News from the Congregation July 17, 2020
Sunday Morning Bible Study-Genesis, Sunday Service Zoom, Sunday Adult Formation: Eucharist, YESS Bible Study, Reading Group: Richard II, Wednesday Compline, Digital Church Survey, Susan’s Musical Meditation
From Fr. Steven
This week, I commend the beautiful reflection below, written by your Junior Warden, Tim Dwyer. My only other comment is about the Sunday morning Bible Study. After last week's introductory session, this Sunday, we will examine Genesis 1:1-5. The title of the session is "Joy Comes in the Morning." I look forward to seeing many of you there.
The Rev. Canon Steven Lee
Canon Pastor and Vicar
THIS SUNDAY, JULY 19
(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.
11:00 AM - Congregation Watch Party for Cathedral Worship Service
Watch the Cathedral worship service on Zoom with other members of the Congregation.
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 Coffee Hour with the newest member of the Cathedral’s Clergy, the Rev. Deacon Paul Daniels.
12:30 PM - Adult Formation Class
Sub-Dean Malloy has a family emergency this week, his class on the Eucharist will resume next week. In the meantime, you can access supporting materials for the course by clicking here.
WEEKLY CATHEDRAL CONGREGATION PROGRAMS
Tuesdays | 6:00 PM - YESS Bible Study
This Wednesday | 7:00 PM - Congregation Reading Group
Not all the water in the rough rude sea
Can wash the balm from an anointed king.
- Richard II, Act 3, Scene 2
Please join the Congregation Reading Group for a discussion of The Public Theater's fantastic radio presentation of Shakespeare's Richard II. Broken down into four one-hour episodes, this production features world-class actors giving bravura performances, and it includes behind-the-scenes discussion of how the play was mounted and why it is dedicated to Black Lives Matter. You can even download the radio play script.
We will focus on religious themes (for example, the Divine Right of Kings), but do come prepared to highlight a moment or two from the production that resonated with you. You can use the radio play script or bookmark a place in the audio feed.
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.
WAYS TO CONNECT
Throughout the week, the programming the congregation offers can be accessed through either Zoom or by dialing in through the phone. More and more people have taken advantage of this phone option and have found it to be successful.
To joining a congregation program like the Sunday offerings and Compline by phone:
Dial 929-205-6099
Enter the meeting ID, which is 212-316-7483, then press #
When asked for a participant ID, just press the # sign
Enter the meeting password, 1047, then press #
Record your name and press #
You will then be put on hold until the meeting host admits you to the meeting.
Once you are in the meeting, you can unmute or mute yourself by pushing *6.
To join the Daily Office, offered Monday-Saturday, 8:30AM and 5:30PM
Dial 646-558-8656
Enter the Zoom meeting ID, which is 557-741-3337, then press #
When asked for a participant ID, just press the # sign
You will then be put on hold until the meeting host admits you to the meeting.
Once you are in the meeting, you can unmute or mute yourself by pushing *6.
Some participants enjoy joining the Daily Office by phone with a Book of Common Prayer and / or Bible with them so they can follow along, but this is not necessary, many of the responses are familiar and full participation is possible simply by calling in. For those who have chosen to follow along in a book, page numbers are announced. Some who have joined by phone have even served as readers!
If you know someone who might be interested in joining be phone, please feel free to share this information with them.
MUSICAL MEDITATION
This week’s musical meditation from congregation member Susan Sobolewski is two movements from Robert Schumann’s Kreislerian. Thank you, Susan, for providing us with these reflections and beautiful performances.
DIGITAL CHURCH SURVEY
Thank you to everyone who filled out the survey over the last two weeks! Your answers will help ensure that the ministry being offered is sustainable and inclusive. There is still time to fill out the survey, which is just four short pages and should take about five to ten minutes. Click here to be heard.
Marsha and Tim
I had an idealistic vision that the end of pandemic isolation would look something like the end of a war: one day the treaties get signed, the guns fall silent, and the church bells peel as people mob the streets dancing and embracing (think of the iconic “sailor kissing nurse in Times Square” photo taken at the end of World War II). I now realize just how naïve a vision that is. Barring some miraculous medical advances, our emergence from seclusion is going to be gradual, tentative, and halting, with very little in the way of clarity and certainty.
My husband and I went to our first “socially-distant dinner party” a few days ago. There were three couples in total, trusted old friends who had all been tenaciously isolating, masking, and handwashing for months. No hugs, handshakes, or kisses when we greeted each other, of course. And with the table set on a breezy outside porch overlooking Long Island Sound, we felt like we were being “pandemically responsible,” to coin a phrase.
As luck would have it, it unexpectedly started to rain just as dinner was being served. We hurriedly moved inside to a room just off the porch that had big sliding glass doors. We opened them so that the strong breeze could still waft over us, but still I couldn’t help but feel like we were starting down a slippery slope.
While it was absolutely wonderful to be able to enjoy the company of people other than my immediate family for the first time in months, every subsequent moment became infused with doubt and a little anxiety. My inner monologue raced frenetically along as I carefully watched my friends around the table:
“Is that bread sitting in the middle of the table still safe to eat or has it been doused with aerosols?”
“Would it be impolite or impractical to try to keep my mask on in-between bites and sips?”
“Did he just exhale over my glass of water?”
I’ve been second-guessing our actions that night ever since: were we careless or paranoid? After all, this wasn’t a restaurant or a bar or a subway car filled with strangers. Everyone there was a member of the Fauci Fan Club. Face masks and little tubes of hand sanitizer were practically falling out of everyone’s pockets and purses. But, still, I have known people who have died from this awful virus, and I have been fiercely critical of others who it seemed were not taking this crisis seriously.
Can I glean any takeaways from my first fumbling foray into the outside world? I think yes. For one, I am going to try to be a little less judgmental of other folks wrestling with the uncertainties of these times. While I still have no patience for the “open up” protestors who want to practice politics instead of public health, I also see that there is an abundance of conflicting information and constantly-changing advice directed at those of us who are not epidemiologists. Let’s give each other the benefit of the doubt. We are all learning as we go.
I am also going to try to keep a long-term, community focus. It’s not just that our care and prudence – or lack thereof – will impact many strangers whom we happen to pass by on a subway platform or in a store aisle. It’s also that the consequences of our actions do not become evident to us for days, and sometimes never. I tremble at the thought that I could be an asymptomatic carrier unknowingly infecting others.
Finally, I am going to try to hold on to the feeling of gratitude for the basic things that I have come to appreciate now more than ever: health, family & friends, the precious earth, the love and comfort of our creator.
We are now seeing a loosening of restrictions in the tri-state area. When we decide to venture out, we will inevitably be confronted by many ambiguous situations. At some point – the exact timing will be different for each of us – we will decide for ourselves that it is safe to extend the hand of Peace or take Communion or greet an old friend with a kiss on the cheek. Please, God, help us to make the right choices.
Blessings from your wardens!
Marsha and Tim