The ritual is symbolic of the end of winter and the renewal of spring and the regeneration of nature, but for those of us who live year round in South Florida the change of season is not so dramatic.  This makes it even more important that we observe the change in the liturgical “mode.”  For example, we “bury” the Alleluia during the season of Lent; it’s not heard again in our worship until the Great Vigil of Easter on Saturday evening, April 11^th.

For us today, this practice may seem somewhat extreme, but I’m reminded of what the mother superior of one of our religious orders told me years ago: “When we fast, we fast; and when we feast, we feast!”  Lent is the time to fast; not merely to “lose weight” or to make some feeble attempt to identify with the poor; as if that were possible.  Rather, Lent is to help us reflect on the magnificent generosity of God’s grace to us, undeserved and often unrewarded.

Even though we could never “outdo” God in loving and giving, every act of thanksgiving is a step in the right direction.  The Jewish body of literature, the Talmud claims, “One will have to give account in the judgment day of every good thing which one might have enjoyed and did not.”  Or, as I’m fond of saying, “Justice is getting what we deserve, Mercy is not getting what we deserve, and Grace is getting what we don’t deserve.”

I pray each of you has a fruitful Lent.

This Week at St. David’s:

Hospitality Hour – Episcopal Church Women

Daughters of the King – meets at 8:45 a.m. in the Parish Hall, March 1^st and March 8^th

Youth Group – meets Sunday, March 1^st, at 11:15 a.m. in the big Classroom

Women’s Bible Study – Sunday, 11:15 a.m.

Evensong – St. David’s Day at 4:00 p.m., followed by a reception in the Parish Hall

Holy Eucharist – Tuesday 8:30 a.m.

Men’s Bible Study – Tuesday 7:00 p.m.

St. David’s Men’s Organization – meets on Tuesday, March 3^rd at 8:00 p.m.

Adoration – Wednesday, March 4^th, 6:00 p.m.

Holy Eucharist and Rosary – Wednesday 6:30 p.m. 

Stations of the Cross & with a Guided Meditation – Friday, during Lent 6:30 p.m. dates to remember: 2/28, 3/06, 3/13, 3/20, 3/27, 4/03.

Parish Picnic – Sunday March 8^th 1-4:00 p.m. Pavilion #3 at Village Park on Pierson Road

Please Pray – For the sick: Bill, Kim, Joe, Natalie, Steve, Bob, Tania, Linda, Laurie, Francine, Timone, Donna, Ashlyn, Robin. For birthday celebrations: Kati Erickson, Sue Ashe, Jackie Whiting, Jim Philistin. For our expectant mothers: Dani, Andrea.

Daylight Savings Time – will begin at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 8, 2020

Lenten Liturgical Practices:

Each year the holy season of Lent calls us to prayers, fasting, and almsgiving. At this point in history let this not be a mere routine done out of habit. The world, our nation and our community need our prayers. The spirit and character of the season is conveyed to the eye as well as to the ear.

During Lent we follow an ancient Anglican practice. In pre-reformation England, purple was not normally used in Lent. Brocaded silk vestments of all color were given up. Instead, priests wore chasubles of unbleached linen, suggestive of sackcloth. The same was true for altar hangings, but symbols of the Passion, such as crosses and thorns, were painted on them in red and black.

Gold and silverware were likewise removed in place of earthenware vessels. Flowers have traditionally not been used in Lent either. The Gloria and Alleluias are omitted.

In the spirit of self-denial and repentance, these changes strengthen our sense of the meaning of the season and provide a contrast to the solemnity of the Queen of Feasts whereby we celebrate the Lord’s resurrection.

Saint David – Patron of Wales – March 1^st

Saint David was born in Wales about the year 500 and died close to the end of the 6^th century. He was the most famous of the saints in the early church of the British Isles.

He was the son of noble parents and studied in the region of Cardigan. Soon after David became a priest he traveled to a lonely island to study with a blind teacher named Paulinus. There he learned to preach eloquently. One day while preaching many people could not see nor hear him. To help them, the ground under David rose up to become a hill and snow-white dove appeared upon his shoulder. Statues and images show him with a dove, the emblem of peace.

David went on to found monasteries, the last of which in Menevia, a coastal town on the western edge of Britain, where he remained to become its bishop. He was a strict spiritual director. Admission to the monastery was only after ten days of demanding self-denial. David was called “The Waterman” because his monks did not drink the customary beer or wine of the time. At the beginning of the “Dark Ages” when people were being drawn away by pagan religions, he maintained the flame of Christian faith during an age of despair and confusion. He was a patron of education and founded a library in the city. The present cathedral still standing in the ancient city of St. David’s was built on the site of David’s original one. A piece of stone from the monastic ruins in that city is anchored to the base of the altar at St. David’s Church in Wellington.

I suppose some would even be content with “drive through Holy Communion,” if it didn’t interfere with their already frantic schedules.  (Or drive through confessionals.  It could be called “Toot and tell or go to . . . .)  But where is the act of contrition?  Where is the intention to transform and renew one’s behavior and attitude?  What value is in the sign:  ashes, a wedding band, the water of Baptism, without the necessary act of faith and commitment which gives meaning to the sacramental act in the first place?

Maybe I’m old fashioned, but there is something to be said for “shared experiences.”  With the advent of Netflix and digital movies, cinemas were worried that they would be the next victim of technological advance.  Just the opposite has happened.  Movies theatres are still standing.  Athletic events continue to be well attended because people want to cheer together for their team.  Our sacramental worship provides something one cannot receive from sitting at home in front of a TV – specifically the Bread of Life, absolution, fellowship and the shared experience of worshipping together and being edified by God’s Holy Word.   Perhaps there’s something to be said for what our Church has to offer, because “All Change is not growth, and all movement is not forward.”

Please take advantage of the traditional disciplines of prayer, fasting, study and almsgiving during this holy season; and here’s wishing you a holy season of Lent.

This Week at St. David’s

Congratulations – to those children who have completed their First Communion preparation and will be receiving the Sacrament for the first time: Mia Hogan, Jackson Hogan, Tristan Barreca, Wyatt Barreca, Caleb Stepp.

Hospitality Hour – Episcopal Church Women

Women’s Bible Study – Sunday, 11:15 a.m.

No mass Tuesday morning, February 25^th

Men’s Bible Study – No meeting – please join us at the Pancake Supper

Rummage Sale – sponsored by the Episcopal Church Women – today

Pancake Supper – Shrove Tuesday – February 25^th, 5:30 p.m.

Ash Wednesday – February 26^th, 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Youth Group – meets next Sunday, March 1^st, at 11:15 a.m. in the big Classroom.

Evensong – St. David’s Feast Day, Sunday March 1^st, 4:00 pm

Parish Picnic – Sunday March 8^th         1-4:00 p.m. Pavilion #3 at Village Park on Pierson Road

Stations of the Cross & Meditation – Friday, during Lent 6:30 p.m. dates to remember: 2/28, 3/06, 3/13, 3/20, 3/27, 4/03.

Please Pray – For the sick: Natalie, Steve, Bob, Tania, Michelle, Toni, Linda, Laurie, Francine, Timone, Donna, Ashlyn, Robin. For birthday celebrations: Anne Guillaume. For wedding anniversaries: Dennis & Yvonne Wright. For our expectant mothers: Sofia and Dani.

Flower & Candles – dates are available for designation of altar flowers for $40.00

Valentine’s Day can be a lonely day for some people- even couples, but it’s never a bad idea to pray for all couples, and particularly that their relationships manifest the same grace and love of Christ for His Church, even to the point of offering his own life for those he loves. In the Eastern Church, there’s a tradition that both the bride and groom wear a crown on their wedding day. But over time, crowns give way to curlers, and a man’s majesty gives way when “the king” can’t find his socks! Maybe that’s why we consider marriage a sacrament in the Church; it’s a journey which, if entered into realistically and nurtured by God’s grace, can indeed grow into an “outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace,” as the Prayer Book catechism defines it. Marriage is like the journey of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus following the Resurrection, who only gradually recognize Jesus in their midst as a companion on the way; through the discoveries and disappointments, the Good Fridays and the Easter Sundays. As has been said, “Marriage is not simply gazing adoringly into each other’s eyes; but looking together in the same direction.”

This Week at St. David’s

Bunco – Saturday, February 15th 6:00 p.m. – $10pp – 3 winners – potluck

Youth Group – meets Sunday, February 16th, at 11:15 a.m. in the big schoolroom

Hospitality Hour – Daughters of the King

Women’s Bible Study – Sunday, 11:15 a.m.

Holy Eucharist – Tuesday 8:30 a.m.

M000en’s Bible Study – Tuesday 7:00 p.m.

Holy Eucharist And Rosary – Wednesday 6:30 p.m.

Rummage Sale sponsored by the Episcopal Church Women – Saturday February 22nd & Sunday February 23rd

Pancake Supper – Shrove Tuesday – February 25th, 5:30 p.m.

Ash Wednesday – February 26th, 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Evensong – St. David’s Feast Day, Sunday March 1st, 4:00 pm

Parish Picnic – Sunday March 8th, 1-4pm, Pavilion #3 at Village Park on Pierson Road

Stations of the Cross – Friday, during Lent 6:30 p.m.

Please Pray – For the sick: Steve, Bob, Tania, Michelle, Toni, Linda, Laurie, Francine, Timone, Donna, Ashlyn, Robin. For birthday celebrations: Dawn LaBorde, Jedidiah Kalphat, Dennis Wright, Howard Barrett. For our expectant mother: Sofia. For the faithful departed: Larry Saifman

Flower & Candles – dates are available for designation of altar flowers for $40.00

I remember many years ago a priest in our diocese, while on sabbatical, dressed up in a vagrant’s outfit, grew a beard, and totally changed his appearance.  He visited his own parish one Sunday incognito, and was sad to find that he was completely ignored, and in some cases, people even went out of their way to avoid him – totally oblivious to his true identity!

So, I remind all of us again, to welcome the stranger as if we were welcoming Christ Himself.  Make the effort to extend a hand and simply say, “Hello,” to those whom we may not know by name or face. If it helps, here are a list of things not to say to a visitor.

1. You can’t sit in that pew, it belongs to the Doe family.
2. We’d like you to wear this red bull’s eye on your forehead so everyone will know that you’re visiting.
3. OH, we’re so glad that you’re here; our offerings are down this year.
4. Would you like to teach Vacation Bible School?  It won’t take much of your time.
5. The bathroom?  Just down the hallway on the right, take a left at the stairs, go down two flights, third door on the left.
6. A nursery?  Maybe someday if we have enough children.
7. The Hispanic/Asian/African-American church is just down the street.
8. Oh, thank God – fresh blood.
9. Here’s what you’ll need for the service:  our leaflet, the readings, the prayer book, hymnal, supplemental text, song sheet, and notices.
10. Have you ever been on a vestry – we need a new Property Committee Chairman?

THIS WEEK AT ST. DAVID’S

ECW Sunday – Feb. 9^th – As a token of our appreciation to the parishioners for their support throughout the year, we will be giving a red carnation to each household after the 8am and 10am masses today.

Blood Drive – sponsored by Outreach – today, Sunday, February 9^th, 8:30am-12noon

Hospitality Hour – St. David’s Men’s Organization

Women’s Bible Study – Sunday, 11:15 a.m.

Holy Eucharist – Tuesday 8:30 a.m.

Men’s Bible Study – Tuesday 7:00 p.m.

Holy Eucharist & Rosary – Wednesday 6:30 p.m.

Cursillo Reunion– Sunday, February 9^th, 12:00- 3:00 in the parish hall

Episcopal Church Women (ECW) – Meeting  Friday, Feb. 14^th  11:00 a.m. Lunch follow the meeting.  Nancy Schroeder (561)792-0244 or e-mail schroeder.nancy@gmail.com.  All ladies are welcome to join us!

Bunco – Saturday, February 15^th 6:00 p.m. – $10pp – 3 winners – potluck

Youth Group – meets next Sunday, February 16^th, at 11:15 a.m. in the big schoolroom

Rummage Sale – sponsored by the Episcopal Church Women – Saturday February 22^nd & Sunday February 23^rd

Pancake Supper for Shrove Tuesday – February 25^th, 5:30 p.m. – sponsored by the St. David’s Men’s Organization

Ash Wednesday – February 26^th, 8:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Evensong – St. David’s Feast Day, Sunday March 1^st, 4:00 pm

Parish Picnic – Sunday March 8^th 1-4 p.m. Pavilion #3 at Village Park on Pierson Road

Stations of the Cross – Friday, during Lent 6:30 p.m.

Please pray – For the sick: Steve, Bob, Tania, Michelle, Toni, Linda, Laurie, Francine, Timone, Donna, Ashlyn, Robin. For birthday celebrations: Rohan Wolliston, Jim McKeown, Ralph Robinson, Britney LaBorde. For wedding anniversaries: Desmond & Ann Chambers. For our expectant mother: Sofia. In thanksgiving for life at the birth of Joseph W. to Megan Taylor & Joey Piconcelli.

Flowers & Candles – dates are available for designation of altar flowers for $40.00