News from the Congregation August 27, 2022
‘‘‘ Thanks for your support!’ ; ‘Fall Happenings’ ” | Funeral Service for Percy Lambert, Installation Service for the Cathedral’s New Community at the Crossing, UN Sunday, Homecoming and Congregation’ s 30th Birthday, Aid for Ukraine, Columbarium Access | Sunday Programs: 10:30am Worship Service - In-Person and Online, 4:00pm Evensong | Weekday Programs: M-S Morning and Evening Prayer (Zoom)
Canon Lee
Greetings from northern Vermont, where I am spending the last few days of vacation. Thank you once again for all your love and concern for my daughter Evelyn. She had open-heart surgery one week after her birth, and then one week after that, she was discharged from the hospital. Her doctors were so impressed with her recovery that they gave my family permission to spend some time away from New York. I am back in the office Tuesday, August 30.
As you will see below, the Cathedral and the Congregation are beginning the program year with many exciting new events. I hope you will be able to join us for what promises to be a transformative year in the life of our Congregation and Cathedral.
A Message from the Wardens
Welcome Home and Happy birthday!
“Autumn in New York-- Why does it seem so inviting?” There are so many reasons New York is particularly wonderful in the fall. The temperature drops, the skies can be the deepest blue imaginable. New York’s cultural institutions—Broadway, opera, ballet, concerts-- start their fall seasons. And if we are lucky, at least one of our baseball teams will be in post season play, maybe even the World Series. But best of all at the Cathedral, people return from vacation and students starting at colleges and universities in the area show up to check us out. It is a time to reconnect with friends and reach out to potential new members of our special community.
Our first fall Congregation event will be Homecoming on Sunday, September 18, following the 10:30 service. This is our first Homecoming in three years and it should be delightful. This year our homecoming is also a celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Incorporation of the Congregation of Saint Saviour. The reception, including lunch, will take place on the Bishop’s Green across from Cathedral House. (If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we will celebrate in the Cathedral nave.) It is also the first Sunday of the fall that the Cathedral Chorale (volunteer choir) will join the professional choir. This enriched service will also include a sermon by the Bishop of New York and a procession by vergers from around the country who will have attended a verger’s conference at the Cathedral. So, we expect a really big crowd at Homecoming!
If you are able to help set-up, host or clean-up, please contact Marsha Ra or sign up at the Coffee hour after the Sunday Eucharist.
Looking back
Although the newsletter was on hiatus in July and most of August and so many were away on vacation, (or choosing to enjoy the beach on Sunday!) many congregation members were very busy over the summer. The return of the backpack project demonstrated how willing you are to respond to calls for support of those in need. In just three days the stated goal of $4500 was achieved. In fact, we raised nearly a thousand more. 60 back-packs filled with a year’s worth of school supplies were prepared, blessed at the Sunday, August 7 Eucharist service, and distributed to children in the neighborhood through Cathedral Community Cares (CCC). All the extra money raised will go to Cathedral Community Cares to support their vital work. Thanks to all who donated for this special project.
The Hospitality ministry which began the second Sunday of Easter continued. A large and growing group of congregation members offered refreshment and a warm welcome every single Sunday to people attending the 10:30 service. Even on the hottest, stickiest Sundays, people stayed for at least an hour, enjoying iced tea, iced coffee, treats and conversation. Given that the water source is two football lengths away from where the reception takes place, set up and clean up provide a good healthy challenge well met by a dedicated group of volunteers: Taking turns setting up and preparing the coffee and tea were Bob Deming, Karl Taps, Mark Garrison, Marsha Ra, Rick Awe, Sonia Omulepu, Sue Sobolewski and Tony Baer. Bringing treats were Barbara Trelstad, Cecilia Amadi, Cynthia Paulino, David Johnston, Karl Smith, Margaret Jack, Mark Garrison, Marsha Ra, Michela Biasutti, Muriel Kneeshaw, Richard Moore, Rick Awe, Chris Clowdus, Goura Rivera, Sue Sobolewski, Tim Farrell, Tony Baer and Margaret Barry. About half of the snacks were home-made. The clergy have helped enormously by joining in, rather than having a separate receiving line each week. Certainly, the best part of the renewed coffee hour is the warmth and welcoming spirit each week. The vestry and the hospitality group have made it a rule to talk to at least three people they don’t know before they talk to someone they do know. It has been amazing to talk to people from literally all over the world, Sunday after Sunday, to hear about their lives and to see our own worship service and the cathedral space through their eyes. This is one of the great gifts of worshipping at the Cathedral. If you would like to join the hospitality group, contact Marsha.
Looking forward to a year of blessings and challenges!
NEWS FROM THE CATHEDRAL - Cathedral of Saint John the Divine (stjohndivine.org)
Dates to Remember
Sept 8 - Community at the Crossing: Opening Service (RSVP here)
Sept 25 - UN Sunday with the President of the 77th session of the General Assembly
Oct 2 - Saint Francis day. Blessing of the animals on the Cathedral Close. There will have a Congregation table outside to greet the many people coming with dogs, cats, birds, etc.
Nov 2 - All Souls Day Commemoration
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.
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)
NEWS FROM THE CONGREGATION
Sept 10 - Funeral for Percy Lambert, former Senior Warden of the Congregation
Sept 18 - Homecoming to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Congregation (see Wardens' column below)
Oct 9 - Bishop Shin's episcopal visitation to the Congregation. He will preach and preside at the 10:30 AM service before meeting with the vestry.
Oct 29-31: Congregation of Saint Saviour retreat at Holy Cross Monastery--an opportunity for some quiet time away for reflection and spiritual growth. The retreat will be led by a Holy Cross monk, Brother Ephrem. The topic will be Community. More information will soon be available. Sign up will be on REALM by October 1.
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
THIS SUNDAY
In-Person Worship at the Cathedral
10:00 am - Doors to Cathedral open.
10:30 am - Eucharist Service (apprx. 1 hour)
11:30 am - All are Welcome Coffee Hour
4:00 pm - Evensong
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 (On summer break, returns in September)
Sunday 8:30 am Bible Study | Genesis| Congregation Zoom Link (On summer break, returns in September)