News from the Congregation March 4, 2022
‘‘ ‘Raphael Warnock Sermon’ ; ‘Stewardship: What’s My Legacy Reflection’ ” |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, 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
One of the highlights of my trip to Atlanta was the closing worship service at All Saints Episcopal Church. The preacher was the Honorable Rev. Dr. Raphael Warnock, who is the junior United States senator from Georgia. He is also the senior pastor of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, which was one of the pastorates of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
It was a joy and honor to be part of the worship planning team. Our goal was to design a recognizably Anglican service, incorporating elements of jazz and gospel. You can view the sermon or watch the entire service online.
The church was filled to capacity with over 500 people in attendance. This meant that although I had worked on the service for months and had looked forward to being fully present for what was a deeply moving service, the planning team had to make a different choice. To allow more people to attend, we gave up our seats in the church and watched the service on a television screen in a side chapel.
In the Congregation's 2021 parochial report, which was submitted to the national church this past week, your wardens, vestry, and I came up with this vision for our future:
The Congregation will more fully embrace the particular mission we have at the Cathedral of welcoming the stranger, the visitor, or pilgrim (of which we get many more than most parishes). As a part of this radical hospitality, the Congregation will resume creating a space for reflection and conversation about the impact of racism on White and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) people, and exploration of ways to repair the harm and continue to build a "beloved community."
As a spiritual discipline this Lenten season, I would invite you to consider this question: What are you willing to give up to make space in our community for the newcomer, the pilgrim, and the stranger?
A Message from the Wardens
The Stewardship and Communications Committee (SCC) is implementing the Lenten stage of its Give From The Heart campaign and has invited four members to give testimonials on a bi-weekly basis, starting today and ending on Good Friday.
Today’s Testimonial: Marsha Ra
The Stewardship and Communications Committee is inviting everyone to consider their legacy this Lent, to contemplate how they want to be remembered. Here are my thoughts on this.
Lent is the time when we think most explicitly about our mortality. We are reminded with ashes on our heads that we are dust and to dust we will return. Ironically, life is so precious because we know it is finite. We have this much time and no more. When we think of a future without us, what goes through our minds? Or do we just avoid thinking about that? It is so hard to imagine not being in this world, this life, this body, any more. How do we want to be remembered? Many of my friends say that they want to be remembered by their children and grandchildren and they will be. That is certainly part of their legacy. Yet most of us will not be remembered at all after about two generations. We may be a name on someone’s family tree, but that’s about it. If a person is wonderfully gifted or absolutely evil and powerful she may indeed be remembered for many generations-- think Mozart, Joan of Arc and some of the recognized saints. But even they will eventually be forgotten as the millennia pile up and human life evolves, changes, or even completely ends.
Despite this fact, we all do have a legacy. That we walked on this earth will always be a fact, and, most important, we do and always will live in God’s memory. There are, I believe, two concrete ways that everyone leaves a legacy. One has to do with how we live in the world. Do we make things better or worse? Do we engage in acts of kindness? Do we try to help, encourage. In short, do we love? This may not mean that our names will be remembered, but it does mean that our acts will affect people in a positive way and, I believe, cause others to be kinder and more generous too. When I was in the second grade I remember a teacher telling us that each good act we do was like a stone thrown in a pond. The ripples go out way beyond the spot where the stone hit the water. As a seven year old I rejected what she was saying, oddly enough. And yet the concept stuck with me and I realize that it is true and add the fact that the bad acts all make ripples too, even if we don’t see them.
The second part of our legacy is what we choose to do with our worldly goods—how we spend our money when we are alive and of course, where we leave our goods, if we have them, when we die. Do we, as we live, give from the heart? Do we try to respond to need when we see it? And when we die, where will those worldly goods go? Obviously not in our coffins! Beyond our children, nieces, nephews, that most of us want to support, are there other places that are carrying on the work and the values we held when we were alive? We can thank them and support their work with a legacy gift. As they live on with help from our gifts, our own legacy lives on in the work that they continue once we have left the scene.
NEWS FROM THE CATHEDRAL - Cathedral of Saint John the Divine (stjohndivine.org)
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
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 9, at 7 pm (to 8 pm)
Prayer as Relationship
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