Author: St B Parish

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The Twelve Days of Christmas

What are the Twelve Days of Christmas?

The twelve days of Christmas, or Christmastide, begin at sunset on Christmas Eve and end on the Eve of The Epiphany, or Twelfth Night, on January 5th.

What about the Christmas Carol of the same name?

As the legend goes, religious wars in sixteenth century England made it dangerous to be a Catholic. Many people practiced their faith in secret. Catholic families developed unique ways to secretly pass the faith onto their children, like “The 12 Days of Christmas.” The well-known song was used to teach children about the Church.

The First Day of Christmas: A Partridge in a Pear Tree
A partridge in a pear tree symbolizes Jesus Christ, with the partridge representing Christ’s willingness to sacrifice himself and the pear tree symbolizing the cross.

The Second Day of Christmas: Two Turtle Doves
Two turtle doves represents the first and second testaments of the Bible.

The Third Day of Christmas: Three French Hens
Three French hens are the gifts of Faith, Hope, and Charity that define this day

The Fourth Day of Christmas: Four Calling Birds
The original song lyrics were “four colly birds.” Colly meant black.
So, it could be thought of as four blackbirds or ravens. When a raven
caws, you hear it, just as the Gospel calls out for each of us to hear it.

The Fifth Day of Christmas: Five Gold Rings
The five golden rings are the most valuable of gifts in the original
song. This is also where the song lyrics take a dramatic pause. On a
religious level, the rings represent the first five books of the Old
Testament, or the Pentateuch. These books are the history and law
given by God to Moses.

The Sixth Day of Christmas: Six Geese A-Laying
The geese laying represents creating a new life as God created all
things.

The Seventh Day of Christmas: Seven Swans A-Swimming
Swans are graceful water creatures. The number seven represents the
seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. These are wisdom, understanding,
counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord.

The Eighth Day of Christmas: Eight Maids A-Milking
A milking cow is working. But the rewards of this work are sweet. Look to the beatitudes here as this is how God wants us to treat
others.

The Ninth Day of Christmas: Nine Ladies Dancing
Nine ladies dancing represent the nine fruits of the spirit: love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. When your life displays the fruits of the spirit, you become a wonderful expression of action and grace to others.

The Tenth Day of Christmas: Ten Lords A-Leaping
These Lords refer to the English Parliament’s House of Lords. They
were lawmakers so this loosely symbolizes the Ten Commandments.
As for why the Lords are leaping, one interpretation suggests that
maybe a higher law given by God could make them leap?!

The Ten Commandments

  1. I am the Lord thy God; thou shalt have none other gods but me.
  2. Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven image, nor the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, or in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down to them, nor worship them.
  3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
  4. Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all that thou hast to do; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.
  5. Honour thy father and thy mother.
  6. Thou shalt do no murder.
  7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
  8. Thou shalt not steal.
  9. Thou shalt not bear false witness.
  10. Thou shalt not covet.

The Eleventh Day of Christmas: January 04
Eleven Pipers Piping
Pipers were known for music that relaxed people. They also led
people in marches during the Middle Ages. These 11 pipers represent
the apostles of Jesus (minus Judas) who led the way for Jesus’
teaching around the world.

The Twelfth Day of Christmas: January 05
Twelve Drummers Drumming
Drummers keep people in line and stepping in unison, all with the
same rhythm. The Apostles’ Creed acts as a rhythmic reminder of
beliefs. With 12 main points in the creed, it is a powerful statement of
faith.

The Apostles’ Creed

  1. I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
  2. And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord;
  3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary:
  4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried: He descended into hell.
  5. The third day he rose again from the dead: He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty:
  6. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
  7. I believe in the Holy Ghost,
  8. The holy Catholic Church;
  9. the Communion of Saints,
  10. the Forgiveness of sins,
  11. the Resurrection of the body,
  12. and the Life everlasting. Amen.
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Memorial Service for Linda Dowrey on Jan 6th

“May her soul, and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace, and may light perpetual shine upon them.”

Memorial Service for Linda Dowrey
Saturday, January 6th at noon

A Memorial Service and for longtime parishioner, Linda Dowrey, will be held at the church on Saturday, January 6, 2024 beginning at noon. A catered luncheon reception will follow. Please RSVP to jenniferpempeit@gmail.com if you plan to attend the luncheon.

Directions to the church

Obituary for Linda Dowrey

Linda Caroline (McNutt) Dowrey, passed away peacefully on November 17, 2023, at the age of 85 with her loving family by her side. She was born in Beaver County Pennsylvania on May 31st, 1938, and was the daughter of the late Genevieve Maxine (Turney) McNutt and Robert McNutt. She graduated from Aliquippa High School in 1956, studied at Macmurry college for women in Jacksonville, Illinois in 1957 and 1958. She then attended the University of Houston and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature in 1961. She moved to New York City in 1962 to work for Eastern Airlines as a reservation agent, which was a job she loved. She later transferred to Houston Texas, and then finally to Seattle Washington. She was a free spirit with an appetite for adventure and she loved to travel both nationally and internationally. On January 5th, 1974 she married Carl G. Dowrey and moved to Snohomish, Washington. She also spent time working for Boeing and later, became a legal assistant to her husband. She was an avid reader and poetry lover, she loved watching birds and wildlife. She was fun to be with, and known for her big smile, sunny personality, and solid work ethic.

She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, aunt and grandmother.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by many friends and loved ones, including her sister Vivian Jimenez, her cousin Leslie Swasta, and her husband Gordon Dowrey. She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Pempeit, son, Ian Dowrey, Son, James Dowrey; her four stepchildren who all loved her dearly: Gordon Dowrey, Richard Dowrey, Heather Rizzo, and Robin Dowrey; her nieces Julie Jimenez and Linda McInerney; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren that she loved and adored.

A Memorial Service will be held in her honor at St. Bartholemew’s Anglican Church in Woodinville, Washington, where she and her husband were members for many years. The service will start at noon on January 6, 2024. Lunch reception to follow from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Condolences and personal memories/ stories may be sent to the family at jenniferpempeit@gmail.com.

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December Shepherd’s Staff

The Shepherd’s Staff, our provincial newsletter, is filled with news and photos from parishes around the country. Here are a few of the articles in this month’s issue:

  • Seminary opens registration for spring on-line classes
  • An Advent homily from Bishop Ashman
  • New Deanery established in Arizona
  • Intercessory prayer at St. George’s NV
  • Good News Clubs underway in Las Vegas elementary schools
  • Diocesan ACW plans for 2024 Synod

Download the December 2023 issue.

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Photos from Father Rick Gregory’s Ordination

By the grace of God, on 10 December, the Second Sunday in Advent, the Rev. Rick Gregory was ordained to the Priesthood of Christ’s One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Diocesan Bishop Donald Ashman was joined in the laying on of hands by Bishop Scott Mitchell (Suffragan).

A joyous and delicious luncheon reception followed the liturgy.

Congratulations, Father Gregory!

(Tap on any thumbnail to see the full size photo.)

[Thank you, Robin B., Nancy J., and Alexander C. for the lovely photos]

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Deacon Rick’s Ordination Date Set

God willing, on Sunday, December 10 at 10am, The Rt. Rev. Donald Ashman will ordain Rick Gregory to the Priesthood of Christ’s One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. We invite all friends and members of St. Bartholomew’s to join us for the joyous occasion.

A luncheon reception will follow the liturgy. If you plan to join us for the meal—and we hope you will—please RSVP to Kellie Robertson as soon as possible. Her contact information is listed in the invitation below.

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The Advent Season

Advent is a season of waiting and expectation for Christmas – the birth of Christ, the Nativity of Our Lord. We prepare our homes and hearts for four weeks before Christmas. Advent is also the beginning of a new liturgical year – it concludes the long season of Trinity and leads us into the new church year with hope and patience in preparation for Christmas.

This season was likely first celebrated in the fifth century, originating from the tradition of fasting several times a week, beginning on St. Martin de Tours’ Feast Day (November 11) and concluding on Christmas Day.

In modern times, Advent begins on the Sunday closest to November 30 (the Feast Day of St. Andrew) and concludes on Christmas Eve. This year, Advent begins on December 3.

The Advent Wreath

The use of the wreath and candles during Advent is a longstanding Anglican tradition that was originally adopted by Christians in the Middle Ages as part of their spiritual preparation for Christmas. The practice of lighting the candles each evening can be a helpful spiritual practice. This Liturgy for Lighting The Advent Wreath comes to us from the Province of Christ the King.

Sarum Use

St. Bartholomew’s uses blue vestments and altar paraments during Advent. This is a recovery of an ancient English tradition stemming from Salisbury Cathedral, and so it is referred to as sarum blue. (Sarum being the ancient Latin name for Salisbury.) While the deep blue
conveys a feeling of solemnity, because of its association with the Blessed Virgin Mary, it also conveys the Advent themes of hope and expectation.

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A Homily by Bishop Donald M. Ashman

Sixteenth Sunday After Trinity

Do you ever think that you have reached a point in your life where life is beginning to take more than it gives – that the good old days are gone? We fear getting older; poverty; and the approaching death. Or in today’s Gospel, let us consider the plight of the widow who lost her only son. In her culture she no longer had anyone (any male family member) to provide for her; she stares bleakly at destitution and perhaps malnutrition. And there is even the haunting fear and guilt that her son’s death may be a punishment inflicted on her and her son by God for their sins. But such is not the case. For it is a matter of compassion – the lesson for today. Let me try to illustrate.

There is a taddled story told about a frail old man who many years ago went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year old grandson. The old man had worked hard all his life; now his hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table, but the elderly grandfather’s shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.

The old man’s son and daughter-in-law became increasingly irritated with the mess. “We must do something about grandfather,” said the son. “I’ve had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.” And so the husband and wife set a small table in the corner of the dining room. There, the grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since the grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. When the family occasionally glanced in the grandfather’s direction, they never noticed the tears in his eyes as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled his milk.

The four-year-old grandson watched it all in silence. One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, “What are you making?” Just as sweetly, the boy responded, “Oh, I am making little bowls for you and mama to eat your food in when I grow up.” The four-year-old smiled and went back to his work. But the child’s words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what had to be done.

That evening the husband took his father’s hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days, he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled. In the collect this morning we asked God to let his pity cleanse us and defend us, the Church, because without his pity and mercy we cannot go on. Not everyone we meet is lovable like the grandfather; yet for our souls’ sake, we must be struck down with the same compassion as the husband and wife in the taddled-parable- story. And I would be a liar if I said that it was easy.

So it is important to remember that not everyone we meet is like the lovable but messy old grandfather! Some people will exercise their A- type personalities and not even know how much they have hurt us. Others will be grumpy no matter how cheerful we are. Still others will be downright evil and seek to hurt or misuse us. We will be convinced that they are as dead as the heartless society in the Gospel that would impute sin on a dead man and his mother. I want to make it clear that every one of those people who hurt us want to be loved and it is our job to return love for hurt – or hate. Every one of them had a mother or a father or someone who loved them and perhaps wept – or even now weeps over them. Every one of them is God’s child, whom God wants us to love. So it is that we do God’s work when we take them by the hand and lead them to the table of love. And yes, I know, it sometimes does no apparent good, but sometimes we make a crack in their armor of selfishness and hate; and moreover, every time we try, the more we try, the more our own pride is crushed and the more love and compassion will come our way. What goes around really does come around on earth as it is in heaven!

Bishop Donald M. Ashman is Rector of St. Bartholomew’s.  He was consecrated Bishop Ordinary for the Diocese of the Western States at Saint Peter’s Pro-Cathedral in Oakland, California on April 23, 2016.