Anglicans were sensitized to the intrinsic value of Mary Magdalene, after Jesus had called her from a life of sin and degradation, and told to put their own lives in context by Anglican Ordinand Eric Miller.
Miller was on assignment in South Long Island during the month of July. Working under the tutelage of Canon Harry Ward, rector of St. Paul's Parish in South Long Island, the ordinand conducted the sermon on Sunday, July 27, during the St. Mary Magdalene's Patronal Festival in Glinton's Long Island.
He reminded the congregation that Mary had many strikes against her, but the Jesus, the son of God, saw above and beyond her imperfections and called her to be a witness of his resurrection. Miller told the listeners that Mary Magdalene is considered the second most important woman in the New Testament, after Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Miller was allowed to preach the sermon by Father Chester Burton. He said allowing the ordinand, who has completed his first year of study at Codrington College Theological Institute, would serve as the catalyst and an avenue that would allow the young man's dream to become a reality.
Burton believes that Patronal Festivals and Feast of Titles are monumental and memorable occasions in the life of the parish and, as such, should never be celebrated in lackluster fashion.
After the Eucharistic celebration, Anglicans marched down the main Queen's Highway while singing ancient hymns of the church.

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