Displaying items by tag:Reverend Valerie Kenyon

Friday, 23 March 2018 12:35

Rector's Message

Gratitude
by Canon Val
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were
called to peace. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15

While I know a bit “on-the-nose” at this time of year, Gratitude seems to be on my mind a great deal lately. September and October always seem so hectic following the ease of the summer, yet even amid the many activities, I find that the beauty of the season all around me, is calling me to pause and reflect, a process which often leads me to gratitude, and more frequently gratitude for the small things in life.

As creation in this part of the world begins to prepare to sleep, the trees losing their leaves and revealing the simplicity of their silhouettes, the sight of all of God’s creatures securing their stores for the cold winter months, and the surest sign of all, the slow but eventual conclusion of road construction, I find myself grateful for all the love I have received and the love I have been able to share with others. I am also especially grateful for the love of those now seated before the throne of grace, who I see no more, yet whose constant love remains as it ever was, a chord unbroken between us. I am grateful for the great love, God’s love for me that found me early, and continues to find me when I am most in need, this divine love available to us all. All of this brings me peace in the midst of a world that seems to be struggling to find its feet, a world so occupied with pulling apart, that who we are together has been forgotten. Gratitude.

You will find below a prayer entitled “At Eventide”, which contains some expression of these loves I have mentioned. This prayer was written by my grandmother Kate Evans Day Dedman shortly after her daughter, my mother, had left to begin her new life in Canada. Kate had prayed her way through all of her life, including two world wars, and so prayer came to her as effortlessly as breathing. These words contain within them not only the assumption of divine love, but also the richness of the love of many generations.

Why not join me in pausing to cultivate gratitude for a moment or two as you are able. It will feed your soul! I promise.
With deepest gratitude for you all,
Canon Val

At Eventide
Lord, before we close our eyes in sleep we would remember before You our absent ones.
Guard them from all temptation and danger for You are in every place.
In their weariness give refreshment, sleep; and rest.
When lonely, breathe a tender remembrance of our love and expectation.
You who art the Author and giver of love enfold them with us
in Your Everlasting Arms forever and ever
Amen.

Posted under: About Us

Welcome to St. Anne's

Welcome to the website for the congregation of St. Anne's (Byron), an active Anglican (Episcopal) congregation in the western part of London, Ontario. Reverend Canon Valerie Kenyon is our priest. We extend a warm welcome to all visitors, and those looking for a new church home, being blessed with visitors on a regular basis. Our church and parish hall are both wheelchair accessible.

Check out our events calendar to see what is happening in the coming weeks!

As you explore St. Anne’s website you will get a glimpse of the lives and activities of people who make up the family of God at St. Anne’s. There are many more whose names are not recorded here but whose memory is cherished, whose lives have shaped our lives and whose hard work and love of Christ built a foundation stronger than the foundation laid over 170 years ago with field stones and mortar from surrounding farm land, a foundation that is held together by its cornerstone – Jesus Christ. We are not a perfect family; we are a real family who daily put our lives in the hands of a perfect God, who continually conforms us into Christ’s likeness.

Along with Anglicans around the globe, we at St. Anne’s hold the traditional faith of Christians through the ages. We look back with thanksgiving for blessings received and we look ahead with joy, wondering what new song we are to sing unto the Lord. (Psalm 144:9) The holy friendship we share with God and one another makes us a family and the ministry to which every person you see here and beyond these pages is called, leads us into joyful service of the community in which we live. Our work is simple, to worship God, build a relationship with His Son and love one another as Christ has loved us. (John 15:12)

To get the most out of this website, check our Events Calendar for the list of activites and then consider our other menu items such as Church Seasons. Look for updates and current news on our Outreach and Faith and Worship pages.

Did you know that you could donate online to St. Anne's? Whether making a one-time donation or scheduling regular monthly ones, your donation can be made via the CanadaHelps website.

Help St. Anne's raise money by buying cash/gift cards at www.fundscrip.com.
Buy a cash/gift card to any number of participating businesses through St. Anne's and the church receives a commission on your purchase. For less than $1 in postage for online orders, the card comes right to your mailbox. To order online, go to www.fundscrip.com and use code 5MW25S. Payment must be made at the time of purchase.

Posted under: About Us