St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

At St. Paul’s Parish today, March 27, 2008:

• Choir Practice at 7:00 p.m. (in the Church).

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The Collect for Thursday in Easter Week from The Book of Common Prayer:

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Although supplanted by the celebration of Easter Week, March 27 is usually the commemoration of Bishop Charles Henry Brent, who was appointed in 1902, the Episcopal Church’s Missionary Bishop of the Philippines.

Bishop Brent directed his efforts toward the non-Christians of his diocese: the pagan Igorots of the mountains of Luzon, the Muslims of the southern islands, the Chinese settlements in Manila, all areas in which he made considerable inroads and established thriving Christian communities. He arrived on the same ship with the American Governor, William H. Taft, and carried with him the unofficial but very real prestige of the American establishment. Among his ministries while in the Philippines was a crusade against opium traffic, which he expanded to the continent of Asia. He became President of the Opium Conference in Shanghai in 1909.

Bishop Brent was also a committed ecumenist. His experiences in the Philippines had aroused in him a strong concern for the cause of visible Christian unity. He wrote:

The unity of Christendom is not a luxury, but a necessity. The world will go limping until Christ’s prayer that all may be one is answered. We must have unity, not at all costs, but at all risks. A unified Church is the only offering we dare present to the coming Christ, for in it alone will He find room to dwell.

The Collect for Bishop Brent’s feast day from Lesser Feasts and Fasts:

Heavenly Father, whose Son prayed that we all might be one: Deliver us from arrogance and prejudice, and give us wisdom and forbearance, that, following your servant Charles Henry Brent, we may be united in one family with all who confess the Name of your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.