Bishop Williams, a farmer’s son, was born in Richmond, Virginia, on July 18, 1829, and brought up in straitened circumstances by his widowed mother. He attended the College of William and Mary and the Virginia Theological Seminary. Ordained deacon in 1855, he offered himself for work in China, where he was ordained priest in 1857. … [Read more…]
Nicholas Ferrar (1592– 1637) was the founder of a religious community at Little Gidding, Huntingdonshire, England, which existed from 1626 to 1646. His family had been prominent in the affairs of the Virginia Company, but when that company was dissolved, he took deacon’s orders, and retired to the country. At Little Gidding, his immediate family … [Read more…]
Sunday, November 29, marks the beginning of Advent, a season in the Church’s year when Christians are encouraged to reflect on their need for a savior. We sing songs and read Bible passages, some of which recall how the ancient Israelites longed for the coming of the Messiah (in Greek, “Christ”), God’s champion who would … [Read more…]
The American holiday of Thanksgiving means a lot of different things to different people. Many suppose that the holiday originated with the Pilgrims of Plymouth colony, who in 1621 shared a feast with their Native American neighbors and then sat down with them to watch football. In normal years, families gather to recreate that event. … [Read more…]
Edmund ascended the throne of East Anglia at the age of fifteen, one of several monarchs who ruled various parts of England at that period in her history. The principal source of information about the martyrdom of the young king is an account by Dunstan, who became Archbishop of Canterbury ninety years after Edmund’s death. … [Read more…]
Collect of the Day Hilda, Abbess of Whitby, 680 O God, your blessed Son became poor for our sake, and chose the Cross over the kingdoms of this world: Deliver us from an inordinate love of worldly things, that we, inspired by the devotion of your servant Hilda, may seek you with singleness of heart, … [Read more…]
Hugh was born into a noble family at Avalon in Burgundy (France). He became a canon regular at Villard-Benoit near Grenoble. About 1160 he joined the Carthusians, the strictest contemplative order of the Church, at their major house, the Grande Chartreuse, of which he became the procurator. With great reluctance, he accepted the invitation of … [Read more…]
St. Margaret of Scotland November 16 is the feast day of St. Margaret of Scotland. Margaret was born around the year 1045. She was a member of the English royal family, the sister of Edgar Aetheling. She fled to Scotland after the invasion of England by William (the Conqueror) in 1066. She married Malcolm III, … [Read more…]
Winter weather and Prayer It’s time to get ready for dark and stormy days. Pray for those traveling over the mountain passes. This may raise a question: why pray? If God is all-powerful and in control, what difference do our prayers make? Won’t he protect travelers, or not, as he chooses? That’s a good question. … [Read more…]
Veterans Day, a federal holiday, is celebrated on November 11. The date recalls the signing of the armistice that ended World War I in 1918. This is a day to remember with gratitude the men and women who have served, and those that continue to serve, in our armed forces to keep America safe from … [Read more…]
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