Prayers for Japan

The altar of St. Mary Magdalene church was dressed in white with a red altar fall, representing the colours of the Japanese flag as the parish held a prayer service for the people of Japan, Wednesday, March 23.

“News had been mounting about the earthquake and tsunami of March 11th as well as the continuing peril from the Fukushima nuclear reactors,” said the Reverend Richard Pitcher. “The people of the parish felt a need to respond in prayer, even as they made personal donations to the relief efforts.”
The service featured special readings and prayers for the people of Japan as well as a Japanese Blessing, sung by the choir at the end of the service. Twenty three people were at the service and donations were directed to the PWRDF (Primate’s Relief and Development Fund of the Anglican Church of Canada).  The singing bowl used in the service was placed on the altar and a blue urn contained bamboo sticks and incense offerings. The altar fall and incense urn have been moved to a side altar to provide an ongoing focus for continuing prayers for the people of Japan.