News from the Congregation April 1, 2022
‘‘ ‘Hospitality as a Spiritual Practice’ ; ‘Reflection on Legacy - Sonia Omulepu’ ” |The Eucharist Cup Returns, Lenten Centering Prayer Programs, CCC Hoodies from the Heart Campaign, Volunteer at CCC’s Sunday Soup Kitchen, Aid for Ukraine, EAST Super Talk, Updated Cathedral COVID Policies, Columbarium Access | Sunday Programs: 8:30am Genesis Bible Study (Zoom), 10:30am Worship Service - In-Person and Online, 8:00pm Compline|Weekday Programs: M-S Morning and Evening Prayer (Zoom), Wednesday: 7:30pm Romans Bible Study (Zoom)
Canon Lee
This week, the Cathedral is living into its Christian vocation of hospitality. We have welcomed our European friends from Chemin Neuf, who arrived on Sunday evening and have been here the entire week. They are finalizing preparations for their move onto the Cathedral Close, as well as making plans for the intentional community of young adults that will be established at the Cathedral, which will be called "The Community at the Crossing."
This Sunday, the Cathedral will welcome the Rev. Canon Terence Alexander Lee, the rector of St. Philip's Church in Harlem, to the pulpit, and members of that historic parish, to the nave.
Hospitality is so much more than printing a poster with the words "All are Welcome" and hanging it outside a church. As the director of the Notre Dame Center for Liturgy, Timothy P. O'Malley, notes, hospitality requires attention and intentional practice:
Our parishes often seek to be spaces of hospitality... I wonder if the way to "form" a hospitable parish is not through slogans (like All Are Welcome). Rather, it is to practice a form of life together in the parish that makes space for the guest. It is to learn to pray together in a way in which my voice does not overpower my neighbor. It is to create a form of life in which I cease thinking about myself as an individual monad, an individual family. And instead take up a series of practices in which my entire life is about making space for the other. In which every part of my life becomes an offering of praise to the God who is the source of all gift.
Hospitality, in this sense, is not something that we can simply state in a mission statement. Instead, Christian hospitality is the lifelong project of making space for the Christ who comes and comes and comes again.
I am so pleased that members of this year's confirmation class will make hospitality an intentional spiritual practice--not just words on the Congregation's mission statement--by providing coffee and treats to our guests from St. Philip's after this Sunday's service in the nave. Thanks to Austin Berger for his leadership and to Nancy Ellman and to Barbara Trelstad for their help. I hope you will join us.
I am also pleased that the Congregation will offer coffee hour to the Cathedral community during entire 50-day Easter season, starting on Sunday, April 24. Many thanks to Marsha Ra, our indefatigable senior warden, for coordinating the group, and thanks to all who have volunteered: Tim Farrell, Richard Awe, Michela Biasutti, Susan Sobolewski, Cecilia Amadi, Joshua Connerty, and Bob Deming. Thanks also to our creative and hardworking Stewardship and Communications Committee for taking one of the Sundays in Easter: Sharné Jackson, Scott Klein, Oliver Mahrdt, Christopher Clowdus, and Karl Taps.
A Message from the Wardens
SCC CORNER | GIVE FROM THE HEART | Reflecting On One's Legacy
The Stewardship and Communications Committee (SCC) is implementing the Lenten stage of its Give From The Heart campaign and has invited members to give their thoughts on what it means to be remembered or leave a legacy.
Today’s Testimonial: Sonia Omulepu
In Mark 12:30 Jesus tells us : “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind and with all your strength.” The second is this, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is not other commandment greater than these.” (NSRV)
To love one's neighbor as ourselves is to give what you have to the congregation and to those in need. My legacy is to be loyal to my beloved community, the Congregation of St. Saviour at the Cathedral Church St. John the Divine. I express my love in a variety of ways, by giving to the toy drive at Christmas, the coat drive in winter, and making sandwiches on Sundays for the hungry. I fulfill God’s second greatest commandment when I give -- a legacy that expresses my love.
My legacy includes being an usher, a member of the Altar Guild, and a lector. In addition, being a member of the vestry where I support the mission of the congregation and our vicar. The congregation is the beloved community fulfilling God’s commandment.
A legacy of prayer is what binds us. Finding time to pray every day has helped to ground me in my faith and my connection to the congregation. Without that beloved community I would be lost. My life has had many challenges, and it is only through prayer I have learned how to overcome those dark periods. I give gratitude for the guidance given, and the support of the beloved community. That is my legacy — loyalty, commitment, giving, and love.
NEWS FROM THE CATHEDRAL - Cathedral of Saint John the Divine (stjohndivine.org)
Common Cup for Eucharist Reinstituted
At the Cathedral, the Dean and Chapter have decided to resume the Common Cup for Sunday worship on Palm Sunday, April 10.
For the weekday Eucharist, the Common Cup has been restored starting this past Monday, March 14.
Updated COVID-19 Policies for Cathedral Buildings and Grounds
In light of the revised COVID masking and vaccination guidance released last Friday by the Mayor’s office, the Cathedral administration has taken a look at Cathedral COVID protocols and made the following adjustments:
Cathedral Office and Grounds:
Masks will be optional outdoors for visitors and staff, Monday-Friday.
Masks will be required outdoors for visitors and staff, Saturday and Sunday.
The Cathedral will discontinue health screening and temperature checks at the Security booth on the upper drive.
The Cathedral continues to require masks in the shared spaces in office buildings (hallways, restrooms, etc.) but are making masks optional in offices, depending on the agreement of all parties present.
In the Cathedral:
-- masks will be mandatory for congregants and visitors
-- vaccines will still be mandatory for congregants and visitors age 5 and up
-- clergy may unmask while leading worship
-- masks are optional for choirs and musicians
-- capacity will remain as is
Columbarium Visits - Please Schedule in Advance
Due to cleaning and ongoing construction at the Cathedral, some areas may occasionally be inaccessible. Anyone wishing to visit a loved one in the Columbarium is strongly encouraged to schedule their visit in advance via this Columbarium Visit Registration form.
CCC Clothing Closet Hoodies from the Heart Campaign
This Lenten season, the Cathedral Community Cares Clothing Closet is hosting a clothing drive of hoodies and sweatshirts to bring warmth and love to our neighbors in need Donations of new, unisex hoodies in all sizes can be dropped off at the CCC Offices on the main driveway south of the Cathedral. All monetary donations made to CCC during the Lent season will benefit the Hoodie drive as well. As always, the Cathedral is abundantly grateful for the support and generosity.
HUMANITARIAN RELIEF FOR UKRAINE
Episcopal Relief & Development is supporting Action by Churches Together (ACT Alliance) as it provides critical assistance to support people affected by violence in Ukraine. Working through ACT member Hungarian Interchurch Aid (HIA) and other local organizations, ACT Alliance is providing emergency assistance such as food, shelter, water and basic supplies to refugees and people displaced within Ukraine. Donations to Episcopal Relief & Development’s Ukraine Crisis Response Fund will help the organization and its partners continue to provide assistance to people displaced by the crisis in Ukraine.
NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE Home - Episcopal Diocese of New York (dioceseny.org)
Episcopal Asian Supper Table Talk: “Proclaiming God’s Deep Economy”
When: Saturday, April 9 at 4:00 pm
Where: St. Thomas Fifth Avenue (in-person only, no Zoom)
RSVP to East@dioceseny.org before 2:00 pm Thursday, April 7th.
At EAST's first in person event in two years, Dr. Jonathan Tran will present Asian American Christianity as good news in the context of this racist backdrop. He will tell the story of an Asian American community attempting to live into God's “deep economy.” While being honest about Asian American racism toward others, he offers a Christian account of solidarity and liberation for all oppressed communities. The talk will be followed by a time for reflection and conversation, and light hors d'oeuvres. Dr. Train holds the George W. Baines Chair of Religion at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. He is the author of Asian Americans and the Spirit of Racial Capitalism (Oxford University Press, 2022) which attempts to rethink how we think about race and racism.
The Harlem Clericus & Manhattan North Inter Parish Council Lenten Program on Centering Prayer
An online introduction to and practice of Centering Prayer in English for beginners and experienced members with Diane Robinson, Chapter Coordinator, Contemplative Outreach, NYC. And Mark Lewis, Coordinator for Introduction to Centering Prayer.
Wednesday, April 6, at 7 pm @Holy Trinity, Inwood
20 Cumming Street, NYC 10034
In person/hybrid: Introducing Thomas Keating
(one of the primary developers of Centering Prayer)
On Zoom
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83674252700?pwd=YWFQSjdBaW5GVWxYZW52Q0YyQjdBQT09
Meeting ID: 836 7425 2700
Passcode: centering
Or dial in: +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Passcode: 466690571
An Invitation from the Committee to Elect a Bishop to Share Your Thoughts
The Committee to Elect a Bishop warmly invites and encourages lay and ordained members of the Diocese of New York to share their thoughts on the characteristics and qualities they want to see in the next Bishop Diocesan the major priorities of the Diocese of New York. All responses will ONLY be shared with members of the Committee to Elect a Bishop. Please click HERE to go to the Bishop Search Website and complete the simple online form.
NEWS FROM THE COMMUNITY
NEWS FROM THE VESTRY
GIVE/SERVE
Questions about Realm, the Congregation’s Online Hub for Giving, Volunteering, and Reaching Out to One Another
The Admin team would love to hear from you. Whether you need help making the shift to online donations, setting up your account, or just want to know what Realm can do for you, please contact Laura and Bob at this email address: info@saintsaviour.org
CCC - Volunteer Opportunity at Sunday Soup Kitchen
Join us at CCC's Sunday Soup Kitchen (8:30 am - 11:00 am) to help prepare and distribute food.. Please CLICK HERE to sign up! Shifts are open through the second week in June. Thank you so much for volunteering!
THIS SUNDAY, April 3, 2022
In-Person Worship at the Cathedral
10:00 am - Doors to Cathedral open.
10:30 am - Eucharist Service (apprx. 1 hour)
7:00 pm - Choral Compline
The Cathedral requires those entering its buildings to show proof of vaccination and to wear a mask.
You can also watch a Livestream of the Cathedral Worship Service
On Facebook: http://facebook.com/StJohnDivineNYC
On the Cathedral website: http://www.stjohndivine.org
WEEKLY CATHEDRAL CONGREGATION PROGRAMS
Monday-Saturday | 8:30 AM Morning Prayer | 5:30 PM Evening Prayer
Wednesday 7:30 pm Bible Study | Paul’s Letter to the Romans | Congregation Zoom Link
Sunday 8:30 am Bible Study | Genesis| Congregation Zoom Link