News from the Congregation March 11, 2022
‘‘ ‘Episcopal Futures Initiative’ ; ‘Lent Madness’ ” |Lenten Centering Prayer Programs, E.A.S.T. Zoom Talk on Asians in the US as the Third Other, CCC Hoodies from the Heart Campaign, Volunteer at CCC’s Sunday Soup Kitchen, Aid for Ukraine, Updated Cathedral COVID Policies, Columbarium Access | Sunday Programs: 8:30 am Genesis Bible Study (Zoom), 10:30 am Worship Service - In-Person and Online, |Weekday Programs: M-S Morning and Evening Prayer (Zoom), Wednesday: 7:30 pm Romans Bible Study (Zoom)
In the picture, you will see a screenshot of the first meeting of the Congregation's Episcopal Futures learning community. The Congregation's learning community, called "One Body," also includes St. Mary's Episcopal Church (Manhattanville) and Christ Church, Sparkill.There are a total of 9 different learning communities in the Episcopal Futures program, made up of 24 different parishes. We have been praying for these 24 parishes in both the weekday in-person Eucharist and in the online Morning and Evening Prayer services.
The mission of Episcopal Futures is "Catalyzing collaborative, imaginative, and Spirit-led communities to faithfully transform our Episcopal Futures.” The three goals of the program are as follows:
(1) Build a collaborative culture throughout the Episcopal Diocese of New York that honestly discerns missional futures, bravely implements necessary adaptive changes, and faithfully strengthens our Episcopal ethos.
(2) Train congregational teams to experiment with new ways of being church that are life-giving, cultivate a sense of belonging, and catalyze transformation.
(3) Plant new worshipping communities in imaginative and Spirit-led ways that foster justice, outreach, evangelism, and lay leadership.
As the Episcopal Futures initiative gets underway, I invite you to pray for the Congregation's Episcopal Futures team--Akisa Omulepu (chair), Fr. Paul Daniels, Cynthia Paulino, Darold Cuba, Neil Reilly, and myself--using this prayer, composed by the Rt. Rev. Allen Shin, Suffragan Bishop of New York:
Holy and living God, you planted a seed of your creative Spirit within us and inspired us to be bold and courageous in the work of Episcopal Futures. Guide us with your wisdom that we may discern your will wisely; open our hearts that we may hear your voice in one another; increase compassion and mercy in our differences; give us strength to be faithful in the face of obstacles; and help us carry out our mission in the spirit of collaboration and mutuality. Above all, may your will be done, and your name be glorified in the renewal and the resurrection of your churches in this Diocese as we bear the fruits of Episcopal Futures; through Jesus Christ who died and rose again and has given us a new and everlasting life. Amen
A Message from the Wardens
Senior Warden Marsha Ra on "A bit of Lenten silliness"
What? How can Lent be silly? Well, it really isn’t. It is a time for self-examination, contemplation, preparation, some of those challenging things about being Christian. In fact, it is my personal favorite time of the church year because there is more of everything—retreats, lectures, special prayers, and frankly, Lent is not something that can be commercialized. Apart from some sales on tuna fish, I’ve never seen anything in the secular world that refers at all to Lent. There is no Easter Bunny, no Santa Claus, no kitschy shows at Radio City Music Hall, no pressure to buy luxury goods. In preparation for this serious time of year, I’ve heard of a church in Minnesota that does a “polka mass” on Shrove Tuesday when Anglicans are running down corridors flapping pancakes. Happily the Episcopal Church is not above having some fun even during Lent through a game called Lent Madness (read more about it here: Lent Madness) Through these weeks of Lent we are offered biographies and other information about Christian saints, some of whom we are very familiar with (Teresa of Avila, for example); some we may never have heard of; some who aren’t recognized by the Catholic or Orthodox churches, but who have led lives that are models of sainthood—lives that can be very inspiring.
The game begins with matching up of 32 saints. Each day another two are presented and Episcopalians throughout the church vote for the one they think should move on to the next match-up. Passions can run high. For example, believe it or not, the very first match-up between Saint Stephen and Saint Wenceslaus saw VOTER FRAUD! Someone voted 600 times for Wenceslaus. The 600 votes were eliminated, and Saint Stephen won. (I had voted for Wenceslaus—just once, of course—because I thought the story behind this “good king” was fascinating and worthy of moving forward.) The method of voting was corrected and such manipulation is no longer possible.
At Morning Prayer on ZOOM, for the second year, we are playing the game together after the formal prayer session ends. We read the biographies and then discuss which each of us supports and why. Today we learned about James Holly, the first Black bishop in the Episcopal Church who brought the Episcopal Church to Haiti after that Island’s revolution early in the 19th Century. He was pitted against Lydia, who appears in Acts of the Apostles. Our group was tied, but it is apparent that Bishop Holly is going to sweep to victory in the church-wide voting—he was a remarkable man who sacrificed much for the faith. Some of the match-ups are a little amusing: Melania the Elder vs. Hilary, for example; and there is a match-up between a Felix and an Oscar, also a Tom and a Jerry. For all this light-heartedness, we are moved to consider the nature of sainthood and to meditate on some very saintly lives. At the end of the game, on Wednesday of Holy Week, a single saint remains and receives the “Golden Halo.” I understand that mugs with that saint’s name will be for sale some time after that.
If you are interested in participating with the Morning Prayer group, we pray every morning at 8:30. Or you can join Lent Madness on your own and the match-ups will be emailed to you each morning, Monday through Friday.
In this Lent, when we see evil and heroic sacrifice and suffering in Europe, we must pray without ceasing. However, we can take a little time to have some fun learning more about the history of the Body of Christ through stories of its saints.
NEWS FROM THE CATHEDRAL - Cathedral of Saint John the Divine (stjohndivine.org)
Updated COVID-19 Policies for Cathedral Buildings and Grounds
In light of the revised COVID masking and vaccination guidance released last Friday by the Mayor’s office, the Cathedral administration has taken a look at Cathedral COVID protocols and made the following adjustments:
Masks will be optional outdoors for visitors and staff, Monday-Friday.
Masks will be required outdoors for visitors and staff, Saturday and Sunday.
The Cathedral will discontinue health screening and temperature checks at the Security booth on the upper drive.
The Cathedral continues to require masks in the shared spaces in office buildings (hallways, restrooms, etc.) but are making masks optional in offices, depending on the agreement of all parties present.
In the Cathedral:
-- masks will be mandatory for congregants and visitors
-- vaccines will still be mandatory for congregants and visitors age 5 and up
-- clergy may unmask while leading worship
-- masks are optional for choirs and musicians
-- capacity will remain as is
Columbarium Visits - Please Schedule in Advance
Due to cleaning and ongoing construction at the Cathedral, some areas may occasionally be inaccessible. Anyone wishing to visit a loved one in the Columbarium is strongly encouraged to schedule their visit in advance via this Columbarium Visit Registration form.
CCC Clothing Closet Hoodies from the Heart Campaign
This Lenten season, the Cathedral Community Cares Clothing Closet is hosting a clothing drive of hoodies and sweatshirts to bring warmth and love to our neighbors in need Donations of new, unisex hoodies in all sizes can be dropped off at the CCC Offices on the main driveway south of the Cathedral. All monetary donations made to CCC during the Lent season will benefit the Hoodie drive as well. As always, the Cathedral is abundantly grateful for the support and generosity.
HUMANITARIAN RELIEF FOR UKRAINE
Episcopal Relief & Development is supporting Action by Churches Together (ACT Alliance) as it provides critical assistance to support people affected by violence in Ukraine. Working through ACT member Hungarian Interchurch Aid (HIA) and other local organizations, ACT Alliance is providing emergency assistance such as food, shelter, water and basic supplies to refugees and people displaced within Ukraine.
The UN Refugee Agency estimates that as of March 8, more than two million people have left Ukraine since Russian forces invaded the country, making this the fastest-growing refugee crisis since World War II. Damage to civilian infrastructure has left thousands without electricity or water. Homes have been damaged and destroyed, displacing hundreds of thousands within the country. People are fleeing to neighboring countries such as Poland, Hungary and Romania and their long-term destination is unclear.
On February 27, HIA set up a refugee support point on the Ukrainian side of the border at Beregsurány where volunteers are providing hot tea, sandwiches, refreshments, blankets and basic hygiene items for refugees, who often wait long hours to cross the border into Hungary. These refugees include many children and older adults. HIA is in contact with its network of churches and organizations, as well as local governments in Hungary, to coordinate cash assistance, shelter, food and medicine for people who have been displaced.
ACT Alliance is setting up similar support points at other border towns to assist people as they leave Ukraine. It is working through local partners to provide aid for refugees in Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Poland.
Episcopal Relief & Development is also working with The Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe, the Diocese of Europe, the Anglican Alliance and United Society Partners in the Gospel as the churches prepare to mobilize on potential immediate and long-term responses to assist Ukrainian refugees in Poland, Romania, Hungary and other parts of Europe.
“Episcopal Relief & Development was founded by The Episcopal Church to help people fleeing violence in World War II,” said Nagulan Nesiah, Senior Program Officer, Disaster Response and Risk Reduction, Episcopal Relief & Development. “We remain committed to supporting our partners on the ground as they meet both immediate and long-term needs created by this crisis.”
Donations to Episcopal Relief & Development’s Ukraine Crisis Response Fund will help the organization and its partners continue to provide assistance to people displaced by the crisis in Ukraine.
NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE Home - Episcopal Diocese of New York (dioceseny.org)
Episcopal Asian Supper Table Talk: “Asians in the US as the Third Other”
When: Saturday, March 19 at 4:00pm via Zoom
RSVP to East@dioceseny.org before 2:00pm to receive Zoom link information.
Dr. Choi, Hee An will discuss how the American colonial immigrant history creates white/black and native/alien structures and this places Asians in the US as the third other. She will examine how this has caused pain and suffering, and will put forward possible strategies for navigating the intersection between this systematic structure and their personal struggles.
The Harlem Clericus & Manhattan North Inter Parish Council Lenten Program on Centering Prayer
An online introduction to and practice of Centering Prayer in English for beginners and experienced members with Diane Robinson, Chapter Coordinator, Contemplative Outreach, NYC. And Mark Lewis, Coordinator for Introduction to Centering Prayer
Wednesday, March 16, at 7 pm (to 8:30 pm)
The Method of Centering Prayer
Wednesday, March 23, at 7 pm
Thought and the Use of the Sacred Word
Wednesday, March 30, at 7 pm
Deepening our Relationships with God
Wednesday, April 6, at 7 pm @Holy Trinity, Inwood
20 Cumming Street, NYC 10034
In person/hybrid: Introducing Thomas Keating
(one of the primary developers of Centering Prayer)
On Zoom
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83674252700?pwd=YWFQSjdBaW5GVWxYZW52Q0YyQjdBQT09
Meeting ID: 836 7425 2700
Passcode: centering
Or dial in: +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
Passcode: 466690571
An Invitation from the Committee to Elect a Bishop to Share Your Thoughts
The Committee to Elect a Bishop warmly invites and encourages lay and ordained members of the Diocese of New York to share their thoughts on the characteristics and qualities they want to see in the next Bishop Diocesan the major priorities of the Diocese of New York. All responses will ONLY be shared with members of the Committee to Elect a Bishop. Please click HERE to go to the Bishop Search Website and complete the simple online form.
NEWS FROM THE COMMUNITY
NEWS FROM THE VESTRY
GIVE/SERVE
Questions about Realm, the Congregation’s Online Hub for Giving, Volunteering, and Reaching Out to One Another
The Admin team would love to hear from you. Whether you need help making the shift to online donations, setting up your account, or just want to know what Realm can do for you, please contact Laura and Bob at this email address: info@saintsaviour.org
CCC - Volunteer Opportunity at Sunday Soup Kitchen
Join us at CCC's Sunday Soup Kitchen (8:30 am - 11:00 am) to help prepare and distribute food.. Please CLICK HERE to sign up! Shifts are open through the second week in June. Thank you so much for volunteering!
THIS SUNDAY, February 27, 2022
In-Person Worship at the Cathedral
10:00 am - Doors to Cathedral open.
10:30 am - Eucharist Service (apprx. 1 hour)
7:00 pm - Choral Compline
The Cathedral requires those entering its buildings to show proof of vaccination and to wear a mask.
You can also watch a Livestream of the Cathedral Worship Service
On Facebook: http://facebook.com/StJohnDivineNYC
On the Cathedral website: http://www.stjohndivine.org
WEEKLY CATHEDRAL CONGREGATION PROGRAMS
Monday-Saturday | 8:30 AM Morning Prayer | 5:30 PM Evening Prayer
Wednesday 7:30 pm Bible Study | Paul’s Letter to the Romans | Congregation Zoom Link
Sunday 8:30 am Bible Study | Genesis| Congregation Zoom Link