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Now for the rest of the story:
On the one hand, having both Christmas Day and New Year's Day on Sundays was a special treat this year. On the other hand, combined with closing the cathedral between Christmas and New Year's, this schedule meant that we missed not only some significant Saint's Days (St. Stephen, the first deacon and St. John, the author of the fourth gospel), but also the story of what happened next, even beyond the circumcision and naming of Jesus we heard about last Sunday.
Like the season of Christmas itself, Christmas pageants usually end with the coming of the Wise Men which we will celebrate at our 12:10 service for the Epiphany on Friday. Though the scriptures aren't clear that they were men or kings (or that there were three of them), the scriptures do show that their visit triggered a violent reaction from King Herod, resulting in the killing of every male child under two years old... something which the Jesus escaped when his family became refugees, fleeing to Egypt in the middle of the night.
For Jesus, the Flight into Egypt did three things: First, it solidified part of Jesus' identity that would be later confirmed on the mount of the Transfiguration and the mount of the Beatitudes, that of Jesus as the second Moses. Second, the return from Egypt to Nazareth brought the beginning of Jesus' ministry in the area around the Sea of Galilee, where he was free from the immediate influence of the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem and where he would be able to find people receptive to his message and willing to become his disciples. Third, on a very practical level, time in Egypt gave Jesus the experience of living as a runaway political refugee in a foreign country during his formative years. This provided him with an understanding of the wider, non-Jewish world, an experience of poverty, a respect for diversity, an understanding of new languages and cultures, and a compassion for those who were different and outside of the mainstream. Today, with immigration as such a hot button, it is important to remember that as a young boy Jesus was a refugee, an asylum seeker, and an illegal immigrant. He was a child of illegal immigrants whose parents snuck him over the border by night. This experience would place a profound mark on both Jesus' ministry and the church that would bear his name. With all this in mind, it becomes clear the flight into Egypt was an extremely important part of Jesus' early life. In his efforts to destroy Jesus, Herod unwittingly not only insured his survival and success but the survival and success of Christianity itself. In his efforts to stop Christmas once and for all, Herod insured that it would go on thousands of years after he was gone.
"The Slaughter of the Holy Innocents" and "the Flight into Egypt" tell us that the Christmas story is far grittier and more interesting than Christmas Cards and letters might suggest. They tell us also tell us that God's power to transform darkness into light is greater and that Christmas is far more relevant and real than we might have imagined before.
Dean Shambaugh
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Lessons and Carols - January 8
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Lessons and Carols!
As part of St. Luke's Cathedral's continuing series of musical events, the Cathedral Choir, under the direction of Cathedral Musician, Albert Melton assisted by organist, Randall Mullin, will celebrate Epiphany and conclude the Cathedral's Christmas celebration with their annual service of Lessons and Carols. The service will be presented at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 8 (the first Sunday after the Epiphany). in the Cathedral nave. Scripture and Poetry will be read, hymns of the season will be sung by the choir and congregation and the service will feature choral music of Malcolm Archer, William Byrd, Robert Lehman, Richard Lloyd and Craig Phillips.. This is one of the most glorious services of the year and is a great opportunity to bring a friend to St. Luke's.
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Martin Luther King Day of Action:
Preble Street Faith Advocacy Network
Teach in on Homelessness
January 15, 11:30 am in the upper hall
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Come and hear about homelessness from people who have experienced it. Learn what is the best thing to do when you encounter a homeless person asking for help. Find out about what you can do to help end homelessness. WHO SHOULD COME: Any youth and adults who want to find out how they can help end homelessness in Maine. PRESENTERS:
Jan Bindas-Tenney, Advocacy Director for Preble Street.
The Rev. Dr. James Gertmenian, Former Chair of the Commission for ending homelessness in Minneapolis, MN.
Members of Homeless Voices for Justice, people who have formerly or are currently experiencing homelessness who will share their personal stories.
"I always wondered why somebody didn't do something about homelessness. Then I realized that I am somebody." (Anonymous)
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Celebration of Life for Ilona Berlin
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We are deeply saddened to let you know that St. Luke's parishioner Ilona Berlin died on December 6. A service will be held in Emmanuel Chapel On Tuesday, January 10 at 6:00pm.
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Martin Luther King Weekend
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Dean Shambaugh to give the benediction at the Martin Luther King dinner.
Click here for more information.
Guest Preacher on January 15: The Rev. Dr. James Gertmenian He served pastorates in New York and Connecticut until 1996 when he was called as Senior Minister of Plymouth Congregational Church in downtown Minneapolis. He served this 2000 member congregation until 2015, when he retired and moved to Cumberland, Maine. With the Plymouth Church congregation in 1999, Jim founded Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative, an organization that, by 2016, has developed over $100 million in housing, much of which serves formerly homeless youth and adults. Jim also co-chaired, with Minneapolis' Mayor, an 80 person commission that developed at 10-year comprehensive plan for ending chronic homelessness in the city. He has received awards for his work in social justice and interfaith relations. Jim is a hymn writer, and a number of his works appear in various denominational hymnals in the United States and Canada. The family has summered on Great Cranberry Islandfor nearly forty years. With Dean Shambaugh, Jim is a co-founder of the Preble Street Faith Advocacy Network.
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Help Evaluate our Christmas Services
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What did you think of the Christmas services this year? What went well? What would make next year even better? Please send your thoughts to
office@cathedralofstluke.org.
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Haiti Committee Meets this Sunday
All are welcome
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A Haiti Partnership Committee meeting will be held on Sunday January 8 at 11:40 in the chapter room. . Anyone who is interested in our work in Duny is encouraged to attend. This month we will be discussing information coming from Duny regarding the water crisis, teacher salaries and a few other items. All our welcome.
Click here for the latest Haiti Newsletter.
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Mandala Journaling as Spiritual Practice From birth to endings, our lives conform in myriad ways to the 12 stages of the mandala Great Round. This class uses a variety of mandala-making techniques to deepen our awareness at each stage of the journey. 3rd Saturdays, 9-11 in the Chapter Room. $5 materials donation. Contact Linda Carleton for more information.
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Weekly Child Care:
Our nursery (adjacent to the Upper Parish Hall) is available for children 4 years old and under from 9:30 am to 11:30 am on Sundays.
Please note that there will be no Sunday school or nursery care on 12/24, 12/25 or 1/1. Youth Group will not meet until January 8th after the 10:00 service.
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Sundays:
07:30 am (Chapel)
10:00 am (Nave)
4:00 pm (Nave) - Evensong
5:15 pm (Chapel)
Tuesdays:
Our Sunday 10 am services are
livestreamed on our website.
Remember, the office is closed on Mondays.
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Don't forget to Friend on Facebook - St Luke's Cathedral, Portland, ME
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| Click HERE for full calendar |
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Committee Heads:
Your Annual Report Are Due January 12
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Our upcoming annual meeting is slated for Sunday, January 29. All committee heads are asked to send their electronic reports to the parish office by Thursday, January 12. Question? Contact Lynne in the parish office at 772-5434.
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Spiritual Formation
for Adults
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The Explorers
The Explorers are choosing our next book. There are several intriguing titles under discussion. We meet in the Chapter Room at 8:45 on Sunday mornings. All are welcome.
Heart of the Matter
Dec 18. The child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. Is a virgin birth important or does it mean something else? How are new ideas conceived? We meet on Sundays at 8:45am.
Dwelling on the Word
is on winter break.
The Tuesday Bible Study
and brown bag lunch continues each week after the 12:10 service. Please note there will be NO 12:10 service or bible study on Tuesday, 12/27.
The Thursday pm Theological Study group resumes on January the 5th. We are reading Dr. Hanson's papers on Quantum Mechanics and on how nature's behaviors may provide insights into mandated human behavior. Current studies in cosmology have reopened the whole question of natural theology's relevance to people of faith. The materials are awe-inspiring and mind-expanding as one learns of creation's beginnings and continuing expansion. We meet at 7:00 pm in the Chapter Room.
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So far we have received 173 pledges with a total of $338,400.28 Our goal is at least $350,000.
If you lost your pledge card or need stewardship information, click here! We need to have the information in as soon as possible in order to prepare our 2017 budget. Thank you!
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Parish Meetings in January
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January 22 Town Meeting on the Budget
with year end and year to come financial information
January 29 Annual Meeting
including an Appreciative Inquiry/Visioning process
Annual Reports are due Jan 15
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Financial Peace University is Back!
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Learn to take control of your financial life in a manner consistent with your values. This program will meet Sunday's from 9-9:45 beginning 02/05. Nursery care will be provided for young children. Registration information to follow.
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