Father Fish has begun implementing an ambitious plan to offer worship opportunities on many more of the Christian holy days found in both the Book of Common Prayer and other traditional Anglican sources. Many of the holy days are commemorations of important Biblical events such as The Annunciation (The Angel Gabriel's appearance to Mary in Luke 1:26-38},The Visitation (Mary's visit to Saint Elizabeth in Luke 1:39-56), and the Birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:57). Others are remembrances of important historical events such as the conversion of Saint Augustine in 387 and the consecration of the first Anglican bishop for America in 1784, but by far the greatest number of holy days are saints' days, days on which we remember and thank God for the lives and ministries of various significant Christians from times past.
I have been asked a number of times “How does one get to be a saint?” In the most important sense we are all saints. “Saint” is the English version of the Latin “Sanctus,” which simply means “holy.” Holy means “belonging to God,” and since all Christians belong to God we are all saints by definition. But what the question most often means is “How does one get one's name on the Church's calendar? Who decides who is to be remembered and referred to as what I call 'a capital letter Saint?'”
Most of you probably know that in Roman Catholicism there is a detailed and often very lengthy process for this, although the Pope can bypass that process and simply declare someone a Saint without any process or even consultation with anyone. That is not the case in Anglicanism.
There is no one Anglican calendar of holy days and no formal or centralized process for adding Saints to Anglican calendars. Instead, the synod of any diocese or province (a collection of dioceses) may choose to designate a day without any required process or any appeal to a higher ecclesiastical authority. This is essentially similar to the practice of the Roman Catholic Church until the twelfth century and the practice of the Orthodox Churches up to the present.
One reason for this is that the Roman Catholic process normally requires two confirmed miracles performed by the candidate for sainthood, while the more ancient Anglican and Orthodox practice emphasizes examples of exceptional service to God through examples of martyrdom, faithful holy living, or important scholarly or artistic contributions to the life of the Church. I would personally like to see more of the latter. The only one I can recall at the moment is John Mason Neale, a nineteenth century English priest who is responsible for the translations of a number of ancient hymns that are in our hymnal. Given that many thousands of Christians have been moved to conversion and many millions have been informed, inspired, and encouraged by great works of Christian art, I believe that the inclusion in the calendar of artists such as Fra Angelico would be highly appropriate.
The Anglican Catholic Church's calendar as we have it is a wonderful resource for Christian living and for deepening both our spiritual and intellectual lives. It calls us to express our gratitude to God for those who have inspired and enriched our own Christian lives. It offers us opportunities to better understand what the Church is and how God works through it. It also does something that is often now overlooked. In his famous “Liberty or Death” speech Patrick Henry said “ I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past.” The calendar brings much of the experience of the Christian past into the present and thereby better equips us to meet whatever challenges and opportunities the future may bring.
--- Father Bragg+
To do good, and to distribute, forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Today, Friday, May 1, 12 noon and 7:00 PM services, Feast of St. Philip & St. James
Sunday Services, 9:00 AM and 11:15 AM Services, for online participation go to https://www.facebook.com/saintsofscotland
Nursery during both services
Sunday School, 10:30 AM, Rectory, Lower level
Wednesday at Noon – Holy Communion and anointing for healing
Wednesday, 7:30 PM, undercroft, Discussion on the Saints, with Fr. Bragg, all are invited even if you have not been to prior discussions. Fr. Bragg’s class takes a chronological approach to the study of the saints, placing them in the context of their times and places in church history. For online participation go to https://www.facebook.com/saintsofscotland
Thursday, 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM, undercroft, Inquirers class (everyone invited): Since Bishop Johnson will visit the Parish on Sunday, June 14 to offer the rites of Confirmation and Reception. Father Chris is offering an Inquirers’ Class leading up to the Bishop's visit. This class introduces and explores the life, faith, and practice of the Anglican tradition using Archbishop Haverland's primer, Anglican Catholic Faith and Practice. Together we look at the foundations of the Christian faith, the meaning of the sacraments, the structure of the Church, and the distinctive spirituality of Anglican worship shaped by the Book of Common Prayer. It is also an opportunity to ask questions, reflect on one’s own faith journey, and grow in understanding of what it means to live the Christian life within our Church. While the class prepares those who wish to be confirmed and received into the Anglican Catholic Church, anyone who wants to learn more about Anglican faith and practice is warmly invited. If you are new to the parish, exploring Anglicanism for the first time, or attending for years and like a deeper understanding of the Church’s life and teaching, this class is for you. Please let Fr. Chris ( scotlandsaints@gmail.com ) know if you would like to attend.
Saturday, May 16, 8:30 AM, Men's Breakfast, cooked by the one and only breakfast chef extraordinaire Claude Crump, and an always inspirational Bible study and discussion with Father Bragg; good food, good fellowship, and great Bible study!
Monday June 1, 7:30 PM, Vestry Meeting in the undercroft
**** Great summer camp for your children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews:
Anglican Youth Summer Camp June 21-27, 2026 Camp Hanover - 3163 Parsleys Mill Road Mechanicsville, VA 23111 Cost - $625 for 1 week overnight all meals and lodging included Ages 8-15 as of June 1, 2026 more details and registration at: www.dmas-acc.org financial assistance for camp fee available . MaRiH Crisis Pregnancy Center: Updated Critical Needs & More
Instead of presenting the whole list of needs, we are emphasizing the critical needs that MaRiH Center has and listing some other needs. The critical needs list below has just been updated: Diapers, sizes 5 and 6 Spring/Simmer clothing (Boys & Girls), size 0-3 months, size 2T Baby Wipes Baby Blankets Baby formula: Similac Advance Formula Bibs: toddler Other needs: Diapers, newborn, 1, 2, 3, 4 Spring/Summer Clothing, 3-6 month, 9-12 month, 18-24 month, Bibs, infant Maternity clothes (Spring/Summer) Wash cloths Hooded towels Diaper rash ointment There are two options for helping the Center with these needs: Option 1 Amazon has all the specific items needed. You can order the specific item(s) and have them delivered directly to the Center.
The MaRiH Center 3230B Duke Street Alexandria, VA 22314-4521 703-370-4774
Option 2 Go to your local store, purchase the items requested and drop them off at church on Sunday. We will deliver them to the MaRIH Center.
Food Bank Needs
The food bank continues to need our assistance to feed the hungry. Please help this month with a food donation if you are able. Those we help feed are very thankful for the food we provide to them each month. Please also buy low sugar cereals (and not the kid's types that have lots of sugar). Also lower sodium products are better and more healthy.
