News from the Congregation May 20, 2022
‘‘ ‘Bishop Curry on the Massacre in Buffalo’ ; ‘A Tribute to Dean Dan’ ” | Sign E-Card for Dean Daniels, May 31 Funeral for Nathaniel Queen, Volunteer at CCC’s Sunday Soup Kitchen, Aid for Ukraine, Columbarium Access | Sunday Programs: 8:30am Genesis Bible Study (Zoom), 10:30am Worship Service - In-Person and Online, 7:00pm Compline | Weekday Programs: M-S Morning and Evening Prayer (Zoom), Wednesday: 7:30pm Romans Bible Study (Zoom)
Canon Lee
In light of the tragic events last week in Buffalo, I'd like to use this week's column to share a pastoral statement made by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry on May 16, 2022:
My heart is heavy with the news that a white supremacist gunman took the lives of 10 children of God in Buffalo on Saturday. I grew up walking distance from the scene of this hateful crime, and my friends and I used to ride our bikes around the neighborhood. Buffalo’s Black community raised and formed me. I grieve with the city and people I love.
The loss of any human life is tragic, but there was deep racial hatred driving this shooting, and we have got to turn from the deadly path our nation has walked for much too long. Bigotry-based violence—any bigotry at all—against our siblings who are people of color, Jewish, Sikh, Asian, trans, or any other group, is fundamentally wrong. As baptized followers of Jesus of Nazareth, we are called to uphold and protect the dignity of every human child of God, and to actively uproot the white supremacy and racism deep in the heart of our shared life.
Please join me in prayer for the shattered families in Buffalo. Please also join me in expressing profound gratitude for the intervention by Buffalo police that likely saved many other lives. Even amid tragedy, even when manifestations of evil threaten to overwhelm, let us hold fast to the good. It is the only way that leads to life.
A Message from the Wardens
Senior Warden, Marsha Ra, writes the following:
A TRIBUTE TO THE VERY REVEREND CLIFTON DANIEL III, 10TH DEAN OF THE CATHEDRAL
Just about five years ago at a weekday 12:15 service, we were surprised by the presence of a very tall older gentleman with a warm southern accent, wearing vestments and ready to preside. The lectionary called for reading the story of Susannah. It is a very long story and he read every word—slowly. This was our new Dean. He sounded a little like Andy Griffith, who, I was to learn some time later, had been his baby-sitter! He shared a name with Margaret Truman’s husband to whom he was somehow related. This is definitely a world of Six Degrees of Separation. We very quickly learned that this new Dean was blessed with intelligence, vision and, most important of all, a welcoming and healing spirit, a spirit the Cathedral badly needed.
From the start everything about the Dean struck us as kind. The way he reached out to people at coffee hour and other fellowship events—he seemed to know almost instinctively who would most benefit from his friendly attention. There is no doubt that he quickly won the hearts of the worshipping community. He had some funny but comforting lines that he repeated often, such as noting that you don’t have to worry about whether or not God loves you because “God has very low standards!” Although his sermons often focused on God’s love, he was not afraid to talk about our political life, even when it offended some of the listeners. In an early sermon on the Trump presidency, he clearly declared him not fit to serve. Although St. Saviour is a pretty blue bubble, there are many visitors on Sunday morning and some were quite upset. It takes bravery to speak the truth and an open heart to hear it.
Many of the projects that began under his leadership are coming to fruition, including the massive restoration project and the expansion of the Columbarium. The redesign of the Visitor Services area has certainly improved things and the decision not to have bus tours tramp through the church during services was excellent. Other potential projects were stopped cold by the pandemic. (My favorite was his idea of establishing a pet cemetery where we could leave the ashes of our cats and dogs when the time came. Maybe that will still happen?) Yet his response to the pandemic was quite wonderful, including being willing to turn the Cathedral into a field hospital. The work of Cathedral Community Cares was expanded and blood drives take place regularly. There is COVID testing on the grounds, more food given out than ever before, the start of a food pantry. Many of the changes were not known by the congregation since it is not our business to deal with the running of the Cathedral, yet I was very pleased when the decision was made to not simply out-source security, but to bring all the security staff onto the Cathedral payroll, even if it cost a bit more.
One surprise gift of the pandemic was the discovery of the Cathedral steps. Several events took place on the steps when the Cathedral was still closed because of COVID. This has led to the fully vested clergy greeting people on the sidewalk before the Sunday service. And so, for those of us who regularly worship on Sunday, it was this model of welcoming and hospitality that stood out and it is reflected in the words people wrote on the two thank you cards that have been circulating at coffee hour. They will be handed to Dean Dan this coming Sunday, but I think some of the messages on these cards are worth sharing. In addition to the expected “thank you” and “happy retirement” there is a repeated theme of recognizing the warmth, humor, and welcoming spirit that the Dean engendered.
… Thank you so much for all your thoughtful sermons, words of advice and friendship over the past 5 years. You are a true blessing for our family…
…Thank you for your welcoming and caring service to us all…
…I am saddened to know that you will be leaving the Cathedral community. I will always remember you because you personally welcomed me into the Cathedral and I am still attending services. I wish you the very best.
…Thank you for your love, grace, and extraordinary leadership. I always found your sharing about Matthew Shepherd so inspiring…one more reason I’m proud to be an Episcopalian.
…Thank you for your warm-hearted leadership these last five years..
…Your welcoming homey style is what I love best…
…Thank you for your welcoming spirit
…You have been such a blessing in our lives. Thank you
…You have been such an inspiration to us all and the Cathedral. God bless you always…
…I will always remember you for your support of the LGBT community. God bless you.
Dear Dan, you came when we needed you most and taught us about true hospitality. Many blessings…
…thank you for modeling for me how to have an open and tender heart…
…Thank you for your amazing grace and leadership. I will miss your sermons your humor and being your acolyte!
…Thank you for your generosity and love for our congregation .We will miss you.
So, from someone who has been retired for 19 years to someone who has failed retirement at least three times:
HAPPY RETIREMENT! MAY IT BE LONG AND FILLED WITH BLESSINGS!
NEWS FROM THE CATHEDRAL - Cathedral of Saint John the Divine (stjohndivine.org)
GOODBYE TO DEAN DANIELS
Sunday, May 22: Coffee Hour Celebration for the Dean
When: After the 10:30am service; Where: Cathedral Nave
We will be honoring Dean Dan at our coffee hour on May 22. If you would like to sign a card, this link will lead you to a group greeting card that you can sign. There will also be a physical card available at coffee hour.
Sunday, May 29: The Dean's final Sunday service
The Bishop of New York will preach.
Tuesday, May 31 10:30 am Funeral for Nathaniel Queen
A Requiem Eucharist for Nathaniel Queen, long-time member of the Congregation, will be held on Tuesday, May 31st at 10:30 AM in the Chapel of St. James.
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.
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)
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, May 15, 2022
In-Person Worship at the Cathedral
10:00 am - Doors to Cathedral open.
10:30 am - Eucharist Service (apprx. 1 hour)
11:30 am - All are Welcome Coffee 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