News from the Congregation April 23, 2021
‘What can I do for the Cathedral?’ ; ‘Discipleship as Dialogic Thinking’ | Volunteer at CCC’s Sunday Soup Kitchen, EfM Open Meetings, Easter Season Conversation Series| Sunday Programs (9:30 am Vicar’s Open Space, 10 am Genesis Bible Study, 11 am Worship Service, 12 pm Coffee Half-Hour Conversation with Bishop Shin and Reverend Kim ) |Weekday Programs (M-S Morning and Evening Prayer; Wednesday: 6:30 pm YESS Bible Study, 7:30 pm Bible Study - Paul’s Letter to the Romans, 8:30 pm Compline; Thursday: 6:30 pm EfM Class, Friday: Midday Prayer and Meditation, 12:15 pm Vicar’s Open Space).
Canon Lee
In his book on the origins of the Vietnam War, The Best and the Brightest, the journalist David Halberstam tells this story about Joseph Swidler, chairman of the Federal Power Commission under President John F. Kennedy:
[Swidler] would tell friends of how he set out from his office for the White House to let the President know just how bitter he felt, with thoughts of resignation flashing through his mind. “On the way he would think of the President’s problems: Berlin. Laos. The Congo. Disarmament. The Middle East. The foreign aid bill. Khrushchev. All those burdens. And minute by minute as he approached the office Swidler felt his anger lessen, until by the time the President’s door opened, he heard his own voice saying: “What can I do for you, Mr. President?"
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Two weeks ago, the Cathedral's director of development, Priscilla Bayley, gave an informative presentation to the Congregation. Two points were especially helpful:
First, Priscilla illustrated the difference in scale between the Cathedral and the Congregation. For the coming fiscal year, the Cathedral's operating expenses will be over 17 million dollars. There is an additional 30 million dollars in short-to-medium term capital expenses. The Congregation, by contrast, gives $142,500 to the Cathedral, as part of its cost share agreement. The cost share is most of the Congregation's budget.
Second, Priscilla reminded us that the Congregation is a separately incorporated institution from the Cathedral. Giving to the Cathedral and giving to the Congregation are separate transactions, using separate systems.
To find a real-time record of your gifts to the Congregation, log into your account in Realm, the Congregation's database. Christopher Clowdus and Neil Reilly will answer any questions at this email address: stewardship@saintsaviour.org.
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This difference in scale does not prevent the Congregation from making its Christian witness.
Last Sunday, the executive director of the ACT programs at the Cathedral, Marie Del Tejo, came to our coffee hour. She described how, for the past 50 years, the ACT programs have provided a safe haven where toddlers to teens from many faiths, cultures and economic backgrounds gather to learn, play and grow.
She noted there has been increased need for programs for children and youth during the pandemic.
Many of you were inspired to ask how the Congregation can support this work. The Vestry has appointed a subcommittee (Gail Felix and Bob Deming) to work with Paula McKenzie, a former Vestry member and the current Congregation representative to the ACT Advisory Board, to answer this question. Stay tuned.
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Jesus put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches. (Matthew 13:31-32)
EASTER SEASON: COFFEE HOUR CONVERSATIONS WITH THE VICAR
Conversations begin approximately 12:00 PM - 12:15 PM
Sunday, April 25 - The Rt. Rev. Allen Shin, Suffragan Bishop of New York; and the Rev. Kyrie Kim, Missioner for Asian Ministries at the Episcopal Diocese of New York
Sunday, May 2 - Abby Ring Nathanson, Managing Director, Episcopal Futures Initiative at the Episcopal Diocese of New York
Sunday, May 9 - The Rt. Rev. Cathy Roskam, retired Suffragan Bishop of New York, and Marsha Ra, Senior Warden, in conversation about Bloomingdale Aging in Place
Sunday, May 16 - Vestry Meeting
Sunday, May 23 - The Rev. Canon Dr. Titus Presler, vicar of St. Matthew’s Church in Enosburg Falls, Vermont; convener of Green Mountain Witness, the evangelism initiative of the Diocese of Vermont; and president of the Global Episcopal Mission Network.
Marsha and Bob
The Junior Warden reflects on discipleship:
Our Vicar Steven Lee encourages us toward discipleship and putting Jesus in the center. What does that mean? No doubt many things to many people. This reflection, appearing almost three weeks after Easter when the liturgical year has shifted toward living in the resurrection, focuses on thinking and relationship. I home in on Jesus’ final days and hours to seek better understanding.
The Last Supper provides numerous examples of Jesus’ words and actions. During the meal, Jesus predicts that one of his disciples will betray him. In some of the Gospels accounts, Jesus indicates that Judas Iscariot is the traitor and that the consequences of his actions will be dire for him. The main legacy of the Last Supper is the institution of the Eucharist. Jesus, prior to dividing and sharing the bread, gives thanks. He says, “Take, eat, this is my body.” The wine is also blessed and shared. Jesus says, “Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” Judas Iscariot at some point leaves, and Jesus prepares his disciples for his departure. He also predicts that Peter will deny knowledge of him three times.
Stepping back, I am aware that much of this scripture is about prediction of the dire events to come. After the Last Supper, Jesus steps away to pray. Sad and aware of the coming anguish, Jesus says, “My father, if it’s possible, let this cup pass me by. Nevertheless, let it be as You, not I, would have it.” Even in his vulnerability, Jesus seems to put God’s will in the center.
Jesus’ arrest, trial and sentencing follow, and the brutal Crucifixion comes on Good Friday. Even though the Crucifixion is mostly about pain and suffering, there are occasional words of Jesus that transcend and endure. His last words include: “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” “It is finished.”
These critical utterances come at the end of Jesus’ life. What might be toward the beginning, specifically toward the beginnings of one’s intentional development? The question is important for most anyone because a person does not start out as Jesus in one’s default way of being. One has to grow into, or reach toward, something better.
I turn to Martin Buber (1878-1965), the Jewish philosopher and theologian, whose teachings have both simplicity and depth. The essay off of which I springboard is a mere three pages in a section entitled “Of Thinking” in Between Man and Man, first published in 1947.
Martin Buber indicates that thought appears to be monologue. Buber refers to Plato who calls “thinking a voiceless colloquy of the soul with itself.” Buber goes on to argue that thought is really “a dialogue between I and Thou.” I picture Jesus in Holy Week in dialogue with his disciples and with God.
The last part “Of Thinking” shifts the attention to the other person in one’s concrete life. Buber asks in the last paragraph: “When will the action of thinking endure, include, and refer to the presence of the living man facing us? When will the dialectic of thought become dialogic, an unsentimental, unrelaxed dialogue in the strict terms of thought with the man present at the moment?” Let me change Buber’s language to the universal to modernize the message. I repeat Buber’s formulation, with only one word changed. “When will the action of thinking endure, include, and refer to the presence of the living [hu]man facing us? When will the dialectic of thought become dialogic, an unsentimental, unrelaxed dialogue in the strict terms of thought with the [hu]man present at the moment?”
Changing thinking from monologue to dialogue and including the human present at the moment, to me, are attainable goals for everyday living. When one does what Buber advises, is Jesus, the spirit, and/or God moving toward the center? That is an open question.
(For engagement or for communication about something of note, my email address is available in the Realm Directory, under my name Robert Deming.)
Blessings,
Marsha and Bob
LEARN
Education for Ministry (EfM) Open Meetings 2021
By now we’ve all realized that 2021 is not like other years. EfM with the Congregation is no exception. This year, there will be three evenings when interested folks can zoom in and get a taste of what it is that we do: Thursday, May 20, Thursday, May 27, and Thursday, June 3. We gather at 6:30 and end pretty close to 8:30. It would be helpful to know if you plan to join us but not absolutely essential.
Donna Devlin, Mentor
sarahannb@aol.com
NEWS FROM THE CATHEDRAL
COVID-19 Testing at the Cathedral
The Cathedral is proud to once again partner with NYC Health + Hospitals for free, confidential, walk-in COVID-19 testing. Testing will be offered in the Cathedral Crossing beginning next Monday, April 12 through Sunday, April 25. The hours for testing are Mondays – Fridays: 9:30 am – 3:00 pm. Saturdays and Sundays: 9:30 am – 5:00 pm.
GIVE/SERVE
Questions about Realm
Christopher Clowdus and Neil Reilly invite your questions about Realm, the Congregation's giving database, at this email address: stewardship@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 and to staff Saint Saviour's Table. Please CLICK HERE to sign up! Shifts are open through the first week in June. Thank you so much for volunteering!
NOTES FROM THE APRIL VESTRY MEETING
At its April meeting this week, the Vestry voted unanimously to postpone the 2021 Crafts Fair. This means the 2021 Crafts Fair is canceled, and the Vestry will discuss the status of the 2022 Crafts Fair early next year.
THIS SUNDAY, April 25, 2021
9:30 AM - Open Space with the Vicar
Join Vicar Lee and others for 30 minutes of conversation, community, and pastoral support. Come and go as you please!
10:00 AM - In the Beginning: A Study of Genesis
Join the Vicar for a study of the first book of the Bible. Discover Genesis, not as a collection of ancient mythological stories, but as the Word of God addressing our fundamental and deepest needs.
11:00 AM - Watch the Cathedral worship service on Zoom with other members of the Congregation. As a way to maintain a prayerful atmosphere, we will be turning off Zoom chat for the duration of the service.
You can also watch the Cathedral Worship Service
On Facebook: http://facebook.com/StJohnDivineNYC
On the Cathedral website: http://www.stjohndivine.org
12:00 PM - Digital Coffee Half-Hour
Join us at this week’s Digital Coffee Hour to meet members of the congregation or hear guest speakers, This week the Vicar Lee will speak with the Rt. Rev. Allen Shin, Suffragan Bishop of New York; and the Rev. Kyrie Kim, Missioner for Asian Ministries at the Episcopal Diocese of New York
WEEKLY CATHEDRAL CONGREGATION PROGRAMS
Monday-Saturday | 8:30 AM Morning Prayer | 5:30 PM Evening Prayer
Wednesdays | 6:30 PM - YESS Bible Study
Join the Young Episcopalians of Saint Saviour as they read through the book of Exodus. No preparation needed.
Wednesdays | 7:30 PM - Wednesday Bible Study
Join the Vicar for a study of Paul's Letter to the Romans. The source of so many changed lives and pivotal moments throughout Christian history, Paul's greatest epistle invites us to transformation in our own lives and time.
Wednesdays | 8:30 PM - Compline
Thursdays | 6:30 PM - Education for Ministry
Education for Ministry is designed for lay people who want to delve more deeply but are not necessarily interested in ordination; EfM classes provide a more formal study of scriptures and the history of the faith. Current Topic: “Living into the Journey with God”
Fridays | 12:00 PM - Midday Prayer and Meditation
The Angelus and 10 minutes of silent meditation.
Fridays | 12:15 PM - Open Space with the Vicar
Join Vicar Lee and others for 30 minutes of conversation, community, and pastoral support. Come and go as you please!