News from the Congregation November 2, 2018
From the Vicar
I am currently on a mini-retreat at Holy Cross Monastery with several priest colleagues. In the spirit of the complete silence the brothers are observing as part of their "Fall Contemplative Days," I write only to commend to your reading the letter from the Wardens.
The Rev. Steven Lee
Vicar
From the Wardens
There is a sharp contrast between the joy we share in our church home and the disturbing moments we face together as a nation. The Congregation of Saint Saviour is so wonderfully diverse. As a Jewish convert, your senior warden wonders if she would have stayed at the Cathedral when she first walked in-- 46 years ago this week-- if she hadn’t been greeted by Rupert Rogers, a devoted Episcopalian from the Caribbean. He welcomed her warmly and brought her to a seat in the nave. She noticed immediately the diversity and felt she could find a home here. We are originally from just about everywhere. As the woman in the Ancestry.com commercial puts it: our DNA is “all of the above!”
Last week two African Americans were killed in a parking lot because of their skin color. Eleven Jews were killed while praying because they were Jews and because there is a Jewish organization that assists immigrants and thus assists in the “browning of America.” Hatred and violence are certainly not new to our country, but it seemed to take on a fevered pitch last week--Incident after incident.
Our response on Sunday was to weep and to pray. After the 11 a.m. service people flocked to the welcome table to write prayers and messages that we have sent to the congregation at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. It’s a small gesture. But every gesture of love helps.
Next Tuesday we will have a chance to make a statement through our votes. Whatever your political persuasion, peaceful and thoughtful participation in our civic life is a crucial part of building community – so vote!
And now a word about our joy! On October 20 we officially welcomed our new Dean who was formally installed by Bishop Dietsche as the 10th Cathedral Dean. We had the kick-off to the Stewardship season with the brunch between the services on October 21. Some people then joined the broader community that came to enjoy special Halloween events on October 26. The second of our special speakers’ series, on Langston Hughes, attracted a good audience on October 17.
Here is what to look forward to in the coming weeks
November 4 there will be baptisms of three babies at the 11:00 a.m. service in this season of All Saints. Fifteen members of the Congregation will be away at Holy Cross Monastery on retreat, thinking about God and nature.
Thursday, November 8 Sage Table 6:30pm – 8:30pm Cathedral House, we host and welcome elders of the LGBT community for dinner and conversation, held under the auspices of SAGE, a national organization providing advocacy and services for LGBT seniors.
November 11 is the 100th anniversary of the Armistice, the end of World War I. In remembrance of this there will be special music and prayers. The 11 a.m. service will be followed as usual by our Second Sunday fellowship luncheon at 12:30. (Someone asked why it’s called Second Sunday. Well, because it takes place on the second Sunday of the month. Sometimes things are as simple as that. ) And Evensong will celebrate the life of Carl Sandberg, including a folksong sing-a-along.
November 14 6:30 p.m. at the third of our special Congregation sponsored speakers’ series NYU Professor Patrick Egan will speak about Religion, Politics, and Climate Change. He will be interviewed by the Madeline L’Engle fellow, Elizabeth Howard. This takes place in the Cathedral.
Saturday, November 17 12:15pm – 3:00pm The Laymen’s Club annual Canon West Lecture. Vestments: Their history and place in Liturgy. Leslie Bussis Tait Ph.D., Educator, The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Starting with the 12:15 Eucharist where members of the Laymen’s Club and Cathedral community who have died in the past year are remembered, followed by lunch in Cathedral House and the lecture. To add names to the list of those remembered email John Rumely jrumely565@gmail.com For Tickets, go to the Laymen’s Club site www.thelaymensclub.org
Sunday November 18 there will be a festive evensong at 4:00 p.m. to celebrate the 125th Anniversary of the laying of the Cathedral’s cornerstone and the 10th anniversary of the restoration. The Presiding Bishop, the Most Reverend Bishop Michael B. Curry, will be participating. There will also be a Thanksgiving dinner in the Soup Kitchen this day. More details on how you can help in the next letter.
November 29-December 2: CRAFTS AT THE CATHEDRAL, the congregation’s chief fund raiser, needs lots of volunteers. Email marshara500@gmail.com to let her know your availability. More information at the Congregation table.
Friends, our cup is definitely overflowing!
Tim & Marsha
NOVEMBER 2, 2018