News from the Congregation August 2, 2019
Summer Break; Backpack Drive, Pride Week Evensong Celebration, Pride March Float, Second Sundays, Newsletter Break
(The Congregation newsletter will be on break until late August when it returns on its usual weekly schedule.)
From Fr. Steven
Warm days, like the kind we have had this week in New York, remind me of one of my favorite activities when I was in school. The university I attended had a famous museum dedicated to British art on the grounds of the campus, and although it was free, there were usually very few visitors.
So on warm days, it was the perfect place to cool down, sit in deep silence, and spend an hour or two looking at portraits by Thomas Gainsborough or landscapes by John Constable. My favorite was probably J. M. W. Turner's extraordinary painting Dort or Dordrecht: The Dort packet-boat from Rotterdam becalmed, but even looking at less "famous" paintings, in that calm and peaceful setting, brought me a deep joy.
That experience sums up for me the essence of the summer spirit -- a time when our normally hyper-efficient culture gives us permission to relax, to take a breath, and even (gasp) to waste time by lollygagging in a museum on a warm afternoon.
In that same spirit of sabbath rest, this newsletter will be taking a break for the rest of the summer. The wardens and I plan to resume our weekly publishing schedule in late August. During this break, I hope that wherever you are--on a beach, in the mountains, on water, in Europe, in your home--you will be able to let yourself "waste" some time by doing something unproductive, like daydreaming or napping.
The Rev. Steven Lee
Vicar
From Marsha and Tim
Back Pack Project, 2019 – Help us close the gap
We plan to fill 75 back packs for needy children in late July and bless them at the 11:00 a.m. service on Sunday, August 4. Cathedral Community Cares will be handing them out to the children of their clients in time for the start of school. We are about two thirds to our goal. If you have made a donation, thank you. If you have not and wish to, please stop by stop by the Welcome Table at coffee hour before and after the 9 and 11 services or go to the Congregation Website (www.saintsaviour.org) where you can donate through Paypal.
If you wish to help us organize the supplies and fill the packs, listen for announcements at the services in July.
Pride March Sunday June 30
The Diocese has rented a float and many congregations, including Saint Saviour, will march with their banners in the Pride parade. Check in for Episcopalians: 4 p.m. 32nd Street between Madison and Park Avenues. Section Number: 8; Order Number: 29; Confirmed Group Size: 200. The float will meet Episcopal marchers on Fifth Avenue. Space permitting marchers will be able to board the float during the March. (If you NEED to ride the float, please contact us at lgbtconcerns@dioceseny.org for place and time to meet.)
Kick-off to Pride Week last Sunday—a major success
Several hundred people from across the diocese attended Evensong at the Cathedral on June 23, witnessed the solemn unfolding of the Names Project quilt with the reading of names. Then a moving dance performance by Jody Sperling accompanied by N. Scott Johnson from Time Lapse Dance. All this was followed by a lively reception with good food, drink and a DJ turning the nave into a joy-filled celebratory space. It reminded me that David danced before the Ark of the Covenant. Well done Congregation of Saint Saviour! Special thanks to Kevin De l’Aigle, Tim Farrell, Lisa Chin, Peter Ennis and the LGBTQ concerns committee and many more.
Summer in the Cathedral
In addition to huge fans moving the sticky air around, this summer will have a few additional challenges. First, beginning July 1 post-fire cleaning will begin to assure that there will be no lasting damage--not as dramatic as after the 2001 fire, but somewhat disruptive all the same. Areas of the church will not be accessible and services will be moved around as needed. The cleaning project will continue into the fall. We will, however, continue to worship God and pray for and with one another.
The choir will be on holiday from August 18 – September 1. This means no choir at the 11:00 a.m. services and no Evensong August 18, 25 and September 1.
Second Sundays will continue-- light lunch and conversation after the 11 a.m. service in Cathedral House: July 14 and August 11.
Finally…. We will take a break from the weekly newsletter until late August. Rest assured, if something super important comes up, we will take a break from the break and let you know. In the meantime, we hope you all get a chance to sit on the beach, read a good book, and do all those summer things that you enjoy.
Have a blessed summer!
Marsha & Tim
JUNE 28, 2019