Dear Friends in Christ,

In these last few Minis before my retirement I wish to highlight certain aspects of those ministries that have touched me the most.

One ministry that comes to mind immediately is worship. Our worship is glorious! In following the life of Jesus, whether expressing the pathos of Holy Week, joy of Easter, the anticipation of Advent or the miracle of Christmas, His life becomes more part of our lives.

I will never forget those Christmas Eve celebrations, concluding with the singing of Silent Night, or the memorable service in 1988 commemorating Dunstan’s millennium and our congregation’s 40th anniversary, or the glorious funerals filled with hope of eternal life. Last but not least, I will take away the sense of joy, having participated in the many service settings, especially the Lord’s Prayer, in which our hearts soar, written by Greg, our church musician.

Finally, this brings me to Holy Week, (Palm/Passion Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday) the Great Vigil and Easter Day. The Great Vigil on Easter Eve is the Queen of Feasts, capsulizing in one celebration the complete drama of our faith. If you have not experienced the Vigil, I invite you.

Like a play, the Vigil is divided into four acts: the service of light in which the fire is lighted, illuminating the tomb of Christ as the congregation’s candles are lit with the light of Christ. Following the service of light, is the hearing of the written Word of our salvation from Genesis through the prophets. Next is the service of baptism, followed by the last act, the first Eucharist of Easter the singing of the Alleluias. The Great Vigil is the ultimate worship experience in which we encounter the God who saves.

True worship is praise. It brings forgiveness to the guilty, refreshment to the weary, guidance to the perplexed, hope to the bereaved and joy to the participant. Worship is one of those aspects of ministry that has and will always touch my heart.

In Christ’s love, Fr. Fred