News from the Congregation June 1, 2019
From the Vicar
Almighty God our heavenly Father, you declare your glory and show forth your handiwork in the heavens and in the earth: Deliver us in our various occupations from the service of self alone, that we may do the work you have us to do in truth and beauty and for the common good; for the sake of him who came among us as one who serves, our Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Tomorrow morning, members of the vestry and I will meet in the Dining Room of Cathedral House for a half-day retreat in order to get to know one another better and to begin a discussion about our church community. As a former teacher, I could not help but give them a couple homework assignments to complete before the retreat.
One of the assignments, which I want to share also with you, was to read the introduction to Rebuilt: The Story of a Catholic Parish, written by Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran. The introduction is freely available on the internet, and you can find it here. This book was highly recommended to me by the Rt. Rev. Dean Wolfe, who is the new rector of St. Bart's in Midtown and the former Bishop of Kansas, and I have found it to be a thought-provoking read.
I should be clear. This is not a book that teaches How to Grow Your Church in Ten Steps or something similarly gimmicky. Instead, the book helps surface some assumptions about the purpose of church that many of us hold, either consciously or unconsciously. I am looking forward to seeing how the issues raised by the introduction will jump-start our discussion tomorrow.
I do hope that some of you will take a few minutes to read the introduction. It's only about 11 pages and shouldn't take you very long to finish. This way, you too can "Enter the Conversation," as one of our striking new outdoor signs tells us, a conversation that your vicar and your vestry will begin tomorrow and which will continue in the months ahead.
Blessings,
Steven
From the Wardens
Manhattan North Inter-Parish Council Annual Celebration Event! Today! Friday, June 1!
Church of the Intercession, 550 West 155th Street (1 train or M4 bus get you there). All are welcome. Eucharist is celebrated at 6:30 and dinner at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $40. You may pay when you go to dinner. Proceeds benefit summer camp for kids in the Harlem Community. We are members of this IPC which includes All Souls, Church of the Crucifixion, Intercession, Holy Rood, St. Ambrose, St. Andrews, St. Martins, St. Philips, and St Mary’s. Come and meet members of our sister parishes. This event is always fun! For more information email Hal Weiner halweiner@gmail.com
Episcopal Charities Sunday
This coming Sunday, June 3, the ushers will hand you a contribution envelope for Episcopal Charities. Episcopal Charities provides critical funding and operational support to strengthen nearly 100 local programs working to transform the lives of 900,000 people in need each year. 100% of your contribution directly supports outreach programs in the Episcopal Diocese of New York. (Board member contributions and Diocesan funds cover all administrative costs.) That means your donations put fresh produce into food pantries, tutors into after-school programs, companionship into the lives of the elderly, and so much more. Episcopal Charities is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and all donations are tax exempt. For more information and a list of grants given out see http://episcopalcharities-newyork.org/
Funeral Service for Dr. Young Kun Kim, Tuesday, June 5 at 3:00 p.m.
If you’ve been a member for a long time, you probably remember Dr. Kim reading the passage from Ezekiel at the Easter Vigil each year, that passage about the valley of dry bones which prefigures the Resurrection. He was a steady presence at the 11:00 a.m. service for at least 30 years until he grew frail and came less often. He was brutally murdered on Mothers Day as he withdrew money from an ATM. Let us honor him and support his family at the service this coming Tuesday afternoon.
Cathedral Community Cares Collections continue through June
Continuing our support of CCC, in June we are collecting clothes appropriate for job interviews. Please leave items next to the sign on the table near the coffee set-up before or after the 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. services. Thank you for your on-going support of this ministry.
Bible Study continues Sundays from 10:10 to 10:40 in the Chapel of St. Martin.
All are welcome to attend the weekly adult Bible study each Sunday and share thoughts about the Sunday readings. This group has been meeting regularly under the leadership of Dr. Jon Aceto for more than 10 years.
Wishing you all a spirit filled Season of Pentecost!
Tim Dwyer
Marsha Ra
JUNE 1, 2018