News from the Congregation January 4, 2019
From Fr. Steven
Some of you know that before I entered the ordained ministry, I spent a few years working as an equity derivatives trader for a Swiss bank.
Like the character in the New Yorker cartoon, sometimes I sold "puts," and sometimes I sold "calls," and other times, depending on how I thought the market was trending, I bought these derivative instruments.
Unlike the character in the cartoon, however, I did not feel like this was a "full life." Far from it.
So one New Year's Day, about fifteen years ago, I decided I was going to change my life for the better by running every morning.
Since I normally was at work by 6:00 AM, this meant forcing myself to get up at 4:00 AM each morning to fulfill this New Year's resolution.
If you ever want to experience pure and unalloyed despair, might I suggest running half-asleep and bone-tired, on a dark and desolate street of a Connecticut commuter town, in the middle of a frigid winter, at 4:00 AM?
There is a better way to a full life.
That way begins when we stop trying to fix ourselves, with New Year's resolutions that require us to "will" ourselves to health and sanity and meaning, and instead, we turn over our entire lives, including our willpower, to the care of God, and thereby discover what Jesus taught:
"Anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you’ll have it forever, real and eternal." John 12:25 (MSG)
The Rev. Steven Lee
Vicar
From Marsha and Tim
Happy New Year friends! If you were away—welcome back!
Annual report: What happened?
This is that time of year when the vicar and wardens put together an annual report which we will present to you at the annual meeting on the First Sunday in February, February 3, 2019 after the 11am service.
Our Treasurer Cecilia Amadi will give us the official fiscal figures. Thanks to your contributions we are looking at the first year without a deficit for quite a while. The narrative will focus more on what happened, what we tried to do, what we accomplished. It was a wonderful year for the Cathedral’s worshipping community. Of course what we “accomplished” is less important than how we grew spiritually, but that cannot be measured.
What was the most important, stunning, surprising or satisfying moment for you as a member of this community? It would be wonderful to hear from you.
Toy Drive report
Thomas Perry of CCC reports that 120 children were given toys for Christmas thanks to our toy drive. Thank you all who brought in toys. They have helped make Christmas joyful for many kids whose families are struggling.
Craft Fair report
We don’t have final figures because the bills haven’t all been presented, but we do know that we did well. The proceeds have permitted us to do more than balance the budget. We have sent $5000 to CCC for the Clothing Closet which has been refurbished and we will soon be sending funds to ACT, the after school program, for scholarships to summer day camp.
Stewardship: Giving Envelopes
If you give to the Congregation using giving envelopes, we have just sent out the envelopes for 2019. Thank you to Luz Betancourt for working on getting these boxed sets out to you. Depending on the efficiency of the Post Office, some of you should receive them on Saturday, others not until early next week. These envelopes are especially important if you make cash donations on Sunday as part of the Liturgy. Checks made out to the Congregation of Saint Saviour reach us whether in the giving envelope or not. Cash donations do not go to the congregation if not in an envelope and we are unable to credit you for your gift. If you prefer, you may also have your bank send us checks on a regular basis or use Paypay to make donations to the Congregation one time or on an on-going basis.
If you have not made a formal pledge, it is never too late! We will have pledge cards at the welcoming table after the 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday services.
Blessings for a good year ahead.
Marsha & Tim
JANUARY 4, 2019