Eucharist, or Holy Communion, is the ceremony that recalls and celebrates Jesus’ last supper with his followers before his death. Bread and wine are shared by the congregation members in remembrance of Jesus’ faithfulness to his call to fulfill God’s mission.
Hymns are traditional songs sung in church services. Typically, there is a simple tune that is repeated for each hymn verse. Sometimes there is a refrain (the same as a chorus in modern pop or rock music), that is repeated at the end of each verse. While we tend to think of hymns as traditional music used in church communities, many of our so-called traditional hymns had words composed to accompany popular music of the day. That is, religious lyrics were added to well known contemporary music in a particular era!
Votive candles are small candles, usually narrow but sometimes in flat shapes like tea light candles, used in community worship. They are lit to assist individuals pray for loved loves, for other concerns, or to give thanks to God’s for things in our lives that we’re grateful for. The votive candle is lit directly from a large candle or from a taper (a candle wick encased in a thin layer of wax, that functions like a match). Sometimes votive candles are placed in a sand tray after they’re lit (this is what happens at St Michael’s) or placed next to a row of other votive candles in a wooden candle holder. The presence of a collection of lit votive candles can remind the individual praying that their prayer is one of many that a community of people collectively bring to God; and can symbolise that even when words fail us God’s Spirit can pray within us, lightening the darkness of our concerns, fears and uncertainties. St Michael’s On their way back to their seats each person has the opportunity to light a votive candle and place it in the sand bowl as part of a silent prayer for a loved one, of gratitude or for some other need that is on their heart and mind.
The church year is a calendar in which different seasons and festivals are listed to be celebrated over a 12-month period. Unlike conventional calendars used in Western countries like Australia, which go from 1 January to 31 December, the church calendar begins about a month before Christmas on the last Sunday in November or first Sunday in December November, and finishes twelve months later. The central seasons for Anglican Christians and those of many other church denominations are Advent (including Christmas), marking the coming of Christ; and Lent (including Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Day), remembering the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus. Other important seasons include Pentecost, often called the birth of the church and commemorated usually in May (50 days after Easter Day); and the Season of Creation, which includes St Francis’ Day – celebrated on 4 October.
Parish Council, elected annually by the congregation to assist parish decision making, is the primary decision-making body in Anglican parishes. Within St Michael’s, we also have a Parish and Community Engagement Team, that plans events and activities build connection between St Michael’s parishioners. and also between them and the wider community.