Hi everyone,
You have heard me talk a lot about Dayspring (our chapel here at Daybreak). Friday night prayer is a night I look forward to with great anticipation.
Wendy is an Anglican priest and is pictured up above on the left next to Peggy, one of the core members from Brookwood house. She helps co-ordinate the prayer of the community along with a worship committee. The first night I arrived here I was blown away with her presiding Anglican Eucharist. It was an absolutely wonderful prayer that left me in tears. I was so awestruck with the fact I was finally listening to a woman preside Eucharist (Anglican tradition). Her voice, her cadence, her rythum, her words sang in my heart. I hung on every word, allowing it to sink deep within my heart. I listened to her words of wisdom, her gentleness, her hospitality and especially her dignity of the core members. Along with Anglican Euccharist, we also celebrate Eucharist in the Catholic tradition and have a communion service with the United Church and also Taize prayer. Our prayer is rich and meaningful and thoughy provoking and welcoming.
To see how the community loves her wonderful. She also was an assistat like me at one time, then head of house, then made the decision to go deeper into this experience.
It only deepens my conviction on how wrong our Church is to deny women the chance to lead faith communities as a priest. Her ordination is a gift to Daybreak and a gem to me on my own spiritual journey. The Church continues to stick its head in the sand and deny Eucharist to communties because of these restrictions. Those making decisions in our Church need to experience liturgies here at Dayspring.
I have had a chance to have lunch with her and feel her minister to me as we talked and shared a meal. Her words of wisdom, her affirmation of my journey and her genuine care touched me greatly. I nominate Wendy for our next Saint....ha!
I have spoke about her and just wanted you to see her and put a face to her. She is a blessing to us. Until next time!
Jeff
