Clergy Notes — September 27, 2026

The feast of St. Michael and All Angels is a special one for me, as it marks the first time I preached at St. James’ when I first arrived here, as well as the beginning of my ministry as your Rector. The Feast of St. Michael is also special to Fr Matthew, as it marks his anniversary of ordination to the priesthood. And, this year, it will mark the beginning of his retirement as Street Outreach priest: a ministry that has become iconic in this Diocese and well beyond.

St. Michael the Archangel appears in the book of Revelation doing battle with Satan, and it is largely because of this that he is known as defender of the faith and protector against evil. Fr Matthew and I share a strong belief that St. Michael’s role as guardian has often blessed the SOI and the members who undertake its ministry. It seems fitting at this time then, that we should call upon St. Michael to pray with and for Fr Matthew and his family, and for the ministry of St James’ and the Street Outreach Initiative. All of us will be undergoing great changes, and we may be comforted to know that we have such a strong ally.

Fr Matthew’s ministry has been a steady and comforting presence here at St. James’ for a long time. He has touched a great many lives, and impacted us all in countless ways. There will – quite rightly! – be much rejoicing for him as he enters into a well-earned retirement, and celebration for his ministry. No one could have earned the sweet words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” more than he.

And also, no doubt there will be some anxiety about what happens next: to the Street Outreach, and the people Fr Matthew’s ministry has touched so deeply. Rest assured, the SOI will live on… the search for a successor priest has begun, and there are many other faithful members of the team who continue to devote time and love to the streets of the DTES. The shape of SOI going forward will necessarily look different, but it is a ministry whose impact is far greater than any one person may accomplish – even a person as faithful and beloved as Fr Matthew.

May we take courage and inspiration from Fr Matthew’s ministry, and from the mighty Archangel Michael, now and in the times to come.

Every blessing,

Mother Amanda

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Clergy Notes — September 20, 2026

The beginning of September always feels like the beginning of a new year to me – I guess those childhood ‘back to school’ preparations every fall really made their mark! New pencils and notebooks – fresh supplies that seemed to carry with them the promise of new possibilities – new teachers; new classrooms; new subjects and classmates to look forward to.

Of course, as we are all too aware, September as an adult is quite different! Meetings, deadlines, family and work responsibilities, have long since taken the place of pencils and classrooms. And even those ‘mature students’ going back to classrooms will likely agree, the pressures are much different as an adult. Yet, there is still a hint of ‘something in the air’ if we can stop long enough to feel it. The trouble is, I don’t think we stop often enough at all.

Busy schedules, especially those that seem to come upon us suddenly after a slower-paced summer, tend to make us feel like we have to jettison anything that isn’t a priority, and what I’ve noticed is that – for many people – the first thing to get dropped is social connection. Whether getting together with colleagues, friends, or family, there seems to be a tendency to think of relational obligations as ‘optional’.

I’d like to encourage all of us to reconsider that perspective. In a world that continuously crowds our personal and professional space with technology, automation, and efficiency, perhaps we should ask ourselves: where am I nurturing my HUMANITY? What activities do I intentionally give time to invest in relationships, rather than productivity? What – or who – is feeding my soul?

Perhaps this week you might call a friend you haven’t seen in awhile. Or meet with a colleague for a drink or a chat. Maybe schedule time to do an activity you love. Ask yourself: what is really a priority for me? As Barbara Brown Taylor says, “The great wisdom traditions of the world all recognize that the main impediment to living a life of meaning is being self-absorbed.”

Every blessing,

Mother Amanda

Click here to find the Liturgy at Home for Sunday

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