News from the Congregation April 27, 2018
From the Vicar
O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
I have a theory of ministry. Now, I realize how that must sound coming from someone who has been ordained all of about seven weeks. It may bring to mind the famous quote attributed to John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester: Before I got married I had six theories about bringing up children; now I have six children and no theories.
My theory is that authentic and life-giving ministry has to operate out of a surplus of love; that is, we can only love and serve those around us if we ourselves are filled to the brim with love. We can only give what we have.
Otherwise, without this surplus of love, ministry either becomes a form of work, a transaction, whereby my good works earn a return, like God's favor so I can go to heaven, or points in church, so I can receive choice seating at the major services or privileges like private baptisms.
Or ministry becomes a duty, something we have to do because there's no one else around who will, frankly, do as much as we do, as well as we do, to keep this place running smoothly. Compulsion, which breeds bitterness, is the opposite of the surplus of love, which is characterized by joy.
So one thing the vestry and I will be exploring is how we can, systematically and deliberately, build up this surplus of love. We want every member or newcomer to feel so much love from their Saint Saviour community, that they become over-filled with love and therefore can't help but give some of their surplus love to other people, especially those outside the Cathedral walls.
Happily, as you will see from the Wardens' message, we are starting from a good place. The joy and energy exhibited by so many members in their various ministries, as well as the spirit of trust and collaboration between the staff of the Cathedral and the leaders of the Congregation, are manifestations of this love surplus.
Blessings,
Steven
From the Wardens
AIDS Memorial Quilt Display
We remember, and we remember each by name.
Thanks to the efforts of vestry member Kevin de l’Aigle, along with Vice President of Cathedral Programming & External Affairs Lisa Schubert and her stellar staff, three 12 x 12 foot panels of the AIDS memorial quilt will be installed in the Cathedral nave from May 13 through May 21. The quilt will be present in the Nave on May 20 as thousands march by our Cathedral in the AIDS walk (see below). Each panel contains a name of someone with a close connection to our Cathedral community. If you would like to make a donation to help defray the cost of this project, you may do so by check or by using the PayPal donation button on our website http://www.saintsaviour.org/
We will share more details in the coming two weeks, but in the meantime want to thank Kevin, Lisa, and the others who have made this important initiative possible.
May 13 Second Sunday Potluck Blow Out
May 13 will be a very special day: the opening of the AIDS memorial Quilt display, our Second Sunday Fellowship, and the last Sunday until the Fall that the all-volunteer Cathedral Chorale will be singing. Rather than have three separate events (Chorale here, Congregation there, Memorial Quilt opening somewhere else) we are combining all three into a pot-luck reception in the nave of the Cathedral. If you are interested in participating by bringing a dish to the pot-luck, please e-mail wardens@saintsaviour.org and we will send you the list of foods that Lisa Chin, Events Committee chair, would like to see on the table. Beverages, including wine, will be provided.
The AIDS Walk, Sunday, May 20.
The AIDS fundraising walk passes right by our cathedral—it has for years. While huge advances have been made in the control and treatment of AIDS, people continue to get sick and people continue to die. This year the congregation is planning on being cheer leaders as the marchers pass us on Cathedral Parkway. We’ve hired a bag piper, and have hundreds of specially-designed cathedral rose window fans to distribute to the marchers. Since the bulk of the marchers will pass our way between 10 and 11 a.m., we can clap and cheer after the 9 or before the 11! Join us if you can.
If you want to participate in the walk itself, Vestry member and young adult leader Lewis Salas will be leading a team of walkers. Contact him at lewissalas1991@gmail.com
Do you speak a language other than English?
On Pentecost, Sunday, May 20 the readings at the 11:00 Eucharist will be proclaimed in a number of languages. If you can read any foreign language and would like to help, please contact Father Malloy (pmalloy@stjohndivine.org), saying which language you would like to read. Rehearsals will be held on Sunday, May 13, after the 11:00 Eucharist and at 10:00 on May 20: the day of the celebration itself. Participants must attend both rehearsals and secure copies of the Scripture passage in their chosen language.
EfM Open House, Thursday, May10, 6:30, Cathedral House Conference Room
If you are interested in a more formal and structured study of scriptures and the history of the faith, in thoughtful discussion and spiritual reflection, then you are a good candidate for the program known as Education for Ministry (EfM). It is designed for lay people who want to delve more deeply but are not necessarily interested in ordination. EfM classes have been on-going at the Cathedral under the mentorship of Donna Devlin for 10 years. On Thursday, May 10 at 6:30 there will be an EfM Open House in Cathedral House. Come and see what a typical session is like.
Cathedral Community Care Collections for the month of May
During the Sundays of May, the Congregation is collecting hygiene products for CCC to distribute to the needy. Please bring tooth paste, soap, feminine hygiene products, etc. and leave the donations on the table set up next to the Coffee. Thank you!
Summer job opportunities in ACT
ACT (Adults and Children in Trust), the Cathedral’s youth enrichment program, offers a robust summer camp experience for young people ages 3-14. ACT is seeking talented, enthusiastic, and engaging folks to work at their camp, and would certainly love to encourage people from the Cathedral congregation to apply. Please check out https://tinyurl.com/employmentwithact for more information about any of ACT’s open positions. You can download the relevant information from the website, and email your completed application, cover letter and your resume to www.actjobs@stjohndivine.org.
To learn more about ACT and specifically to learn more about upcoming summer camp sessions, you are invited to meet some of the ACT team while engaging in activities and games at a Free Family Field Day on Saturday, May 26th from 12-3pm! This Field Day is open to all, and families and/or young people from the congregation and the community are encouraged to come and enjoy!
The 37rd Annual Spirit of the City Gala. It’s the Cathedral’s birthday!
This year marks two milestones for the Cathedral of St. John the Divine: The 125th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone and its official designation as a New York historic landmark—so the Cathedral is throwing a party! The evening starts with a special buffet dinner in the Cathedral chapels followed by a lively party with drinks, dessert, and dancing to the Duke Ellington Legacy Band, along with a special tribute to José V. Torres, who for 45 years led the Cathedral’s Adults and Children in Trust program, a vital resource for children and families throughout the city. Tickets for the dinner and party start at $500; tickets for the party only are $125. For more information, or if you are interesting in volunteering at the event, please contact Marie Miranda at mmiranda@stjohndivine.org or (212) 316-7498.
Wishing you all a beautiful Easter season,
Marsha Ra & Tim Dwyer, Wardens
APRIL 27, 2018