News from the Congregation September 10, 2021
‘Four Principles of Pilgrimage’; ‘Stewardship - Give from the Heart’ | September 12 - Return to In-Person Sunday Worship at the Cathedral; Congregation Fall 2021 Retreat Info, Volunteer at CCC’s Sunday Soup Kitchen, | 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, Wednesday: 7:30 pm Paul Bible Study).
Canon Lee
I am excited to see you in two days as we regather for in-person Sunday worship. As the program year begins, I am also excited that next week marks the resumption of our two Bible studies:
The Book of Genesis on Sunday mornings at the new time of 8:30 AM
Paul's Letter to the Romans on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 PM
This week, the Stewardship and Communications Committee has a message for us in place of the Wardens' column. I hope you will take time to read it.
***
As we prepare to renew our in-person common life, I want to suggest a new metaphor for our situation that might be helpful: pilgrimage.
In Ignatian spirituality, there are 4 principles of pilgrimage:
We choose this path. It does not just happen to us.
God uses our whole self, including our weaknesses, to help us walk this path.
The path is not a straight line. The twists and turns (and sometimes, dead-ends) are an inevitable part of the journey.
No matter what, keep walking.
We have chosen to live our Christian life at the Cathedral and with the Congregation of Saint Saviour. Our life in this community does not exhibit linear progress. Our imperfections help us move forward.
We have chosen this church community because this is where we have met the living Christ, who shows us the way from death to new life.
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him." (John 14:5-7)
When the path seems impossibly steep and we are exhausted by how far we have come and how far we still have to go, we keep walking.
Stewardship and Communications Committee - Give from the Heart
GIVE FROM THE HEART:
A Message From the New Stewardship & Communications Committee
Dear Fellow Members of The Congregation of St. Saviour,
We are pleased to update you on exciting developments about the Stewardship Committee and its work to fulfill the Congregation’s mission of making disciples.
We have merged Stewardship with Communications to form the "Stewardship & Communications Committee.” (SCC) We believe that given the size of our congregation, the talents that our members who serve bring, and our need for effective communications, there is significant overlap between the roles of these two committees and their members and merging them has already resulted in the formation of an agile, proactive team.
Our first task was to craft a Statement of Purpose, which we are excited to share with you:
The purpose of the Stewardship & Communications Committee (SCC) is to discern how God is calling our Congregation to faithfully manage all that we are given, so that God may use our gifts to transform us spiritually and to extend Christ’s transforming love to others. We do this by:
• Developing and implementing an annual plan based on the rhythms of the liturgical year to teach members how to cultivate God’s gifts through sacrificial giving
• Helping members identify ways they may contribute their time, treasures, and talents on a multi-generational basis
• To develop and execute an inclusive communications strategy that meets the needs of the Congregation and fosters a sense of connectedness and involvement
• Discerning how to best make use of the Congregation’s gifts to supply the needs of the community and taking action to address those needs
• To make our community accessible to the community and prospective members through effective management of social networking accounts
In addition to the Statement of Purpose, we are developing a Stewardship & Communications plan based on the rhythms of the liturgical year. This will tie Stewardship to the church calendar and make the practice of giving a part of our communal devotional life. Beginning with Regathering Sunday on 12 September, we will begin to build toward our first Stewardship event of the Christian year on Advent I, where we will focus on preparation for the coming of Christ, reflect on how God is calling us to grow over the coming church year, and consecrate ourselves to sacrificial giving.
Strong Stewardship levels, like every other aspect of Christian discipleship, requires education, repeated decisions, and continued personal growth. As your new SCC, we feel privileged to serve and eagerly look forward to educating, leading, and cultivating disciples who give from the heart!
Faithfully,
The Stewardship & Communications Committee (SCC)
Sharné Jackson | Neil Reilly | Oliver Mahrdt | Christopher Clowdus | Scott Klein
NEWS FROM THE CATHEDRAL
REGATHERING FOR IN-PERSON SUNDAY WORSHIP
On Sunday, September 12, the Cathedral will regather for in-person Sunday worship. All are invited to gather on the steps of the Cathedral starting at 10:00 AM. The service will begin at 10:30 AM. *** The Cathedral requires those entering its buildings to show proof of vaccination and to wear a mask.***
(Please note that starting on September 12, the Cathedral will open at 10:00 AM on Sunday mornings.)
After the service, all are invited to a goodbye party for departing Associate Music Director and Organist Ray Nagem in the Rose Garden next to Diocesan House.
Sunday, September 12
10:00 AM - Gather on Cathedral Steps
10:30 AM - Service begins
11:30 AM - Goodbye party for Ray Nagem in Rose Garden
CONGREGATION FALL RETREAT LETTING GO – AND TAKING HOLD
October 29 - 31, 2021
Holy Cross Monastery, West Park, New York
For more information and to register, click here.
GIVE/SERVE
Questions about Realm
Christopher Clowdus and Neil Reilly invite your questions about Realm, the Congregation's giving database, at this email address: stewardship@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 and to staff Saint Saviour's Table. Please CLICK HERE to sign up! Shifts are open through the first week in October. Thank you so much for volunteering!
THIS SUNDAY, September 12, 2021
In-Person Worship at the Cathedral
10:00 am - Doors to Cathedral open.
10:30 am - Eucharist Service (apprx. 1 hour)
11:30 am - Goodbye Party to Ray Nagem in Rose Garden.
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
11:45 AM - Digital Coffee Half-Hour (returns September 19)
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, (begins Sept. 15) Congregation Zoom Link
Sunday 8:30 am Bible Study | Genesis (begins September 19)
Congregation Zoom Link