Feast of Julia Chester Emery (January 9)

Above:  Julia Chester Emery

Image in the Public Domain

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JULIA CHESTER EMERY (SEPTEMBER 24, 1852-JANUARY 9, 1922)

Upholder of Missions

The Episcopal Church added Julia Chester Emery to its calendar of saints in 1994.

Emery was the daughter of a sea captain and the sister of two Episcopal priests.  She was also the sister of Mary Emery, who served as the first National Secretary of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Board of Missions, The Episcopal Church.  (The General Convention of 1871 created the Women’s Auxiliary.)

Our saint succeeded her sister in 1876 and served until retirement, 40 years later, at the age of 63 or 64 years.  She traveled widely in The Episcopal Church, visiting remote mission stations around the world and speaking in every diocese and missionary district.  This travel was frequently difficult.  Emery also encouraged support for these missionary efforts and created the United Thank Offering.  She died about six years later, on January 9, 1922.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

NOVEMBER 14, 2016 COMMON ERA

THE FEAST OF JOHN AMOS COMENIUS, FATHER OF MODERN EDUCATION

THE FEAST OF THE CONSECRATION OF SAMUEL SEABURY, FIRST EPISCOPAL BISHOP

THE FEAST OF WILLIAM ROMANIS, ANGLICAN PRIEST AND HYMN WRITER

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God of all creation, you call us in Christ to make disciples of all nations and to proclaim your mercy and love:

Grant that we, after the example of your servant Julia Chester Emery,

may have vision and courage in proclaiming the Gospel to the ends of the Earth;

through Jesus Christ our light and our salvation, who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

Isaiah 61:1-3

Psalm 67

Romans 12:6-13

Mark 10:42-45

—Holy Women, Holy Men:  Celebrating the Saints (2010), page 163

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