Vicar's News - 17 August 2025
- Fr Ian
- 14 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Hubert and Jan Van Eyck, The Ghent Altarpiece: Virgin Mary, 1432
Mary, mother of our Lord
Anglicans recognise Mary as the Mother of God (the Theotokos, in Koine Greek), acknowledging that she gave birth to Jesus, who is both fully human and fully divine.
We acknowledge her as a significant figure due to her role in the Incarnation and her example of faith, and we see her as a model of faith and obedience. Her example of accepting God's will is seen as a valuable lesson for all Christians.
Whilst Mary is honoured as the Mother of God, her role is generally viewed with more restraint compared to some other Christian traditions, such as the Roman Catholic and the Orthodox churches. Anglicans tend to avoid excessive veneration or the elevation of doctrines not explicitly supported by scripture. We venerate Mary (give her respect and honour), but they do not worship her, as worship is reserved for God alone.
The Feast of 'Mary, Mother of Our Lord' is the Anglican name for the Roman Catholic 'Assumption' and the Orthodox 'Falling Asleep of Mary', which are specific for those denominations's teaching. Anglicans generally do not accept doctrines which detract from Mary's ordinary humanity through which Christ derives his humanity. However, everyone is entitled to their own considered belief.
Music on Sunday
Mary, Mother of our Lord
CANTOR EUCHARIST @ 10.00 AM
Prelude: Choral Dorien – Jehan Alain (1911-1940)
Hymns: Processional Come down, O love divine
Gradual For Mary, Mother of the Lord
Thanksgiving For the beauty of the earth
Post Communion Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
Setting: St. Andrew’s Mass – Timothy Mallis (b.1996)
Psalm: 113 (RSCM) – Ferguson in C
Anthem: Ave Maria – Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
Motet: Aus Liebe will mein Heiland sterben BWV 244 – J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
Postlude: Litanies - Jehan Alain (1911-1940)
Parish Dinner with the Choir
An evening view of our Eastern Courtyard and Vicars' Cloister
What a great evening on Wednesday for our Parish Dinner with the Choir. Thank you to Brighton Grammar (Ross, Emily and Susie) for use of their space - The 1882 Gallery and Russell Café, with dinner by the BGS caterers - Pinwheel. Special thanks to Felicity Stretch and the SACPA team for assisting with the setting up and removing evidence of wine before school started the following day. To Mario and Calvin, the Lay Clerks and the Choral Scholars, thank you for an entertaining evening.
There were choral solos by Katie, Jared, Ethan, Phoebe & Anthony. Over dinner, Mario interviewed the three men leaving the choir next month (to prepare for the VCE) - Jared, Justin & Rocco about their choir journeys and their future plans. Thank you to all of the 108 people who attended.
There were a number of choral works performed by the whole choir,
with a special audience participation hymn.
Lady Chapel
The tradition of Lady Chapels in Anglican churches dates back centuries, with many examples from the Gothic and Renaissance period, particularly in cathedrals. In larger churches, Lady Chapels are often the most prominent side chapel, positioned at the east end, behind the high altar. They may feature elaborate decorations, stained glass, and statues dedicated to Mary, and serve as spaces for prayer, devotion, and reflection.
Our Lady Chapel has been without a Marian feature, except for the recent addition of a small sculpture, since the tapestry by Beryl Dean brought down the chapel's altar ceiling panel to which it was poorly attached. The tapestry was found to have deteriorated to such an extent that it was irreparable unless completely remade, and the Wardens determined that it should be retired. I understand that it was not the most popular decoration, despite its provenance, and has not been greatly missed.
Recently the Parish Council voted on a replacement artwork, seeking to ensure that, for the reasons stated above about Mary mother of our Lord, that Jesus was also included in the portrait. The painting which proved most popular among members of the Parish Council is shown above. It is is part of the collection of the Pinacoteca Comunale di Cesena in Italy, painted by the artist popularly known as 'Il Sassaferrato'.
An enlarged copy will be reproduced in a shadow-box frame and hung behind the altar in our Lady Chapel. A faculty will be obtained from the Diocese of its placement.
Studies on the Creed
The final in our series on the Nicene Creed will be held on Sunday at 11.30am
in the Parish Hall.
Meditation Mondays - Lectio Divina
Joyful and refreshed participants in this week's Lectio Divina adjourning for coffee at Mazi.
You are welcome to join the meditation on Monday mornings at 9.30am in the Lady Chapel.
Weekday Baptisms
Recently we have 2 adults baptised in separate ceremonies during the week, one a parishioner, and the other an attendee at our Lectio Divina meditation session that week. We wish them all the best as they begin their journey as members of the church of God.
Funeral - Ian Mence OAM
As anticipated, a large congregation of Brighton locals and BGS Old Boys gathered to farewell Ian on Thursday of last week. The event made media headlines with Ian's son, David, disclosing the whereabouts of the school bell from Wesley College, missing since the 1950s.
A magnificent performance of 'Pie Jesu' by our choir lay clerks,
Kate Macfarland and Ethan Rowe was sung during the service.
This week at St Andrew's
Rosters
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