Weekly
Postings
news & events
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From the Assistant Rector
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“Surely the Lord is in this place—and I did not know it!”
Genesis 28:16b
When Jacob awoke from his mystical vision, seeing a bridge connecting God’s life to his, he immediately grabbed what was at hand, a stone, and poured some oil over it. The act of marking God’s presence is an important one, but of course, he saw his vision within himself, so I wonder that he didn’t pour the oil over himself to acknowledge that he was a house in which God dwells.
I love our liturgies and miss the nearness and connectedness of worshiping together. One liturgical act I most miss is laying hands for healing in the Celtic Eucharist. I smear a little oil on the recipient's forehead, marking them with a cross and saying, “I lay my hands upon you, a beloved child of God, in the name of God…” I miss that act marking in word and deed; announcing the reality of your beloved-ness. I have hope that one day we will resume those acts of participating together in God’s life, grace, and presence through liturgical sacraments.
Is it so that God's presence only is in that beloved and sacred space? We openly acknowledge that God is everywhere, yet when we are gathered in that place for worship, does it not feel as if God is more readily and tangibly present? Maybe we grew too used to encountering God in that particular place. Maybe during this time of wandering in the desert—a time of disruption and confusion, of grieving what’s been lost, of awakening to an unfamiliar landscape; and longing, no, clamoring for the life giving water of community and bread of relationship—maybe we will renew our trust in God’s promises and learn to see where God is. For where is God not?
We are not accustomed to losing control and to not understanding when or why things happen. This is taxing and burdensome to us, and I find the disruption sometimes to be unbearable. We are in the desert, yet our faith gives us ways of renewal, refreshment, even resurrection:
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The practice I’m focusing on is self-love and love of neighbor. We tend not to be very good at either one, but during this time of isolation, we have equal opportunities to rest and to heal, to love and be loved. . . .
”
Barbara Holmes (click to read her full reflection)
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In what ways can you
practice
loving yourself? Maybe as a child there was someone who saw and loved you in the way that made your heart glow simply to be near them, knowing you were seen, accepted, totally loved. How can you stop now and
practice loving yourself
in that way, as God loves you? And, how can you stop and practice
loving God
in that way? Surrendering your attention for a little while each day to rest in God’s presence. Intentionally practice
loving yourself, and loving God.
And then how in this desert time of growing social and personal need, how can you practice
loving your neighbor as you love yourself and as God loves?
Practicing acts of love will recharge the well of your soul and awaken you to know and proclaim, as Jacob did, that God is in this place, dwelling within you, as promised from the beginning and unto eternity. Mark that awakening. Proclaim God's love by how you love God, self, and neighbor.
May all of us come to see and know that the Lord, indeed, is in this very place! May Christ, who gives the water of life, change our desert into a verdant land of life-giving love for all God’s children.
You are a beloved child of God. God sees you and loves you. Always. Now. Forever.
Get to practicing,
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EVENTS THIS SUNDAY | JULY 19
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SUMMER GATHERINGS WITH GODLY PLAY- Children through 5th grade
Sundays, 9:30 a.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID:
366 090 592
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This gathering will be a relaxed time where we have the chance to connect and talk with each other, share a story or activity, sing, and pray together. We will continue to meet at our regular formation time, Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. and you can join us by using the same link and password that we have been using each week.
See you Sunday!
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RECTOR’S FORUM
Sundays, 9:30 a.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 860 972 849
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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The Rector's Forum offers a time and place for engaging conversation that is not anchored to a specific curriculum or topic. Always we consider how to honestly and faithfully live out our Baptismal vows, now more than ever!
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NEW FORMATION OPPORTUNITY
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BECOMING BELOVED COMMUNITY
…WHERE YOU ARE
Ministry of Racial Healing & Reconciliation
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Fr. Jenkins is soliciting interest from those who wish to participate in the work of dismantling racism, which follows the framework of The Episcopal Church’s
Becoming Beloved Community
.
Yesterday
The Episcopal Church announced a new initiative to spurn parish leaders to pursue racial healing work throughout our churches and communities. A series of webinars is offered to explore the meaning and concepts of Becoming Beloved Community.
Email Fr. Jenkins
to connect with this group and learn more, or to express your thoughts and concerns.
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CHRISTIAN FORMATION - Reflection Group
The Universal Christ, by Fr. Richard Rohr
8 weekly 90 minutes sessions; beginning in August; meeting times TBD by participants.
Insights shared by a Saint Paul's participant:
"It led me on a journey that I never expected. It answered questions that I've had all of my life and helped me see things clearly and in a new light while at the same time making me ask new questions. I see people and things differently now. I see Christ in all things and in new ways. I feel a reassurance in these uncertain times and for the first time, I see a glimpse of how I might fit into this eternal plan. I'm thankful and thirsty for more. It was like drinking a cool glass of water on a really hot day."
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This small group gathers for eight structured meetings to reflect on passages from each week’s reading assignment. The content explores the meaning of Christ incarnated and implications following and practicing Christianity.
If you are curious and would appreciate speaking with a parishioner who already has completed the 8 session program, Fr. Jenkins can connect you will several people who welcome this conversation.
NOT INTERESTED in the Reflection Group, consider LISTENING to the podcast:
Another Name For Every Thing
. Season 1 presents conversations about the book. Subsequent seasons delve into being Christian from the theological perspective of the Universal Christ.
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Food Drive Collection and Delivery
Wesley UMC will be conducting a food drive on Saturday, July 18. Non-perishables are being collected for Columbia County Cares, and volunteers are needed to help sort these items. Volunteers, especially those with trucks, are also needed to deliver the donations on Wednesday, July 22 at 9:30 a.m.
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Manna Pantry - Saturday, July 18th
Manna Pantry at Saint Paul’s Church provides a box of food to those in our community who need this supplemental assistance.
Golden Harvest Food Bank will issue pre-packaged family boxes for us to distribute.
Due to COVID-19 safety regulations, interested volunteers must
email Melissa Friedman
and sign-up to participate.
Interested in becoming a Co-Chair of our Manna Pantry Ministry?
Email Melissa Friedman to learn more! *Position requires the completion of a virtual training on August 20.
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EVENTS NEXT WEEK | JULY 20 - JULY 26
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Praying
Together
Audience: All parishioners, visitors, and guests
THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE:
Daily Prayer Tutorial and Worship
Wednesday, July 22, 12 - 12:30 p.m. Followed by Noonday Prayer at 12:30 - 12:40 p.m.
Centering Prayer Tutorial and "Sit"
Wednesday, July 22, 7 - 7:55 p.m. Followed by Compline at 8 p.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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Our church's deepest and strongest roots are found in daily common prayer.
The Book of Common Prayer
contains a variety of daily prayer services for both private or public
use, but few Episcopalians today are comfortable with how to pray these prayers solo or in community (in whatever form it presently takes). Praying Together offers tutorials about prayer and our prayer tradition so that everyone may learn how to pray the daily prayers of our church, giving their attention and intention to God's presence in the community of common prayer.
Contact Fr. Jenkins
if you would like to request instruction about a particular daily prayer service or at a particular time.
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Noonday Prayer
Wednesday, July 22, 12:30 p.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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Following a Daily Prayer tutorial, all are invited to gather for a Noonday Prayer Service through Zoom.
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Centering Prayer Tutorial and "Sit"
Wednesday, July 22, 7 p.m.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
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"
Contemplative practices
facilitate and deepen our relationship with God.” This tutorial will offer a "beginner's” approach to the practice of Centering Prayer. “The more we practice and allow the transformation process to happen, the more we are able to experience the Indwelling Presence in everything we do."
Immediately following the tutorial and a very short “sit”, we join the parish for the liturgy of Compline on the same zoom meeting at 8 p.m.
Inquiries, questions to be addressed in the tutorial? Please send them in advance to
Fr. John Jenkins
.
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Compline – Facebook Live and Zoom
Wednesdays, 8 - 8:15 p.m., social time follows worship on Zoom.
OR from Zoom App, Meeting ID: 595 177 454
OR phone-in: (646) 876-9923
Compline is a beautiful, simple, and quiet service to end the day together in prayer with God. This service is led by members of the parish using an on-screen bulletin so everyone may pray together.
Following the prayers, which are streamed on Facebook Live, those who gather through Zoom have opportunity for a mid-week visit.
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OTHER RESOURCES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Saint Paul's Faithfulness
Offerings pledged this Week $15,000.00
Offerings received this Week $8,488.90
Operating Expenses to Date $540,098.61
Total Income Received to Date $520,523.09
Stewardship Campaign:
2020 Pledge Cards Received to Date 174
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Coffee and Conversation...on Zoom!
Sundays at 10:30 a.m., beginning August 2
Grab a cup of coffee and join us on Zoom before the 11 a.m. service for a few moments of fellowship! Participants will be split into "rooms" of 5-6 people to allow everyone a chance to simply catch up with your Saint Paul's family. We miss seeing all of you and look forward to this new opportunity to gather together. See ya on Zoom!
Be on the look out for more information, including the Zoom login, in the next few emails from the Parish Office.
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Are we missing your birthday?
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