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Jun 07, 2011 | Susie Tommaney

Recap of Former Archbishop's Visit to St. Martin's, Houston

Archbishop St. Martins Confirmation

Carey presided over a service where 42 adults and 65 youth
were confirmed, received or reaffirmed. (by Bruce Morgan)
Archbishop St. Martin's Preach
Carey leading an adult lecture on May 22 (by Susie Tommaney)

During the week of May 19-22, St. Martin's, Houston, welcomed back to campus The Most Rev. and Rt. Hon. Dr. George L. Carey, 103rd Archbishop of Canterbury. In 1991 he was invited to take up the post of 103rd Archbishop of Canterbury and served 70 million Anglicans around the world until his retirement in 2002.

 

The week began with Lord Carey speaking to the Men of St. Martin’s group on Thursday morning, May 19, with 200 parishioners and guests in attendance. St. Martin's Music Fest event began on Friday, May 20 with the Houston Boychoir, which provides boys in the Houston metropolitan area with the exciting opportunity for vocal music study and choral performance.

 

“When [the Rev. Russell Levenson, Rector of St. Martin’s] and I first conceived of Music Fest two years ago, we had no idea then what a wonderful event it would turn out to be,” Carey said.

 

More than 310 parishioners, guests, musicians and volunteers were in attendance on Friday night, with 275 remaining for the reception afterwards.

 

The campus came to life early on Saturday morning, May 21, as Carey presided over a lovely service where 42 adults and 65 youth were confirmed, received or reaffirmed. The total attendance that morning was 730; a wonderful reception in Bagby Parish Hall followed the service.

 

In his sermon, Carey stressed that “confirmation is about discipleship. It is about being a soldier for Jesus Christ. It is a public confession that you are prepared to live as a Christian in your daily life.”

 

On Sunday morning, May 22, Carey preached during the morning services in the Church. Attendance was 107 during the 8:00 a.m. service, 461 during the 9:00 a.m. service, and 610 during the 11:15 a.m. service.

 

During his sermon, Carey referenced the gospel lesson from John 14:1-14. “Jesus said, ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.’” 

 

“The answer to fear is faith,” he explained. “So, the next time we are afraid, reach out for a promise of God, and lay hold of it by the power of Jesus. And our fears will be on their way to vanishing.”

 

This sermon is available for download on St. Martin's website, and for purchase through their Bookstore & Gift Shoppe.

 

The Music Fest weekend ended on Sunday night, with the choirs of St. Martin’s and St. Thomas' performing Mozart’s Coronation Mass during the 6:00 p.m. service in the church. There was a huge turnout for this event, with some guests seated in the balcony, and a total attendance of 759 when including the choirs and orchestra.

 

For a full recap of the events, click here.