News from the Congregation March 18, 2022
‘‘ ‘My Strength is Made Perfect in Weakness’ ; ‘Stewardship Reflection on Legacy’ ” |The Eucharist Cup Returns, Lenten Centering Prayer Programs, E.A.S.T. Talk, Legacy Giving to the Cathedral w/ Dean Daniels, 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)
Canon Lee
I have some personal news to share. Earlier this week, my wife and I learned that the baby girl we are expecting in July has a congenital heart defect. The hole in her heart will require open-heart surgery within days of her birth, and the baby will have to spend the first few weeks of her life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
As part of my Clinical Pastoral Education training in seminary, I spent months in the NICU at the NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, where our daughter will be delivered. I would speak to the parents and families, and as part of my nightly rounds, I would bless the babies and pray for them as they lay quietly in their incubators. Occasionally, I would be asked to help parents through their grief when a baby died.
I have often wondered how my faith would handle a real difficulty. In the early days of this journey, I can honestly report that my faith is stronger. Not because I am bargaining with God for a good result, but because my weakness in the face of this hard news has brought me closer to Jesus.
Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:8-10)I
A Message from the Wardens
SCC CORNER | GIVE FROM THE HEART | Reflecting On One's Legacy
The Stewardship and Communications Committee (SCC) is implementing the Lenten stage of its Give From The Heart campaign and has invited members to give their thoughts on what it means to be remembered or leave a legacy.
Today’s Testimonial: Laura Freseman
My mom's updated will includes a bequest to the Congregation of Saint Saviour, so, yes, it is Joan Ogden's legacy.
But it's also my legacy and your legacy, too.
How is it my legacy? I'm the reason she attended that first Sunday service back in August of 1993. Actually, she said "No!” when I initially asked. We weren't a church-going family. But, I had just spent six months 'attending' church in India -- to look virtuous in front of my host-family. And, I had also promised God that I'd get baptized if He ensured a successful stay there. So, I figured I owed God a trip to the Cathedral.
God has a legacy too, and He had bigger plans. Not only did I manage, with much pleading, to convince my mom to come with me, but, after I headed abroad again in September, she kept going and going, and that very year she had herself baptized and joined the Congregation of Saint Saviour.
My mom's 'legacy' is well known. These past thirty years she's been quite active at the Cathedral: she's served as an usher, a lector, a Cookie Angel, a vestry member, a Crafts Fair volunteer; worked in prison ministry, manned the Congregation's hospitality table, etc., etc.
So, how is her bequest your legacy? My mom would have never continued going if it weren't for the wonderous love, comfort, and support she received from members of the Congregation and from the Cathedral staff. You welcomed her as a stranger to Christianity and the Episcopal church; you sponsored her for Baptism; you gave her opportunities in abundance to live out her faith. And, even though she can longer take part in her old activities, you are there for her in Morning and Evening Prayer on Zoom and at the Sunday service. Thank you, Laura
NEWS FROM THE CATHEDRAL - Cathedral of Saint John the Divine (stjohndivine.org)
Common Cup for Eucharist Reinstituted
At the Cathedral, the Dean and Chapter have decided to resume the Common Cup for Sunday worship on Palm Sunday, April 10.
For the weekday Eucharist, the Common Cup has been restored starting this past Monday, March 14.
LAUNCHING A LEGACY
Please join the Right Reverend Clifton Daniel III, Dean of the Cathedral, on Thursday, March 24, 2022 at noon for a virtual discussion to learn how you can create a lasting legacy with a planned gift. The Dean will be joined by planned giving expert James Murphy of the Episcopal Church Foundation. Mr. Murphy will cover a range of vehicles that can help you reach your financial goals while supporting the Cathedral in the future and will be happy to answer your questions. Please respond to Priscilla Bayley at pbayley@stjohndivine.org by March 23rd and a Zoom link will be provided. Thank you!
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:
Cathedral Office and Grounds:
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. 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: “Proclaiming God’s Deep Economy”
When: Saturday, April 9 at 4:00 pm
Where: St. Thomas Fifth Avenue (in-person only, no Zoom)
RSVP to East@dioceseny.org before 2:00 pm Thursday, April 7th.
At EAST's first in person event in two years, Dr. Jonathan Tran will present Asian American Christianity as good news in the context of this racist backdrop. He will tell the story of an Asian American community attempting to live into God's “deep economy.” While being honest about Asian American racism toward others, he offers a Christian account of solidarity and liberation for all oppressed communities. The talk will be followed by a time for reflection and conversation, and light hors d'oeuvres. Dr. Train holds the George W. Baines Chair of Religion at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. He is the author of Asian Americans and the Spirit of Racial Capitalism (Oxford University Press, 2022) which attempts to rethink how we think about race and racism.
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 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.
Bishop Dietsche Announces Return of the Common Cup
Sunday, March 15, 2020 was the last day before we suspended public worship in the Diocese of New York as a response to the Covid pandemic. Over the two years which have followed, we have seen coronavirus infections rise and fall, with seasons of surge and seasons of relief. During that time churches have relaxed many or most of the restrictions on public worship which we had introduced earlier, but the single requirement which has continued across our diocese has been the restriction against administering communion wine in the Common Cup. We have for all this time received the sacrament “in one kind,” and we have found that we have been able to continue to be a sacramental people, and we have adjusted to that new reality. However, with the waning of the omicron surge, and the dramatic fall in the rate of infections in all parts of our diocese, I have a new message: I am happy to authorize, effective immediately, the return to Communion in Both Kinds, and to permit, and encourage, the restoration of the Common Cup in the worship of our churches.
Read rest of the letter here.
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, March 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