Rev. Dr. Stephen Hendry
The Church of the Epiphany
560 Dundas Street
Woodstock, Ontario. N4S 1C7
519-537-3921
PRIEST APPOINTED
Rev. Dr. Stephen J. Hendry
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Dr. Stephen Hendry attended Huron College of Western University where he graduated with a B.A. in Philosophy and an M. Div. Degree.
He was ordained a Priest in 1993 after serving as curate at Trinity Church, Cambridge for two years. He then served in the three-point parish of Port Rowan, Port Burwell, and St. Williams for three years. During this time he served as Regional Dean of Norfolk.
The duration of 1996 to 1999, he served at Trinity Church, Burford.
In 1999, he began serving in Essex County enjoying Colchester, and Malden and then embarked on the successful clustering with the Harrow parish.
Stephen is a graduate of the Pastors of Excellence Program at the Sandberg Leadership Center, through the Ashland Seminary at the Ashland University in Ohio.
Also during his time in Essex, he served as the former chairman of the Deaconate Program at Canterbury College. He was also blessed with the opportunity to be an instructor for Deacon and Lay Reader courses.
He has just completed five and a half years as Rector of St. James Church, Paris, where he has served since May 2006. While rector in Paris, Stephen has completed his Doctorate of Ministry degree in July 2011 with his thesis in Transformational Leadership in the Future Church.
Stephen has several hobbies which include golf, canoeing, karate, and reading.
He feels blessed by his beautiful wife Joyce and four children who range in ages from eighteen to twenty-one.
Rectors Corner
Welcome
We would like to thank our present members and welcome new members to our congregation, our services include, Regular Church Services, Weddings, Baptisms, and Confirmations.
Dear Friends:
It was Easter morning and all that had seemed lost was now found. All those who were crying would soon laugh. All those who were despondent and desperate would soon learn they could depend on God and delight in Christ’s love for them forever. The angels would announce “He is alive; He is not here; for He has been raised” (Matthew 28:6).
Can you imagine being there in the early dark hours of Easter morning? It was two thousand years ago and a few of Jesus’ best friends were out for a walk in the early hours of dawn. They had just lost their best friend. This penniless philosopher with an extraordinary message about love and forgiveness had come to be known to them as Christ. He had a vision that one day all people would be gathered into God’s Kingdom; that every one of us would experience his love and grace forever. There would be no pain, no suffering, no illness, no anger. He had a mission to share God’s love and forgiveness with all humanity. He also had very clear values, morals and ethics that were echoed in every miracle, every word, every personal sacrifice, including the sacrifice of his own life. And now they came in the dark to grieve the Saviour’s death, but God had a better plan!
Surely the resurrection would be enough good news for those who gathered that morning! But there were still so many questions. Why had things happened the way they had? What was the future to hold, and who held the future? It’s important for our spiritual journey to understand how Jesus got to the resurrection. To put it simply, he had faith. Now some would suggest that he was fully divine – God’s only Son, so of course he had faith, but I would propose to you that he was not only divine but simultaneously he was fully human. This means that he had fears, anxieties, frustrations and pain, just like you and me. And yet, somehow in his extraordinary relationship with God he was able to face every challenge with an assurance that he was never alone; God was always there. You and I share that same assurance. God is always there! You are never alone. Our Lord is always standing with you.
There are some fundamental principles that Jesus seemed to live by that once explained, you may have a brand new perspective on how important Jesus’ journey was for you and I. First, from the time of his baptism, Jesus’ knew there was an anointing on his life and that he was called to a special purpose. Second, in the early months of his ministry it became clear that Jesus was capable of much more than he ever thought. God was doing miracles through him. He was able to transform peoples’ lives. He really made a difference with everyone that he met. Thirdly, Jesus was confronted by conflict at every turn and yet, through his private prayer life, he gained phenomenal strength and courage to respond rather than react. Fourthly, somehow God gave him the insight that he needed to surround himself with close friends who would share his journey with him. He would also have the opportunity to place his morals, values and ethics into their lives through stories and experiences, changing them forever. Fifthly, even at his most desperate moment at the Garden of Gethsemane, God did not leave him, but instead allowed honest, blunt, even
painful conversation to be spoken freely in prayer. Sixthly, even at the end of Jesus’ life God had a better plan.
So let’s return to the first point. You see, like Jesus at your baptism there was an anointing on your life. The Holy Spirit came upon you and the angels announced you as a child of God. You were accepted into the community of believers and began an extraordinary spiritual journey with the promise that God would never leave your side. Secondly, like Jesus during the early years of your life, it likely became clear that you were capable of bringing great joy into the lives of others. You were also capable of insight and awareness of God’s presence in your daily experiences. This may have happened all at once or it may have been a gradual process. But the results were the same. God was in your life and when you tapped into the resource of the Holy Spirit you could do things beyond your imagination. Occasionally you could feel a tug at your heart that God wanted more in his relationship with you and over time, you became less resistant and more curious about God’s plan for you. You may have developed an awareness that there is an invitation for you to become more like Jesus every day. Thirdly, like Jesus when you are confronted with conflict, controversy, complacency or even condemnation you have discovered that a strong prayer life is essential. When in prayer you can feel God’s presence and you’re aware of his wisdom and insight flowing through you. Fourthly, as the years have passed you have become aware of the need to surround yourself in positive, healthy, affirming and supportive personal relationships. These are the people you can talk to. These are the people to listen to you without judgement. These are your friends who are even there when you’re in your own Garden of Gethsemane experience. Fifthly, when in the most intense moments of your pain you’ve come to a time where you realize God does not leave you alone. That doesn’t mean there isn’t any pain, but it does mean that He holds your hand through the entire experience. Sixthly, even at the end of your life you will not leave this world alone, but our Lord will take you gently by the hand to be with him in eternity.
This year every effort is being made to ensure that the worship experiences meet your deepest needs. It’s essential that the music, prayers, scripture and sermon reach deep into the heart of your soul. As your pastor it’s my responsibility to position you at the foot of the cross to have a life changing encounter with Jesus Christ this Easter. It’s my hope that you will experience the unspeakable love and grace of Christ this Easter Season.
This Easter I invite you to share in the liturgies of our church. Holy Week is an extraordinary experience and I believe that you will be blessed by each worship experience. There is nothing quite like Maundy Thursday when we remember the Last Supper between Jesus and his best friends and we recall those last moments before Jesus made his way to the Garden of Gethsemane. On Good Friday there is an awesome presence of the Holy Spirit when we take a spiritual journey through our Lord’s experience of his journey to the cross two thousand years ago. And of course, there is Easter morning when we are reminded that through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ we may have life eternal. Thanks to the crucified Christ, who was raised from the dead by God Almighty. Alleluia!
Yours in Christ
The Rev’d Stephen Hendry.
Events
Contact
Church of the Epiphany
Dundas and Wellington
560 Dundas St.
Woodstock, Ontario,
Canada, N4S 1C7
Telephone: 519-537-3921
epiphanych@execulink.com
Messy Church
June 8, 2012
5:00 p.m.
What is Messy Church?
Relaxed and informaql Church with a warm welcom forthe whole family with crafts,m sons, drama, food and plenty of opportunity to have fun and make a mess.
Who is Messy Church for?
Children and Youth of all ages Mom's and Dad's, Grandma's and Grandpa's. It is a place to spend quality time with your children and your grandchildren and make connections with other families.
What does a gathering look like?
5:00 Welcome and snacks
5:15 Crafts and Fun Activities
6:15 Celebration
6:30 Share a meal together
RELAY FOR LIFE
JUNE 15TH
The team captains are David Greenslade and Norma-Jean Bovington. They are looking for participants.
The theme this year is "Field of Dreams"
To Participate or Donate see David or Norma-Jean
Rectors Corner - Click Here
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Tips & Updates
Tips from the parish nurse
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Update Summer 2011
click here for updates
