DOCSLIB.ORG

To Learn, Live and Teach the Values of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
To Learn, Live and Teach the Values of the Gospel of Jesus Christ From the Rector’s Desk HE other week, Priscilla and I had the great joy and pleasure of spending some time in Alexandria, Virginia. The reason for our visit was twofold, it was the 20th T reunion of my graduating class from Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS), and it was also the consecration of the seminary's new chapel—the old one was destroyed by fire. Both events were joy-filled, celebratory, and up-lifting. The reunion was a great time to reconnect with friends who have been very important in my life and much loved. November 2015 Some of us have stayed closely connected over the years, but we don't see each other Volume 1, Issue 10 very much as we all work on weekends (clergy problem). The consecration and all of the events surrounding it were also a wonderful opportunity to reunite or meet folks from all Inside this issue over the Episcopal Church. In typical VTS fashion the chapel, food, music, flowers and From the Rector’s Desk…………………..1 preaching were all perfect. The weather was even beautiful the whole time. The highlight of the service itself was the sermon preached by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Treasurer’s Report ……......….………..…2 Welby. He was deeply heartfelt, uplifting, faithful, and humorous all at the same time. SJ 2020: Envision Our Future……........3 The four hallmarks of what I believe are needed for a good sermon. From the Associate Rector……….….....4 The one overwhelming theme for me the whole week was a renewed and reenergized St. James’s Center for Children...... ...5 hope for the future of our beloved Church. After the service I saw a picture being taken Music & Liturgy.….…..…………………... ..6 of Frank Griswold, the most recently retired Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church; From the Seminarian ..... ………...…. ….7 Katherine Jefferts Schori, the current Presiding Bishop; Michael Curry, the soon to be Presiding Bishop; and my dear friend Ian Markham, the dean of VTS (the largest Mission .......................... …………..…....8 Episcopal/Anglican seminary in the world and both Curtis's and my alma mater, so by Around the Parish ......... ………..…. .....9 extension and association the best). My first thought at seeing this gathering was, "If this Readings & Registry……………………….10 is the leadership of the Church, we are in great shape." The only thing is, no matter how smart, faithful, and dedicated these people are or the hundreds of other bishops, priests Women of St. James’s…………….……..10 and lay folks who were on "The Holy Hill" that week, the life, faith, and work of the Holiday Tea Flyer……………………..Insert Church is the responsibility and call of all of us. We all have a part to play in the mission of God. For each of us this work will be something different, but passive participation is not one of the choices. A life of faith and following Jesus is not a spectator sport. It will Highlights in November cost us time, much energy, and even our money to be faithful to God and this community. All Saints’ Sunday HE at 10am then Stewardship Brunch, Nov 1 Like Peter, James, and John at the transfiguration, sometimes it is hard to come down Taste of St. James’s at 7pm in the from the mountaintop, but it is necessary. This work that we are all called to do is parish hall on Friday, Nov 6 important, it is a privilege, and it can be a real joy. Second Sundays: Rhythms of Grace, 4pm / Youth Group, 5:30 pm, Nov 8 Your Brother in Christ, Greater Hartford Multi-Faith Prayer Breakfast at 7:15, Thursday, Nov 12 Parish Grounds Fall Cleanup, 9am to 1pm on Saturday, Nov 21 UTO Sunday Ingathering, Nov 22 Thanksgiving Day Eucharist at 10am in the chapel on Thursday, Nov 26 Church by the Pond, Nov 28 at 2pm To Learn, Live and Teach the Values All ages Stocking Stuffing Event, of the Gospel of Jesus Christ 10:45am on Sunday, Nov 29 Vestry Corner Treasurer’s Report—September 2015 Current Position: As we enter the final in the budget. Those earlier than quarter of the year, the overall financial expected payments were the primary position of the church isn’t quite as reason for the surplus positions strong as it has been during most of the reported so far this year. We expected year. In the box below, the overall the amount by which pledges exceed surplus relative to the budget is $1,737. budget to decrease as we moved closer While a surplus is better than a deficit, to the end of the year. The surprise is the surplus last month was close to that we didn’t expect it to close in one $12,500. The reason for the drop is that month. Year to date expenses remain income moved from $10,500 above below budget. Expenses are now budget as of the end of August to $2,940 below budget as compared to $1,200 below plan at the end of $1,987 below budget as of the end of September. As reported in this year’s August. Expenses will continue to be monthly reports, pledge payments monitored. were received sooner than anticipated “Generosity is not merely a trait that pleases God; it is a practice which releases us from bondage to the ego, and also to things.” - Albert E. Day (1884-1973) Income & Expense Summary: Category YTD YTD YTD Total Actual Budget Variance Annual Budget Income (+) $509,433 498,919 10,514 752,400 Above plan Expense (-) 501,782 503,769 1,987 756,900 Below plan Net 7,651 (4,850) 12,501 (4,500) Positive variance to budget Income: Year-to-date (YTD) actual income is $1,203 below budget (or 0.2% below budget). As of the end of August, YTD income was $10,500 above budget (2.1%). Expense: YTD expenses are currently $2,940, or 0.5%, below budget. As of the end of August, expenses were $2,000 (0.4%) below budget. Most of the expense categories are slightly under or over budget. Bring a Friend to Church 2 St. James’s 2020 Updates We are off to a good start with the small groups! On Sunday, October 11 over 30 people attended three sessions to discuss their ideas for what they would like to see happening at HE lay and ordained leadership of St. James's has been in conversation for some St. James’s in 2020, with quite a time about our future and what part we are being called to play in God's Mission. lot of positive feedback. It has become increasingly clear that if our faithful community is to move forward T On Sunday, October 18, we held actively and effectively in God's Mission, we need to take a moment and look inwardly at ourselves and assess our facilities. We believe that the best way to do this is to broad- another round of Vision Group en our conversation to include the wider parish. Meetings. Nearly 45 attended split between four small Our conversation, starting with Vision Group Meetings, will be a vital part of what we groups—one after the 8:00 are calling St. James's 2020: Envision Our Future. We are very excited about this op- service and three after the 9:30. portunity and pray that everyone in the St. James's community will be personally in- These groups were a good volved as we move forward into the future while respecting our past. Over the next 6 representation of the adult months to a year, the St. James's 2020 Committee and the entire congregation will take community within the parish. the following steps together: The age of participants ranged October – November: Between October 11 and November 8 (excluding November 1), from 19 to 90. Engagement was Vision Group Meetings will take place on Sundays after both services. Rather than one high, and many creative and large meeting after the 9:30 service, there will be two or three small group meetings, of thoughtful ideas were no more than 12 people each, taking place at the same time to facilitate discussion discussed. while retaining the diversity of the overall congregation. (Spouses are asked to not The common themes continue attend the same meeting to encourage multiple points of view.) to be somewhat the same as in Please attend at least one of these meetings. Even if you might be uncomfortable previous meetings, with an speaking in a group setting, please attend a meeting to listen to the discussion, and emphasis on mission then contact a member of the St James’s 2020 Committee either in person or by email engagement/community with your feedback. outreach, hospitality, and music, although there were some As these sessions unfold, the Committee will keep track of proposed ideas, and wheth- creative new thoughts on how er our current facilities would support them. The congregation will be continuously to approach these important updated with the ideas coming out of the meetings so that conversations can build up- ministries. on previous Vision Group discussions. This way we all can share in the excitement about the possibilities of improving our great parish and ministries! On Sunday, October 25, three more small groups of adults December – February: The St. James’s 2020 Committee will report all findings that assembled to continue the might impact our current facilities to the Episcopal Church Foundation. ECF will analyze conversation, along with a the results and prepare a feasibility study for funding these projects through a capital group of teenagers led by campaign.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Journal of the Thirty-Second Annual
    Journal Of the Thirty-second Annual Convention (unaudited financials) February 5-6, 2016 Holiday Inn - World’s Fair Park Knoxville, Tennessee The Diocese of East Tennessee 814 Episcopal School Way Knoxville, TN 37932 865-966-2110 http:/dioet.org Section 1 ______________________________________________________________________________ Journal EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS OF CONVENTION (Canon 1, Sec. 6, entitled to seat and voice, but not vote) Secretary of the Convention The Rev. Canon Patricia M. Grace Treasurer of the Diocese Mr. Ron Moore Chancellor of the Diocese Ms. Sarah Sheppeard Vice-Chancellors of the Diocese Mr. Chris Cone Mr. Thomas Peters The Hon. Neil Thomas The Hon. L. Marie Williams Mr. George R. Arrants. Jr. Chair of the Committee on Constitution and Canons The Hon. L. Marie Williams Registrar of the Diocese The Rev. Canon Patricia M. Grace Lay Members, Bishop and Council Ms. Jan Lewis, Mr. Jerry Lowery, Mr. Bunky Seay, Ms. Alison Chimley, Ms. Margaret Bickley Lay Members, Standing Committee Ms. Andrea Odle, Ms. ChristopherRobinson, Sister Michael Julian Davidson President of the Board, Episcopal Endowment Corporation Mr. W. A. (Pete) Stringer Head of School, St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School Mr. Justin Chamberlain, Interim Dean of the School of Theology, University of the South The Rt. Rev. Dean J. Neil Alexander University of the South Dr. John M. McCardell, Jr., Vice Chancellor Chaplain, University of the South The Rev. Thomas E. Macfie, Jr. Parliamentarian Assistant Parliamentarian Mr. Thomas Peters Ms. Sarah Sheppeard Section 1, Page 1 of 20 2016 CONVENTION ARRANGEMENTS COMMITTEE Host Parishes St. Timothy’s Signal Mountain Grace Church, Chattanooga Reception All saints, Morristown St.
    [Show full text]
  • Lent and Easter Resources 2019
    Lent and Easter Resources 2019 Save 25% through 3/6/2019 Use code Lent2019 Lent_2019_Catalog.indd 3 11/12/18 17:24 New Lent Resources Sense and Sensibility A Lenten Exploration Sam Portaro “I can think of no better way to journey though Lent and Holy Week than to join Sam Portaro in an exploration of our five senses as pathways to a fuller awareness of ourselves and our relation to God.” —Frank Griswold, 25th Presiding Bishop, The Episcopal Church “Sensuality and bodily experience: descriptions rarely applied to a Lenten study book, but here, directly on point. In an age when most of us live digitally, Sam beckons us to the incarnate life and asks us to engage our selves, souls, and bodies with Jesus as we travel toward the empty tomb. A must-read for any Christian on the journey today.” —Michael R. Sullivan, President/CEO, Kanuga Conferences 9781640651272 | $12.95 | Special Price: $9.71 Hanging by a Thread The Questions of the Cross Samuel Wells Hanging by a Thread revisits the harrowing story at the very heart of Christianity. With unswerving courage, elegant simplicity, and captivating example, it scrutinizes the assumption that the crucifixion was about fixing human problems, and instead suggests it was the culmination of God’s disarming purpose to be with us, no matter what. This transformation from “for” to “with” discloses a profound, moving, and inspiring vision of what the central event of the Christian faith was truly about. 9780898699777 | $9.95 | Special Price: $7.46 Getting to Know Jesus (Again) Meditations for Lent Peter M.
    [Show full text]
  • VTS at General Convention | Virginia Theological Seminary Magazine PAGE 20 Table of Contents PHOTO by SHAWN EVELYN ’19
    FALL 2018 VTS at General Convention www.vts.edu | Virginia Theological Seminary Magazine PAGE 20 Table of Contents PHOTO BY SHAWN EVELYN ’19. EVELYN PHOTO BY SHAWN Sharon Williams, Lisa Bornt, Anna Broadbent, Dina Widlake, and Cornelia Eaton with the Class of 2018 gift—three handmade rugs from the Navajo Nation. More on this class gift will be highlighted in the 2017–18 Annual Report. Features 12 Commencement 16 Earth Day Matters: Plastics, On Thursday, May 17, Virginia Theological Pollutants, and the Humble Bee Seminary celebrated our 195th Commencement, “Sermon-writing with Earth Day” is the latest awarding degrees to 60 students. environmental initiative from the Rev. Canon Peter Gwillim Kreitler ’69. 20 VTS at General Convention 2018: Always Stay In Conversation Something was palpably different about the 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Church in Austin, Texas, this past July, and people noticed. Virginia Theological Seminary Magazine is published three times per year (January, May, and September) for alumni and friends by the Communications Office, Virginia Theological Seminary, 3737 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA 22304. Editorial comments should be directed to [email protected]. 34 New bicentennial banners, that are being installed across campus, are just the beginning of how VTS plans to celebrate and acknowledge our 200th anniversary. The countdown begins! Elizabeth Henry McKeever ’19, Valerie Mayo ’19, and Carissa Riedesel harvest honey from Seminary hives. 16 Departments 4 Dean’s Message 6 Faculty News 8 On Holy Hill 10 Academic Affairs and Student Life 14 Scene at VTS 26 Center for Anglican Communion Studies ON THE COVER Joshua Barrett ’20, of the Dioceses 28 Lifelong Learning of Rochester, vlogged about his experience at the 79th General 32 Advancing VTS Convention.
    [Show full text]
  • St. Mary's Messenger
    St.St. Mary’sMary’s MessengerMessenger SSPECIALPECIAL EEDITIONDITION:: SSEPTEMBEREPTEMBER 30,30, 20202020 St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Dousman, Wisconsin LATEST UPDATE from St. Mary’s during the Covid-19 Pandemic (Coronavirus) With all the changes from the social distancing and Fall Fest Pie Sale is October 3! quarantining, we have more frequent newsletters to communicate updates to the parish. Fall Fest Pie Pickup has been moved to Saturday, October 3 between 3 - 5 p.m. The date was changed Update from Mother Pippa to protect the freshness and quality of the pies. Drive In Service Musician Dean Richard will be playing outside from We had our first drive in service on 2:30 to 5 p.m. for volunteers, including the Western Sunday, September 20, and it was Lakes Fire Department and everyone driving in to so great! I was delighted to see so pick up a pie. many familiar faces and the weather could not have been more Wondering How You Can Help? perfect. We are looking for someone to coordinate a We had team of volunteers to greet people at their cars 47 join us for worship and and then deliver pies to the cars. We will have a holy communion. We will total of 75 pies to deliver and need 4 or 5 people continue to try to improve on the team in addition to our Fire Department the service, so please feel volunteers. If you are willing to coordinate, please contact Noelle Bryant-Nanz at 262-888- free to offer your 2770 or at [email protected].
    [Show full text]
  • Michael B. Curry, “Healing a House Divided” Lecture Sponsored by the John C
    Michael B. Curry, “Healing a House Divided” Lecture sponsored by the John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics Graham Chapel at Washington University in St. Louis April 4, 2017 Holden Thorp, Provost, Washington University in St. Louis Welcome, everyone. What a thrill it is to welcome you to this event that we have Been looking forward to for such a long time. To have the presiding Bishop Curry visiting us here at Washington University, it is the goal of the Danforth Center on Religion and Politics to embody great teaching and scholarship, But also to host conversations like this that draw folks interested in the topics of religion and politics in America to venues like this for what is oBviously going to Be another very important conversation. So thanks to all of you for joining us and congratulations to Marie Griffith and the folks at the Danforth Center on putting together yet another spectacular event. It is a special privilege for me to Be here to welcome my old friend, Michael Curry, who I’ve known since I was a parishioner at Holy Family, long Before I came to St. Louis, and those of you who know Michael know that he is an inspirational preacher, he is a leader of exceptional compassion and courage and I’ve never Been prouder to Be an Episcopalian than when Michael Curry was named the presiding Bishop. So Michael thank you for all you do for us. And to introduce Michael, another person of extraordinary generosity and vision who made it possiBle for us to Be here today, his vision for the Center and all we are doing today has transformed the University and given us a new way to engage with the public on topics that are of great importance, so it’s my pleasure now to turn it over to one of the greatest friends that Washington University has, Senator Jack Danforth.
    [Show full text]
  • Brand New Light | Virginia Theological Seminary Magazine 1 PAGE 14 Table of Contents
    SPRING 2018 Brand New Light www.vts.edu | Virginia Theological Seminary Magazine 1 PAGE 14 Table of Contents Dr. Amy Dyer talks to seniors at commencement rehearsal in 2011, held in Calloway Chapel at Features Episcopal High School. 14 Brand New Light 30 Getting the Biblical Balance The recent installation of three stained glass How do Episcopalians find the biblical windows transform more than Immanuel balance? We start with the truth. Chapel. 19 The Spiritual Vocation of Dr. Amy Dyer We recognize Dr. Dyer’s impressive contributions and influence, which have taken on many forms over three decades. Virginia Theological Seminary Magazine is published three times per year (January, May, and September) for alumni and friends by the Communications Department, Virginia Theological Seminary, 3737 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA 22304. Editorial comments should be directed to [email protected]. 37 The Rt. Rev. James J. (Bud) Shand retires from the VTS Board of Trustees. Community leader Lonnie Hamilton III and Departments NASA astronaut Charles F. Bolden Jr. were the recipients of the 2017 Dean’s Cross. 4 Dean’s Message 8 6 Faculty News 8 On Holy Hill ON THE COVER On Thursday, January 4, 2018, the three oculus windows 10 Academic Affairs and Student Life designed by artist Brian Clarke arrived from England and were installed in 12 Scene at VTS Immanuel Chapel, including this interpretation of the reflection of 23 Lifelong Learning the Parable of the Sower window in Canterbury Cathedral, which now rises 26 Center for Anglican Communion Studies above the Chapel’s south transept. The Rev. Barney Hawkins IV, Ph.D.
    [Show full text]
  • Journal of the 230Th Convention
    Journal of the 230th Annual Convention 2014 Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut 290 Pratt Street Meriden, CT 06450 203-639-3501 (main) 203-235-1008 (fax) Table of Contents People, Committees, & Communities Officers of our Diocese, Committees, Commissions 2 Deaneries 4 Diocesan Staff 7 Parishes & Mission Stations 8 Summer Chapels 16 Chapels of Institutions 16 Educational & Charitable Institutions 18 Clergy in the Order of Canonical Residence 19 Lay Delegates Attending Convention 31 Minutes of the 230th Annual Convention Friday 36 Saturday 43 Supporting Documents Resolutions 50 Resolution Appendices 56 Reports to Convention 65 Bishop’s Address 78 Episcopal Acts 84 Budget 87 Parochial Membership Statistics 96 Parochial Financial Statistics 102 Appendix Constitution of the Diocese of Connecticut 109 Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut 112 1 Bishop The Rt. Rev. Ian T. Douglas, B.A., M.A., M.Div., Ph.D. Office: 290 Pratt St., Meriden, 06450 Residence: 1 Collins Ln., Essex, 06426 Bishops Suffragan The Rt. Rev. James E. Curry, B.A., M.Div. Office: 290 Pratt St., Meriden, 06450 Residence: 14 Linwold Dr., West Hartford 06107 The Rt. Rev. Laura J. Ahrens, B.A., M.Div., D.Min. Office: 290 Pratt St., Meriden, 06450 Residence: 47 Craigmoor Rd., West Hartford, 06107 Standing Committee Clerical Lay The Rev. Greg Welin – 2015 Ms. Nancy Noyes – 2015 The Rev. Richard Maxwell – 2016 Mr. Joseph Carroll, Jr. – 2016 The Rev. Alex Dyer (Chair) – 2017 Mr. Bates Lyons – 2017 The Rev. Diana Rogers – 2018 Mr. Edward Seibert – 2018 The Rev. Tracy Russell Johnson – 2018 Ms. Kim Polhemus – 2019 General Convention – Salt Lake City, Utah 2015 Clerical Deputies Lay Deputies The Rev.
    [Show full text]
  • 80Th General Convention of the Episcopal Church 2022
    The Episcopal Church Reports to the 80th General Convention Otherwise known as The Blue Book Volume 1 Reports of the Committees, Commissions, Agencies, and Boards to The General Convention of The Episcopal Church Baltimore, in the State and Diocese of Maryland July 7th – 14th, 2022 Copyright © 2021 The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America Office of the General Convention 815 Second Avenue New York, New York 10017 Preface A.D. 2021 A few years ago, a meme appeared showing a neighborhood map with a drawing of a steepled church building labeled, “This is not a church.” Nearby were drawings of streets, shops, hospitals, and houses – each one with the caption, “This is the church.” If we didn’t already know, the years since the 79th General Convention have certainly surprised us with that insight. When a pandemic causes the cessation of public worship and a severe limitation of traditional sacramental and public ministries of the church, existential questions become as common as musings on the weather. What is the church when familiar milestones and measures become meaningless? What is the church when people are sick and dying around the world, and social divisions impede healing and comforting the sick and dying? What is the church when racial injustice is exposed at every level and in every structure of society? What is the church when truth becomes as fluid as Pilate’s fateful pondering? We will continue to answer these questions, but the global crisis caused by the emergence of Covid-19 concentrated our minds.
    [Show full text]
  • The North Carolina
    An edition of The North Carolina DisciplEVol. 20 No. 6 THE NEWSPAPER OF THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF NORTH CAROLINA June 2009 NC Diocese readies for 76th General Convention Theme of “Ubuntu” creates spirit of community as the Episcopal Church One Deputy’s Reflections examines important issues in Anaheim THE RT. REV. MICHAEL B. CURRY on Experiences of Ubuntu And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it BY THE REV. LORRAINE LJUNGGREN, lution went beyond Shell to include all international oil to one of the least of these who are RECTOR, ST. MARk’S, RALEIGH companies doing business with South Africa. members of my family, you did it DEPUTY TO THE The debate on both sides was passionate. Deputies from to me.” Matthew 25:40 76TH GENERAL CONVENTION big oil producing states had a financial stake in the boycott question, though some of their deputies spoke in favor of Thomas Friedman in his book The As I prepare to serve as a deputy the boycott. Finally the President of the House of Deputies The Rt. Rev. World Is Flat showed convincingly at my fourth General Convention, I called for five minutes of silent prayer before the vote would Michael B. Curry how interrelated and interconnected wonder in what new ways I will see be taken. In a room filled with hundreds and hundreds of we are in the world of internet, cyberspace and emerg- the face of God in those who will human beings, the silence was almost absolute. I believe we ing technologies.
    [Show full text]
  • Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi Consecrates Seage Bishop Coadjutor
    October, 2014 • Volume 139, Issue No. 10 Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi consecrates Seage bishop coadjutor Jim Carrington/Photo By Scott Lenoir captivating homily on why the ministry of bishops continues to [Jackson, Mississippi] The Very Rev. Brian exist in the Church. Richard Seage was consecrated bishop coadjutor of Seage was elected as the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi on Saturday, bishop coadjutor during his September 27, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at the Jackson tenure as rector at St. Columb’s Convention Complex. in Ridgeland, Mississippi, where Seage was elected on May 3, 2014, at St. An - he served since 2005. He was drew’s Cathedral in Jackson and received the re - also the dean of the Central quired consents from a majority of bishops and Convocation of the Diocese of standing committees of the Episcopal Church. He Mississippi, where he helped co- will succeed the Rt. Rev. Duncan M. Gray, III, as the ordinate and enable the ministry tenth bishop of Mississippi when Gray resigns in Feb - of Episcopal clergy in central ruary of 2015. Mississippi. The Rt. Rev. Brian Seage and his family, the Rev. Kyle Seage, and daughters, He holds an undergraduate Katie and Betsy, are greeted by members of the Episcopal Diocese of Missis - degree from Pepperdine Univer - sippi and visitors from throughout the national church after Seage’s sity and a master’s of divinity ordination-consecration. from the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest. He has been a priest since a member of the diocesan Restructure Task Force. 1998. Seage has been a camp director at Camp Brat - From 1997-98, Seage served as curate at St.
    [Show full text]
  • The Bishop's Address Diocesan Convention 2015 the Episcopal
    The Bishop’s Address Diocesan Convention 2015 The Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania Blair County Convention Center, Altoona, PA The Rt. Rev. Audrey C. Scanlan There is a practice in the ancient Celtic and Native American traditions that is called “Calling the Directions.” It is used as a way to begin worship, to find our place, and to center and ground ourselves. I’d like to open with a version of this prayer this morning. (Give directions for how to pray Calling the Directions in 4 parts. Pray the prayer. It is printed on the lavender sheets in our packets) Oh Spirit of the East, Land of the rising Sun, Of Air, the winds that blow across the lands. Of new beginnings each day and of open horizons. We bless you and ask for your wisdom and blessing here with us today. Please join us, Spirit of the East. Oh Spirit of the South, Place of Passion, Fire and Creation and inspiration, whose warm breath reminds us of summer days. Ignite our hearts with love. We bless you and ask for your wisdom and blessing here with us today. Please join us, Spirit of the South. Oh Spirit of the West, the land of the setting Sun, Of water and Autumn's whisper. Bless us with the knowledge of peace which follows the harvest of a fruitful life. We bless you and ask for your wisdom and blessing here today. Please join us, Spirit of the West. Oh Spirit of the North, place of quiet, stillness, of cave and deep earth.
    [Show full text]
  • In the Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ!
    THE CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD A Parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania The Third Sunday in Lent March 7, 2021 Sung Mass 10:30 a.m. WELCOME IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST! Whoever you are, wherever you have come from, and for whatever reason God has brought you here, we are glad you have joined us today to worship the living God. If the Episcopal liturgy is new to you, we hope this leaflet will be helpful in your participation; over time, the service will become more familiar to you. Should you have any questions about the service, the Episcopal Church, or this parish church, please speak with Father Kyle. We hope you will introduce yourself at the Tower door following Mass; we’d love to get to know you better! PREPARING FOR WORSHIP Please silence all mobile devices during the liturgy so that we can enter into a time of reverent prayer. The complete Order of Mass, including readings from Holy Scripture, are found in this leaflet. The portions spoken or sung by the congregation are found in bold print. Please feel free to take this leaflet home with you. ABOUT LITURGY AT GOOD SHEPHERD Worship at the Church of the Good Shepherd is rooted in the Catholic expression of faith as found in the Episcopal Church, a part of the wider Anglican Communion. During the pro- gram year, Mass is sung, and we use incense. We believe that our bodies are important in our lives of faith. We sit, stand, kneel, make the sign of the cross, and use other ways of praying with our bodies.
    [Show full text]