News from the Congregation February 19, 2021
‘Henri Nouwen on the Desire to be Different ' | Sunday Soup Kitchen Volunteers Needed, Harlem Inter-Parish Council Lent Services, Private Baptisms on Easter Eve | Sunday Programs (9:30 am Vicar’s Open Space, 10 am Genesis Bible Study, 11 am Worship Service, 11:45 Vicar and Friends, 12 pm Coffee Half-Hour |Weekday Programs (M-S Morning and Evening Prayer; Wednesday: 6:30 pm YESS Bible Study, 7:00 pm Vicar’s Open Space, 7:30 pm Paul’s Letter to the Romans, 8:30 pm Compline; EfM Class, Friday: Midday Prayer and Meditation, Vicar’s Open Space).
Canon Lee
In June 1974, the Roman Catholic priest Henri Nouwen visited the Abbey of the Genesee in western New York State. This Trappist monastery is famous for its strict rule of life and for its tasty “Monks’ Bread” sold in local supermarkets.
Nouwen stayed there for seven months. During that time, he kept a journal that was later published as Genesee Diary: Report from a Trappist Monastery. The following passage, about this brilliant man’s desire to “stand out” in that community of monks, is a helpful reminder as we begin Lent:
The monastic life is indeed very unsensational. I keep catching myself with the desire to do something special, to make a contribution, to add something new, and have to remind myself constantly that the less I am noticed, the less special attention I require, the less I am different, the more I am living the monastic life.
Maybe—when you have become fully aware that you have nothing to say that has not already been said—maybe then a monk might be interested in listening to you. The mystery of God’s love is that in this sameness we discover our uniqueness. That uniqueness has nothing to do with the “specialties” we have to offer that glitter like the artificial silver balls on a Christmas tree, but has everything to do with our most personal and most intimate relationship with God.
When we have given up the desire to be different and experienced ourselves as sinners without any right to special attention, only then is there space to encounter our God who calls us by our own name and invites us into his intimacy.
I wish you all a holy Lent.
Marsha and Bob
Check back next week!
NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE
Lenten Wednesdays Worship with the Harlem InterParish Council - Wednesdays at 7PM
February 24 The Rev. Rhonda Rubinson/Church of the Intercession
March 3 The Rev. Matthew Paul Buccheri/St. Edwards
March 10 The Rev. Patrick Williams/St. Martin’s
March 17 The Rev. Terence Lee/St. Philip’s
March 24 The Rev. Mary Foulke/St. Mary’s
BAPTISM ON EASTER EVE Saturday, April 3, 2021
The Cathedral Chapter has decided to offer adult and infant baptisms on Easter Eve, the Saturday before Easter Sunday. Due to the pandemic, these will be private in-person baptisms, not open to the public. Anyone interested in having themselves or their babies baptized should contact the Vicar's assistant, Hope Chang. The Cathedral clergy will conduct baptism preparation classes during Lent.
GIVE/SERVE
CCC - Volunteer Opportunity at Sunday Soup Kitchen
Since December, Congregation volunteers have been generously giving of their time every Sunday at CCC to help with food preparation and distribution. Each Sunday from 8:30 - about 11:00am. CCC needs 3 Congregation volunteers. Please CLICK HERE to access the new Congregation Volunteer sign-up page. Or click on “Volunteer in the main navigation menu. Shifts are open through the end of March. Thank you to everyone who has continued to volunteer week after week!
CCC - February Clothes Drive
CCC requests warm hats, gloves, and coats for their Clothing Closet clients. The Clothing Closet accepts gently used, freshly laundered clothes. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, clothes MUST be laundered before donating. Drop-off Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
THIS SUNDAY, Feb 21, 2020
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. This Sunday will focus on: Genesis 8 “Re-emergence and Re-imagination.”
11:00 AM - Congregation Watch Party for Cathedral Worship Service
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
11:45 PM - Vicar and Friends
Join the Vicar and occasional guests right after the service for a brief time to say hello and check in with other members of the congregation.
12:00 PM - Digital Coffee Half-Hour
Join us at this week’s Digital Coffee Hour to meet members of the congregation.
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 the read through the book of Exodus. No preparation needed.
Wednesdays | 7:00 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!
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 - Congregation 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!
Reminder: you can find a directory of weekly programs with links to each program’s Zoom by clicking here.