This past All Saints’ Sunday we were blessed with a gathering of clergy, musicians, and parishioners as Fr. Brian Foos, Canon Sean George, and Bishop Francis Lyons joined us for worship. Their presence helped make the feast day a true celebration of the communion of saints and the unity we share across the Anglican Church in North America and the Reformed Episcopal Church.

One of the highlights of the morning was the sermon delivered by Bishop Lyons, who preached on the victory cry in heaven from the acclamation in Revelation—a reminder that All Saints’ is not merely a memorial of the departed, but a proclamation of Christ’s triumph and the unbroken fellowship of His kingdom.

Bishop Frank serves alongside Archbishop Foley Beach, helping provide episcopal pastoral care and leadership within the Anglican Diocese of the South. His ministry includes conducting confirmations and ordinations, supporting the regional deans in their work, and assisting the Archbishop in key areas of oversight and guidance.

Canon Sean carries primary responsibility for guiding candidates through the ordination process in the Anglican Diocese of the South. He additionally serves as Dean of the Madhya Kerala Deanery, which includes oversight of the CSI congregation planted within Saint Paul’s. He is joined in ministry by his wife, Cathelene, who was present with him this Sunday.

We were also honored to welcome the St. Andrew’s College Choir, leading us through the Merbecke setting – which out parish will be switching to for Advent.

As Percy Dearmer notes, chant and ceremonial in the English use exist to hide the man and exalt the Church’s common prayer

Learn more about their program here: St. Andrew’s College.

Mr. Daniel de Villiers faithfully fulfilled the duties of subdeacon, assisting Fr. Brian Foos and me as I served as deacon for the solemn mass. The Holy Communion was celebrated in the cathedral manner, drawing upon the Sarum-derived ceremonial of the historic English Church.