Words of Encouragement
from Fr. Tom Albinson
At this time of the year I reflect on my vocation as a member of the clergy. I was made a Deacon on the 30 th June, 2012 and ordained Priest on 22 nd June, 2013.

This year I was looking back over the first part of the Declaration the Bishop made in my ordination service.

Bishop: “Priests are called to be servants and shepherds among the people to whom they are sent... and to guide them through its confusions, that they may be saved through Christ for ever.” The full text of the Declaration is found here .

I was struck by the phrase ‘through its confusions’, as these past months have certainly been filled with confusion. Part of that confusion is due to what we as a Church can ‘do’ has been limited and/or changed by the pandemic. Yet the one thing that has not been filled with confusion is what the Church is called to ‘be’.

The declaration I heard from the Bishop seven years ago also left no confusion on that matter. He reminded all who were there that “With all God’s people, they [the new priests] are to tell the story of God’s love”.

The Church’s role is to tell the story of God’s love, that is what we are to ‘be’. This is our common vocation. We should not lose sight of that calling whatever the confusion that might be around us.

I am thankful that I get to share this ministry with you all as we change and adapt to the world around us. One part of that change for me has been this Friday slot for the daily Words of Encouragement. This recent change is going to be changing, as next month we shall be moving to the Words of Encouragement to once a week on a Wednesday. This is so we have time to prepare for our Sunday in-person worship and plan programs as the program year starts up in the Autumn.

Thank you for your encouragement of me in this time and for your prayers. Please continue to pray for us all at The Church of St. Michael & St. George as we discern what the Holy Spirit is saying to the Church.

God Bless,
Tom +
  • As we begin to relaunch our in-person liturgies and ministries, CSMSG's Words of Encouragement will move from daily installments to weekly. The clergy and staff have enjoyed sharing their hearts with the parish each day since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic and connecting with many of you through your responses. You can look for the weekly Words of Encouragement each Wednesday beginning July 1. 

  • Please register to attend this Sunday's, June 28th in-person worship services on the home page of our website. Please register by midnight on Friday. Attendance this past Sunday was 41 people at the 8 AM, 62 people at the 10 AM and 19 people at the 5 PM. If you miss the registration deadline we most likely will have room for you in the pews. 

  • The Zoom coffee hour will not take place this Sunday.

  • Be sure to download the Sunday Morning Prayer service leaflet for the online 10 AM service. We join with one voice in the Worship of the living God.  

  • Be on the look out for a phone call from Church Receptionist Becky Arthur or other staff members, as we update our Realm directory.