Ember Day Link

In our celebration of the church year, our family has yet to observe Summer Ember Days. But I found this post from Jennifer at Wildflowers and Marbles intriguing and helpful! There is also a link to her post at Catholic Cuisine for recipes to go alongside.

I found it interesting that Ember Days are part of the early church's celebrations. "In fact, in the early days of Christian practice these four markers anchored the church’s year when its calendar was yet in its infancy—no Christmas yet, no Advent, an uncertain and emerging Lent—just Easter, Pentecost, and the Ember Days…" (from the Episcopal Cafe)

The Book of Common Prayer sets these days apart for special prayer for those to be ordained, for the choice of those to be ordained, and all Christians in their vocations. Though I won't be fasting, I'm going to try to focus on one theme on each Ember Day. Since our church is in search of a Rector and with all of the turmoil in our denomination, these prayers seem especially important.

Here are the collects from the BCP:

I. For those to be ordained

Almighty God, the giver of all good gifts, in your divine
providence you have appointed various orders in your
Church: Give your grace, we humbly pray, to all who are
[now] called to any office and ministry for your people; and so
fill them with the truth of your doctrine and clothe them with
holiness of life, that they may faithfully serve before you, to
the glory of your great Name and for the benefit of your holy
Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
for ever. Amen.

II. For the choice of fit persons for the ministry

O God, you led your holy apostles to ordain ministers in every
place: Grant that your Church, under the guidance of the Holy
Spirit, may choose suitable persons for the ministry of Word
and Sacrament, and may uphold them in their work for the
extension of your kingdom; through him who is the Shepherd
and Bishop of our souls, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and
ever. Amen

III. For all Christians in their vocation

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole
body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified:
Receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before

you for all members of you holy Church, that in their vocation

and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with
you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Amen.