News from the Congregation August 2020
A Whole-Hearted Sabbath; “The End of the Beginning;” Sunday Bible Study-Genesis, Sunday Adult Formation-Eucharist, YESS Bible Study, Reading Group, Fall Congregation Read: “How to Be an Antiracist” by Ibram X. Kendi
From Canon Lee
How are you doing? For real? Several of you told me this week you are emotionally drained, after months of holding up during the pandemic. Your resilience has finally worn down. You are burned out. You need a break.
A wise clergy mentor once told me, however, that Sabbath rest does not (only) consist of lazy days at the beach. Leisure only gives a temporary respite from burnout. The essential problem remains.
Instead, she told me, it is "whole-heartedness" that creates a true Sabbath. She defined "whole-hearted" as being fully integrated, able to present one's full self to God.
At the time, I didn't understand what she was trying to teach me. I didn't understand the definition of "whole-hearted." Then I read the posthumous essay by John Lewis and came across these words:
"Democracy is not a state. It is an act, and each generation must do its part to help build what we called the Beloved Community, a nation and world society at peace with itself."
Then it struck me. We are whole-hearted, when we are at peace with ourselves. When we are at peace with ourselves, we experience a true Sabbath. Out of a true Sabbath, we discover, after the desolation of burnout, the wellspring of a renewed life.
What is true for our individual lives, is also true for our nation. The whole-hearted and fully integrated nation that John Lewis spent his life trying to build, is a nation finally at peace with itself, and ready to discover, after its own desolating burnout, the wellspring of renewal. May he rest in peace.
The Rev. Canon Steven Lee
Canon Pastor and Vicar
EDITOR'S NOTE
After a summer break, the congregation newsletter will resume in September. In the meantime, please check the congregation website for the most up-to-date information about programming and for Zoom links.
THIS SUNDAY, AUGUST 2
(To access each program on Zoom, click the link in the title.)
10:00 AM - In the Beginning: A Study of Genesis
Crises test our faith and help us see what is essential in our church life, such as reading the Bible in community. 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 will be the last Bible study until September 6.
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
12:00 PM - Digital Coffee Half-Hour
Join us at this week’s Digital Coffee Hour to meet members of the Congregation community.
12:30 PM - Adult Formation Class
Sub-Dean Malloy continues his class on the history, theology, and practice of the Eucharist. Access supporting materials for the course by clicking here. This class will continue throughout August, check back for updated materials each week.
WEEKLY CATHEDRAL CONGREGATION PROGRAMS
Tuesdays | 6:00 PM - YESS Bible Study
This Wednesday | 7:00 PM - Congregation Reading Group
Wednesdays | 8:30 PM - Congregation Compline
Reminder: you can find a directory of weekly programs with links to each program’s Zoom by clicking here.
BLACK LIVES MATTER
As a part of a diocesan-wide effort, the Congregation will be organizing a program in September and October around Ibram X. Kendi’s book How to Be an Antiracist. Kendi's book offers a refreshing approach that is helping to radically reorient America on the urgent issues of race, justice, and equality. Consider buying or borrowing it now.
From Marsha and Tim
“Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”
Winston Churchill spoke those words after the British victory at El Alamein in November 1942. Having endured a long string of military defeats, he finally had just a little bit of good news to share. He couldn’t have known then, of course, that they were actually just past the halfway mark of the Second World War. Much agony lay ahead.
Where are we in the course of this awful pandemic? That is the big question, isn’t it? How much longer? Sometimes it seems like there might just be a faint light flickering at the end of the tunnel – a promising therapy, a dip in the infection rate, the beginning of a vaccine trial – something to offer us a little hope. But most of the time recently the news seems increasingly grim, and it feels like it will be getting darker before the light arrives. Much agony lies ahead.
As we watch our nation fumble simultaneous crises in public health, racial justice, and the economy, it’s hard to imagine that there is anyone who hasn’t wrestled with significant feelings of despair, fear, and even hopelessness. People are particularly at risk now, as the mental exhaustion after four long months of isolation wears on us all. Simple, easy tasks become complex and burdensome. Sleep is hard to come by, and fatigue becomes a familiar daytime companion. It brings to mind an exchange between two characters in The Road by Cormac McCarthy: “What's the bravest thing you ever did?” “Getting up this morning,” he replied."
Now more than ever, we must support each other, recognizing that no one is immune from the stress and worry of these times. Our Congregation’s wonderful on-line presence is a great start, but there is also an important individual role for each of us to play. Reach out proactively to the friend you haven’t spoken to in a while. With emotions running high and spirits perhaps low, let us be less judgmental and more forgiving, more understanding, and more willing to listen. And let us be brave enough to recognize when we ourselves are the ones in need; your St. Saviour family is with you.
A Sabbath within a Sabbath? It’s hard to admit that we all need a rest. Some of us have been doing nothing more than resting…a long Sabbath break as we hunker inside to avoid COVID19. But even in this long break from everything that is normal, we have been very busy working at becoming a new kind of church—a rich, virtual church where spiritual growth is possible, mutual support is possible, and sanity can be maintained as we try to make it through together. Now it is hot. We are seeing signs of burn out. So a break for August makes sense. We are taking a break from writing a newsletter. The next issue will be sent out first Friday in September. The church will, of course, continue with the daily office and Sunday services. Planning will be going on for what the fall will look like.
Please everyone, take a rest, pray and keep the faith! Let the Holy Spirit will work through us, even in small ways, to help each other endure. Perhaps, for all of the difficulty of these times, we will someday remember it as our finest hour.
Blessings from your wardens!
Marsha and Tim