News from the Congregation February 15, 2019
From Fr. Steven
"Every relationship is fragile until it is tested by conflict." My friend who told me this insight learned it in business school, of all places, and I've come to believe, through life experience, that it is true.
Don't you feel that most of our relationships have a superficial quality to them until a conflict occurs? When we first meet people, we often seem to walk on eggshells around each other. Our relationships are on the level of "Hey, how are you doing? Oh, I'm fine." Without conflict, they can stay at that level forever.
Now, it is true that sometimes conflict can wreck a relationship. There can be a huge blow up between friends, or a couple finally tells truths to one another that they never take back and don't want to take back, or a hundred other things dissolve the emotional bonds that hold us together, and we decide to go our separate paths.
But sometimes, if we are lucky, we have these same knock-down fights with our friends and neighbors, or romantic partners, or coworkers, or family members, and we decide to make amends. And in the aftermath of that reconciliation, the relationship becomes much stronger. We no longer have to tiptoe around one another because the relationship has been tested, and it has survived the test.
The kind of community we are attempting to create in our Cathedral congregation is one that--no matter how angry you become or how disappointed you are or how many hard words are spoken--never sees any conflict as a final break. Rather, each conflict is an opportunity of deepening our faith that through such tests we will grow closer together.
When we live this way, we can be like those whom the prophet Jeremiah wrote about:
Blessed are those who trust in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.
They shall be like a tree planted by water,
sending out its roots by the stream.
It shall not fear when heat comes,
and its leaves shall stay green;
in the year of drought it is not anxious,
and it does not cease to bear fruit.
The Rev. Steven Lee
Vicar
From Marsha and Tim
Newcomers Brunch—February 24
If you are new to our church community and looking for a spiritual home here at the Cathedral, come to St. Saviour Chapel after the 11:00 a.m. service for a light brunch. You will hear why people join, learn more about the Congregation’s programs and ask any question you want.
Congregation Mardi Gras -- Sunday, March 3!
The Hospitality Committee is putting together a yummy and fun Mardi Gras luncheon. It will take place on Sunday, March 3. Last year in addition to jambalaya and gumbo, there was made-to-order French Toast. Watching Hal Weiner sit at the French Toast Station frying egg-soaked bread remains a happy memory. I am sure he is doing exercises to be ready to flip the toast at just the perfect moment. Mardi Gras will take the place of the “Second Sunday” lunch. So mark your calendars.
Thank you—A Stewardship Campaign wrap up Between the Services, March 10, Cathedral House
On March 10 we will be thanking all who pledged for the year 2019 with a lovely brunch between the services, from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM. Come and celebrate your collective generosity which will make 2019 another banner year for The Congregation of Saint Saviour. If you haven’t made a pledge, please come anyway. Stewardship cards will be available.
Looking ahead to Lent
Can you believe Lent is on the horizon? It is a special time of reflection and preparation. The Vicar and Vestry are planning ways for you to enter more fully into this holy season. At this point we can announce two opportunities so that you can plan.
There will be more to come:
Unburdening – A Saturday morning meditation, March 16 – April 13, 9:30 a.m., Saint Saviour Chapel
Led by Congregation member Mark Dilcom. Centering Prayer and intercessions. LINK.
The Way of Love+ The Rule of Life, A Lenten Retreat, Friday April 5 – Sunday April 7, Holy Cross Monastery
We are returning to our favorite retreat site, Holy Cross Monastery on the Hudson for a weekend retreat led by our seminarian Peggy Lo. Fifteen spots have been reserved with the Monastery. A fee of $215 covers the cost of a room and six meals. For more information, email: wardens@saintsaviour.org
Oh the HUMANITY – or rather Oh the Post Office!
Remember those boxes of giving envelopes that were lost in the labyrinth of the Post Office? They were found and returned to the Cathedral. The mail room has repackaged them and sent them out again. If you never received a replacement set, these are your envelopes! If you did receive a set, please return one of the sets and let us know what number you will be using—especially if you give cash during the liturgy. In any case, to be safe, please sign your name on the outside of the envelope each week if you give cash.
Thank you all!
Marsha and Tim
FEBRUARY 14, 2019