What is Candlemas?

Presentation of the Virgin at the Templefresco by Domenico Ghirlandaio, 1486-1490

On February 2nd, we will celebrate the feast of The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, commonly called the Purification of the Saint Mary the Virgin, or Candlemas. This year, the holy day falls on a Sunday. The Tables of Precedence in our prayer book give this holy day “precedence of any other Sunday or Holy Day,” so it will replace of the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany in our Liturgy this year.

What happened?
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple is a Biblical event that describes Mary and Joseph bringing the baby Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem 40 days after his birth. The event is described in Luke 2:22-32.

Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple to fulfill the Mosaic Law, which required the consecration of the firstborn son to God. Mary also underwent ritual purification as required by Leviticus 12:2-8. Mary and Joseph offered a sacrifice of two turtle doves or two young pigeons, as required by the law.

Simeon and Anna, two devout people who had been waiting for the Messiah, recognized Jesus as the Savior. While there, the aged Simeon took Jesus into his arms, and uttered what we now call the Nunc Dimittis: “Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace…”

When is it celebrated?
The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple” is celebrated by the Orthodox Church and many western churches 40 days after Christmas on February 2nd.

What does it signify?
The feast is called Candlemas because the blessing of candles, which traditionally occurs on this day, recalls Simeon’s declaration regarding Jesus, who is the “light to lighten the Gentiles, and… the glory of thy people Israel.”

The Presentation of Christ in the Temple shows how Jesus fulfilled the Old Covenant. It also shows that God honors pious devotion, and that he fulfills all his promises in Jesus.

The accompanying picture is a fresco by Domenico Ghirlandaio, done in 1486-90 and entitled “Presentation of the Virgin at the Temple. ” It is displayed in the Cappella Tornabuoni, Santa Maria Novella, Florence, Italy.

January 2025 Shepherd’s Staff

The January issue of The Shepherd’s Staff, our provincial newsletter, is full of news, photos, and inspiration from parishes around the province:

  • Photos from Christmas altars around the APCK
  • New online Seminary classes for laity and clergy…register now!
  • Episcopal visitation to Christ Anglican Church (AZ)

Mid-December 2024 Shepherd’s Staff

The mid-December issue of The Shepherd’s Staff, our provincial newsletter, brings us news and photos from parishes around the province:

  • Episcopal visitations to St. Thomas (San Francisco) and St. Mark (Portland)
  • Registration opens for Spring 2025 term at St. Joseph of Arimathea seminary with courses for clergy and laity (audit or credit)
  • Fundraising continues for the New Oxford & Morse House

Advent ~ Christmastide Liturgy Schedule

Sundays Mornings in Advent
December 1, 8, 15, and 22
10:00 am Morning Prayer and the Holy Communion
10:00 am Children’s Sunday School

Tuesday, December 24
Christmas Eve

🌲 5:00 pm Evening Prayer and the Holy Communion

Wednesday, December 25
Christmas Day

🌲 10:00 am Morning Prayer and the Holy Communion

Sunday, December 29
The First Sunday after Christmas

10:00 am Morning Prayer and the Holy Communion
10:00 am Children’s Sunday School

Sunday, January 5
The Second Sunday after Christmas

10:00 am Morning Prayer and the Holy Communion
10:00 am Children’s Sunday School

ACW Advent Ingathering of Baby Items

St. Bartholomew’s ACW is partnering with Catholic Community Services (CCS) during Advent by collecting new and gently used items for the CCS Infant Layette Program.

Every month, CCS distributes layette gift bags to families in need in Snohomish County who have just had a newborn baby. CCS is almost out of supplies and is requesting items from the list below.

Layette items will be collected in the Narthex through December 22. Monetary donations are also welcome. (Make checks payable to the church with “Layette Program” in the memo line, and place them in the offertory plate.)

INFANT LAYETTE ITEM LIST (New or Gently Used)
Diapers SIZE 1 or 2 (diapers size 1 are most needed)
Diaper wipes (most needed)
Onesie T-shirts (sizes S, M, L)
Play and Sleep outfits (sizes S, M, L) (most needed)
Infant socks and/or tights (multiple sizes and colors)
Infant booties and/or shoes
Going Visiting Outfits (sizes S, M, L)
Sleepers (sizes S, M, L)
Hat (cotton/summer type)
Washcloth or Hooded towel
Receiving Blankets
Baby jacket or sweaters
Crib Blanket and Sheets
Children’s Books
Bottles, pacifiers
Rattle and safe infant toys
Baby shampoo
Diaper Bag

QUESTIONS? Speak with any ACW member, or contact Anne F.

Why Do We Pray for the Dead?

The Columbarium at St. Bartholomew’s

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

With All Souls’ Day coming up we may wonder, Why do we pray for the dead?” Francis Hall explains in Dogmatic Theology (Vol. X),

“Praying for the departed was a widespread custom among ancient gentilic peoples; and the custom is abundantly justified by the principle whatever we may rightly desire we may also pray for, and by the consideration that the assurance at death of a soul’s final beatification does not eliminate from its intermediate state the contingencies of progress which afford occasions for prayer…To pray for each other is the most effective method and support of the communion of saints, and if the barrier of death does not, surely it does not, break the mystical bond between the living and the departed, the living should pray for the departed.”

Faithfully yours
Fr. Rick Gregory

The Collect for All Souls’ Day

O GOD, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful: grant unto the souls of thy servants and handmaids the remission of all their sins; that through devout supplications they may obtain the pardon they have always desired. Who with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, livest and reignest God, world without end. Amen.