The Diocese of El Camino Real reports in its newsletter, Along the King’s Highway, about a generous gift from parishioners to their retiring rector:
Congratulations to the Rev. Blaine Hammond, who retired as rector of St. Andrew’s Ben Lomond at the end of June. As part of his farewell the congregation built him a boat, the Madida, which they christened and launched at the Santa Cruz Harbor on June 16. …
“Almighty God, who guided Noah in the building of an Ark, and calmed the raging sea, we call upon you to bless those who have prepared this ship for service, and to protect and preserve those who sail in her, and surround them with your loving care. Amen.”
Matthew Townsend is a Halifax-based freelance journalist and volunteer advocate for survivors of sexual misconduct in Anglican settings. He served as editor of the Anglican Journal from 2019 to 2021 and communications missioner for the Anglican Diocese of Quebec from 2019 to 2022. He and his wife recently entered catechism class in the Orthodox Church in America.
