News from the Congregation February 7, 2020
2019 Annual Report, Sunday Programs (10 am Bible Study with Newcomer Andy Botros, 10 am Pathfinders Sunday School, 12:45 pm Second Sunday Brunch, 12:45 Adult Baptism and Confirmation Class), Blessed Absalom Jones Celebration, Online Pledging through Realm, Lenten Retreat at Holy Cross Monastery,
Canon Lee
It was so wonderful to be with all of you last Sunday for the Annual Meeting, where the Congregation filled St. James Chapel and where some of the 18 adult candidates for baptism and confirmation at this year's Easter Vigil were introduced.
You can find the Annual Report on the website at this link.
I am currently at Holy Cross Monastery for a personal retreat and spiritual direction. I look forward to seeing all of you this Sunday.
The Rev. Canon Steven Lee
Canon Pastor and Vicar
THIS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM - Get Connected to Realm!
If you haven’t activated your account on Realm or have any questions about it, stop by our help desk next to the welcome table this Sunday between the 9AM and 11AM services. Members of our Young Episcopalians of Saint Saviour (YESS) will be on hand to help you download the app, walk you through the process of giving online, and even help set up your profile picture. If you can’t make it between services, you can also get help in the dining room of the Cathedral House during the Second Sunday hospitality brunch.
10:00 AM - Sunday Morning Bible Study | Cathedral Nave
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 new member Andrew Botros.
More information about Andrew and his family: Andrew, Christine and their two young boys Yohan and Charlie join the congregation from Sydney, Australia, after moving to New York six months ago. Their Christian heritage is Coptic, a community that celebrated 50 years in Australia in 2019. They are regulars of the 9am service at St John’s and are regulars of many Upper West Side institutions, including of course, the Museum of Natural History where dinosaurs are a favorite!
10:00 AM - Pathfinders Sunday School | Cathedral Nave
Little Pilgrims and the Next Step will meet this Sunday led by Donna Devlin and Jennifer Allen. For more information, please contact, Donna Devlin, Director of Christian Education.
Little Pilgrims are asked to learn the words to the 23rd Psalm. All who make an attempt will get their choice of a prize. The contest will end at the end of February.
The Next Step group are asked to learn the 23rd Psalm PLUS Psalm 100. Everyone who makes an attempt will get their choice of a prize.
12:45 PM - Second Sunday Brunch | Cathedral House
This month's "Second Sunday" fellowship will be an early celebration of Carnival complete with jambalaya, French toast, carnival beads, etc. Wear a mask if you are so inclined! There will also be a nod to Saint Valentine’s Day.
6:00 PM - YESS (Young Episcopalians of Saint Saviour) - Oscars Watch Party
YESS is excited to be joining our neighbors at Columbia to watch this year's Oscar's ceremony! Style mavens can wear their best formal wear for red carpet pictures in front of the step-and-repeat. Join us at 6:00 PM for pre-show drinks at Arts and Crafts (116 and Amsterdam) or at 8:00 PM in Lerner Hall for the show. Please reply to saintsaviouryoungadults@gmail.com for more information.
CONNECT
Diocese of New York - Blessed Absalom Jones Celebration | Saturday, February 8 | 10:30 AM | Cathedral
The joyous and life-giving service commemorates the Feast of Blessed Absalom Jones, the first Black priest in the Episcopal Church. The Diocesan Festival Choir will sing, under the leadership of Jeannine Otis, Director of Music at St. Marks in the Bowery, and Bill Randolph, Assistant Cathedral Organist.
YESS - Young Adult Reflection Day — The Beloved Community | Saturday, February 15 | 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM | Cathedral House
YESS is proud to be hosting the Episcopal Diocese of New York's (EDNY) Young Adult Network (YAN) for this year's Reflection Day in Cathedral House. This year's theme is the Beloved Community, and it will be an intimate day of workshops, scripture, and discussions. The day will include coffee and light breakfast, lunch, a vertical tour of the Cathedral, and a closing Eucharist to send us back out into the world. This is a great opportunity to meet young Episcopalians from other parishes in the Diocese! Will we also be joined by Bishop Shin for part of the day. Please RSVP at this link, and we look forward to seeing you then!
YESS - Escape Room | Friday, February 21 | 7:30 PM (new date!)
Calling all puzzle masters! Dig out your best Gatsby attire and help us escape from this 1920s speakeasy: https://cluechase.com/moonshine-madness/. If you’ve never done an escape room before, it is a fun challenge!RSVP to saintsaviouryoungadults@gmail.com by February 7th to join the team!
EXPLORE
Radical Love Live - Recording of premiere now available!
A full video of the first live event from Sunday, January 26 is available on the website (https://www.radicallove.live) and a recording is streaming on major podcast platforms! (Including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and more to come!)
The first event in the live series features conversations about the changing spiritual landscape with faith futurist Maria French of H&Co and author and theologian John Thatamanil of Union Theological Seminary, as well as music that inspires empathy from the band The Brilliance.
Saturday Morning Meditation - Every Saturday | 11:00 AM | Cathedral House Conference Room (New location for this week!)
Join members of the Congregation and public for an hour of quiet meditation every Saturday morning. This week, the group meets on the second floor of Cathedral House.
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: Four ways to Fulfill Your Pledge
Contact pastoralcare@stjohndivine.org for help.
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.
Pilgrimage to England With Cathedral Choristers and Congregation - August 2021
See Wardens' Letter for more information.
Marsha and Tim
It was delightful to see so many of you at the annual meeting last Sunday. Special welcome to the confirmation class: we wish you a deepening spiritual experience as you prepare for confirmation over the coming weeks and into Lent. If you couldn’t attend the meeting (or if you did and struggled to hear all the reports given the challenging acoustics of St. James) we trust you will have a chance to read the annual report which will also appear soon on our congregation website. Congratulations to the newly elected members of the Vestry. We look forward to working with you.
Speaking of those acoustics: for next year's Annual Meeting, we have reserved the Morningside Room in the Cathedral School so that we can be sure that all members can hear and be full participants in the meeting.
Some of us are looking forward to the beginning of Lent, which is a very special time for quiet reflection and preparation for Holy Week. We understand the Cathedral Clergy will run Bible Study during Lent. Every year we also reserve rooms at Holy Cross Monastery for a Lenten retreat which will take place March 27-29. This year Brother Josep of the Order of Holy Cross will lead us this year.
If you have never been on retreat or visited a convent or monastery, we suggest you consider coming along this time. The monks live a very intentional Christian life in community, filled with prayer yet offering generous hospitality. The house itself will be in silence during Lent, but our time with Brother Josep will allow for meaningful conversation. Worship is primarily meditative, with the reciting and chanting of psalms taking up a large part of the daily offices. The food is excellent with many vegan and gluten free alternatives. If the weather is good, there is plenty of time for walks along the Hudson River. There is a quiet library, jigsaw puzzles, a chance to read undisturbed and to sleep! Watching the sun rise over the Hudson from the monastery porch is a pleasure, as are the deer and various other critters that are seen on the grounds. Tempting? We have to let the monastery know how many people are actually coming so please let us know by first week in March. Fees are $215 for two nights and six meals. Partial scholarships are available.
Application is here.
Planning further ahead, 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.
Closer to home: Cathedral Community Cares manager Thomas Perry tells us that the Clothing Closet has a need for neckties as well as work pants. If you have any to donate, please leave them at the CCC office during working hours or at the entrance to CCC on Sunday. The entrance is across from the guard booth.
Marsha and Tim
Wardens
FEBRUARY 11, 2020