Archbishop Anne Germond, Acting Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, kept up the long-standing annual tradition of previous Primates, delivering the homily at the New Year’s Day service at Christ Church Cathedral in Ottawa.
Thanking Bishop Shane Parker for the warm welcome to the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa, she observed “that on the day the secular world is picking up and recovering from the party of the night before, the church’s first act of the New Year is rather counter-cultural. Not huddled in fear or darkness but gathered at the brightest time of the day for a communal feast as Christians have done from time immemorial. Here we are, the body of Christ, ready to offer this year to the Lord, to pray for the church and the world, and to take Jesus into ourselves. And then strengthened by one another and His body, fully prepared to face the world and live and proclaim the gospel.”
Germond said that her time as Acting Primate, since Archbishop Linda Nicholls retired in September, has given her reasons to feel optimistic about the future of the church. “As I catch glimpses of our church in every corner, I see such generosity of spiritual leadership and of time, talent and worldly goods,” she said. “My great hope is that our parishes, dioceses, provinces and national church will continue to be vital places of worship and service where everyone knows they are a “someone” and that they belong. And a place where through good teaching and formation all are invited to deepen their life in Christ.”
Looking ahead to the meeting of the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada later in the year, she noted that the chosen theme of the gathering, “‘They will soar on wings like eagles’ (Isaiah 40:31) has a strong focus on hope, strength and renewal. At this synod we will be electing our 15th Primate, who will lead us prayerfully with strength and courage and a healthy dose of realism into a new and exciting, but unknown future.”
Mentioning global issues such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, an intensified war in the Middle East, the climate crisis, and widespread poverty and hunger, both at home and abroad, Germond acknowledged that political, social and economic crises only seem to be deepening and that the church is not immune to these challenges. “We all know the tough decisions that lie ahead, and in some ways, it feels as though the very foundations of our world are being shaken. ‘Where shall we go, or to whom shall we turn?’ she asked.
“Look up, I say. Do not be afraid. Your Redeemer has come, and today, eight days after the Feast of the Incarnation, we mark the day He was named Jesus—Emmanuel, God with us,” she said. “The One who stood with us in our COVID fear, to whom we have prayed in every moment of darkness and despair, stands with us still, offering everything the world cannot give. The One whose ‘name is above every name’ has come as one of us in great humility into the very depths of our bondage and despair to bring us hope. This Jesus, named today, is the One who is totally and utterly trustworthy.”
And she offered this inspiration for stepping into a new year of unknowns and challenges: “Let’s do it by singing a new song to the Lord, remembering that we are never alone in any struggles we might face and that together we embody the love and humility that Christ exemplified.
“Paul’s letter incorporates what is believed to be one of the earliest Christian hymns. I wonder why Paul, who was never ever at a loss for words, let a hymn speak for him?” she asked. “Perhaps it was, as one writer said, ‘because the very act of singing is itself a way of supplanting fear with audacity.’ The act of singing together has always been a powerful act of faith and solidarity. It transcends mere words, offering a communal expression of confidence in God….
“Our habit and practice of singing together as the church is one of the oldest ways of reaching down, down, down into the depths of who we are to draw from the wellspring of life and abundance there is in Jesus,” the Archbishop said. “As we begin a new year, let us embrace His love as an active, communal force—a love that sustains, transforms and unites. And let us go out into the world singing and rejoicing to make the holy and precious name of Jesus and His love be known.”
The full text of Archbishop Anne Germond’s homily is available on the Anglican Church of Canada website and the full service can be viewed here.
Le repentir : Le chemin de la vie