News from the Congregation February 28, 2020
‘A Pandemic Gospel;’ New Art Installation, Sunday Programs (10 am Bible Study, 10 am Pathfinders Sunday School, 12:45 pm Acolyte Meeting 12:45 pm Adult Baptism and Confirmation Class: Session 5 - Baptism) Forgiveness Reading Group - Grace Will Lead Us Home, Raising My Voice: A Harlem Re-Entry Initiative, Pilgrimage to England With Cathedral Choristers and Congregation - August 2021, YESS Sushi Dinner Meetups, Seniors and Retired Group Meetups
Canon Lee
On Ash Wednesday, the clergy and lay staff of the Cathedral and Diocese imposed ashes on passersby on Amsterdam Avenue and reminded them of their mortality: "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."
Ash Wednesday was also when the fears of a Coronavirus outbreak reached a new level of seriousness here in the United States. The Ash Wednesday reminder of our mortality has become intensely, and uncomfortably, real in the past few days.
It is for such a time as this that the church proclaims the Gospel to the world.
The Gospel is NOT that Jesus today would go to the sickest among us, without wearing a mask, and would heal and touch and kiss many of them, and so THEREFORE we ought to do the same.
No! That is just an unhelpful (and unrealistic) moralistic lesson.
The Gospel message is that yes, Jesus would go to the sickest among us, without wearing a mask, and he would heal and touch and kiss many of them, and when he returned to our homes, we would ask him to please leave or disinfect himself or sleep beyond the boundaries of the city because we don't want to get infected, doesn't he understand.
Jesus would respond with a few irritating parables about the Kingdom of God and some story of contagious lepers eating at our table, all the while refusing to leave without actually addressing the issue. His obvious disregard for our comfort and safety would drive us crazy, until finally, all of our neighbors would agree with us that for the safety of our community, we would need to get rid of him.
The Gospel message is that in the very act of murdering Jesus in order to disinfect our homes and to purify our community, Jesus would look at us with pity and ask God to forgive us.
And when in the awful silence of the aftermath of his murder, when we realize the enormity of the evil we have just committed, and we tremble with fear at our boundless guilt (for we have just killed the Son of God who only wanted to love us) Jesus would appear to us in person.
“Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”
And with those words, we would know that Jesus has forgiven us and that he still loves us, and in fact, he will always love us, no matter how often we make him the scapegoat of our fears.
The Rev. Canon Steven Lee
Canon Pastor and Vicar
PASTORAL NOTE
Please remember that everyone is invited to participate in the liturgy at the Cathedral to the level of their own comfort. It is perfectly appropriate to receive only the bread at Communion, for example, or to wave or bow at the Passing of the Peace, instead of shaking hands or hugging. This is true in times of the seasonal flu, Coronavirus, or in times of complete medical tranquility.
This article on Episcopal News Network on the Coronavirus has a helpful list of links and resources about sensible precautionary measures we all might take, while also avoiding unnecessary panic. The links about dipping the bread in the wine vs. using a common cup may be especially helpful.
The Rev. Canon Steven Lee
THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 1
New Art Exhibit - Sub Dean Malloy was interviewed on NY1 about the new art installation now hanging in the Cathedral.
10:00 AM - Sunday Morning Bible Study | St. James Chapel (note location!)
Our Congregation's wonderful bible study/discussion group are a great opportunity to explore the lectionary in a little more depth, learn from each other, and get to know others in the congregation. This week's Bible Study is led by Canon Patti Welch and will meet in St. James Chapel.
10:00 AM - Pathfinders Sunday School | Cathedral Nave
Little Pilgrims and the Next Step will meet as separate classes led by Donna Devlin and Jennifer Allen. For more information, please contact, Donna Devlin, Director of Christian Education.
12:45 PM - Acolyte Meeting | Chapel of St. James
Sub Dean Malloy will meet with all acolytes in preparation for the liturgies of Lent and Holy Week.
12:45 PM - Adult Baptism and Confirmation Class: Session 5 - Baptism | Cathedral House Conference Room
The adult baptism and confirmation class meets this week in Cathedral House. This week's topic is the sacrament of Baptism.
LENT WITH THE CATHEDRAL CONGREGATION
Lenten Retreat with the Cathedral Congregation at Holy Cross Monastery - March 27 to 29
There are now just 5 spaces left, so let us know if you would like to come. Click here for more information.
Lenten Bible Study with Cathedral Clergy - Sundays, March 1 to March 29 | 10:00 AM | Cathedral Nave
The Cathedral clergy will lead the Congregation's bible study/discussion group for the Sundays in Lent.
March 1: Canon Welch
March 8: Sub Dean Malloy
March 15: Dean Daniel
March 22: No Class - Stewardship Thank You Brunch
March 29: Canon Lee
Forgiveness Reading Group - Every Other Tuesday, February 25 to April 7 | 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM | Cathedral House Dining Room
How do we understand forgiveness and grace? During Lent the Cathedral Congregation of Saint Saviour will be reading Grace Will Lead Us Home, The Charleston Church Massacre and the Hard, Inspiring Journey to Forgiveness by Jennifer Berry Hawes. This informal reading group will meet on every other Tuesday starting 25 February (March 10; March 24; April 7). The group will be led by Elizabeth Howard, the Madeleine L’Engle Fellow at the Cathedral. If you are interested in attending, please contact Hope Chang.
Harlem Inter-Parish Council Eucharist and Dinner - Wednesdays in Lent | 7:00 PM
March 4 | Church of the Heavenly Rest | 2 E. 90th St
March 11 | Church of the Crucifixion | Convent Ave and 149th St
March 18 | Holyrood/Santa Cruz Church | 715 W. 179th St.
March 25 | St. Mary’s Manhattanville | 521 W. 126th St.
April 1 | All Souls’ Church | 88 St. Nicholas Ave.
Seniors and Retired Group - Friday Mornings in Lent, February 28 to March 27 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Cathedral House Conference Room
All senior members of the Cathedral Congregation community are invited to a new group launching this Lent for fellowship, community, learning and fun. This informal group will meet with the Vicar each Friday morning during Lent. If this pilot program goes well, we hope to continue the group throughout the program year. For more information, please contact the Vicar.
YESS - Friday Evenings in Lent - Sushi Dinner with the Young Adults Network
Join other young Episcopalians around the Diocese for a short evening service (15-30 minutes) followed by sushi dinner on Fridays during Lent. (Click to enlarge schedule)
CONNECT
Cathedral Congregation Second Sunday Brunch - Sunday, March 8 | 12:45 PM | Cathedral House Conference and Dining Rooms
The March Second Sunday brunch will be sponsored by Phyllis Murray in honor of Hal Weiner's 85th birthday! All are invited to join in a hearty meal in order to wish happy birthday to one of our Congregation's dedicated Harlem Inter-Parish Council representatives, our resident photographer, and a formidable and funny raconteur.
EXPLORE
Saturday Morning Meditation - Every Saturday | 11:00 AM | Chapel of St. Ambrose (note location!)
Join members of the Congregation and public for an hour of quiet meditation every Saturday morning. This week, the group meets in the Chapel of St. Ambrose in the Cathedral.
Adult Baptism and Confirmation Class - Sundays, February 2 to March 29 | 12:45 PM to 2:15 PM
All adults interested in baptism or confirmation at the Easter Vigil are welcome to this 9-week class designed as an introduction to the Christian faith in the Episcopal tradition. To register, contact Canon Lee at slee@stjohndivine.org.
GIVE
Step 1: Pledge Online to the 2020 Campaign
Step 2: Give through Realm (preferred)
Contact pastoralcare@stjohndivine.org for help and for other ways to give, such as using giving envelopes.
SERVE
Raising My Voice: A Harlem Re-Entry Initiative - January 6 to March 23
This pilot partnership with the Cathedral Congregation, the J.C. Flowers Foundation, and Circles of Support brings together men and women recently released from incarceration with mentors from the Cathedral Congregation to form community across difference through sharing personal life stories.
Article about Raising My Voice in the Living Church
Pilgrimage to England With Cathedral Choristers and Congregation - August 2021
Warden Tim Dwyer is working with the Cathedral’s Music Department to coordinate our choirs’ next tour of the UK with a pilgrimage for lay people from the Cathedral community. Taking place during the last two weeks of August 2021, the journey will give participants the chance to see and hear our magnificent choirs up close during their residencies at Chichester and Canterbury Cathedrals and Westminster Abbey, meet the leaders and lay members of their communities, and visit nearby sites of religious, historical, and/or architectural and artistic significance. The trip is still in the planning stages, but if you think you might be interested, send a note to Tim at TimothyDDwyer9@yahoo.com with the subject heading “Pilgrimage” so you can be kept apprised as plans come together.