Beloved,
This week marks the beginning of my second year with you as Dean and Rector. Wow. So much has happened: we've learned to worship on Zoom; we've implemented new technologies to enhance our worship; we've sung loudly in the liturgical shower space of our living rooms; we've worn masks and stayed apart; we've come to appreciate the beauty and the rhythm of Morning Prayer; we've prayed for each other and grieved our losses. So much holiness.
But, of course, there is so much we have not been able to do. I have not been able to visit you in hospital or even in your homes. We have not been able to physically gather around the common table of love. We cannot sing together or gather to commit a loved one to God's care. We have not been able to baptize or celebrate confirmations and receptions. We can't look at one another over a cup of coffee and cookie and smile at the children gathered 'round. There are many of you I haven't even met. So much.
On May 23rd, as we celebrate the Day of Pentecost, we will begin the slow emergence from our time apart. We will gather in person (with our masks, still) and celebrate the Eucharist for the first time since I arrived a year ago. What joy this will bring! It will, though, also bring sorrow for the things we cannot yet enjoy. I pray that we can focus on the joy of being together, even with the limitations that come with that. The joy of greeting friends we have not seen and meeting friends we have never known. The simple joy of speaking our common language of prayer with one voice. The use of the word "we" in our prayers has never been more poignant than this past year and will never feel more joyful than when we gather again on May 23rd and beyond.
We are the body of Christ. All of us. Together. I hope to see you on May 23, in person or on Zoom, to mark this momentous time in our lives.
In Christ's love,
Greta+
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Cathedral Church of St. Paul News & Events |
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Eastertide Social Justice Outreach: Ingathering This Sunday |
One of the signs of Spring at the Cathedral is our annual Social Justice Outreach Ingathering, when we focus our fundraising efforts on local organizations that address hands-on support for members of our community, as well as those targeting systemic change in our community and state. Social justice fundraising is a form of support and power-building, not just a way to finance an organization's work, and raising money is an important part of the work of organizing, educating and advocating for human services.
In 2018 and 2019, we raised nearly $8,000 each year, and this is our goal for this year. Our ingathering is this Sunday!
You are welcome to mail a check to the Cathedral, with "ingathering" on the memo line, or donate online using the link here, and select "Social Outreach" so that your donation is applied appropriately. Please give generously!
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Pentecost 2021: Holy Eucharist In Person, Outdoors |
On May 23, we will celebrate Pentecost and experience communion as the body of Christ. For the first time in many months we are pleased to be able to celebrate outdoors, in person at the Cathedral, with two services at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
We will gather, masked and socially distanced, in the Rose Garden, (the green space adjacent to the Parish Hall along Battery street). There will be some chairs provided, but if you are able to bring your own, please do. We will also stream our worship online via Zoom for those who are unable or not advised to participate in person.
Please bring a small jar of water (non-potable is fine), either from your home or a nearby body of water for use during the service. Following our worship, please consider bringing a bag lunch and join us for a picnic between the 11:00 service and our weekly silent vigil and witness at 1:00 p.m.
In the event of bad weather, we will send out an email the night before to alert you of the cancellation of the in-person service.
We will have pre-consecrated wafers available for pick up by appointment any time, or during office hours (8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, May 18 - 21) at the Cathedral for those who prefer to participate via Zoom.
We need your help! We are asking for help with set up and clean up before and after these services. If you are able to arrive at the Cathedral by 8:00 a.m. to assist with chair moving, sound system set-up, and other small tasks, please let us know by emailing the Cathedral office.
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Episcopal 101: An Introduction (or Refresher!) to the Episcopal Church |
Are you new to St. Paul's or feel like you could use a refresher course on our church? Have you ever wondered what it means to be an Episcopalian? Or, how the Episcopal church is organized?
These and many other questions will be answered in an upcoming virtual gathering entitled Episcopal 101. This session, led by Dean Getlein, is being convened for those interested in becoming confirmed or received, but is open to anyone who would like to know more about our traditions and what has changed over the years, without any expectation of continuing with the class.
Monday, May 24, 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, May 30 at 7:30 p.m. These classes will focus on Episcopal Church History and The Book of Common Prayer.
Join us via Zoom
To dial in by phone: 1-646-558-8656
Meeting ID#: 825 8115 5291, Password: 1973
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Now Hiring: Two new positions open at the Cathedral |
We are now accepting applications for two new part-time positions:
Coordinator for Children's Formation: We are seeking to enhance our Sunday School program through hiring a coordinator to select and implement a formal curriculum, oversee the classrooms, and recruit and work with volunteer teachers. Please see the full job description here. This will be an external hire. Please share this announcement and job description widely!
Digital Missioner Consultant: We are seeking someone to assist in our move to a hybrid (in-person and virtual) church experience. Please see the full job description here. Members of the Cathedral are welcome to apply for the consultant job. Please share this announcement and job description widely!
Interested persons should contact the Dean directly by e-mail
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Cathedral Conversation: The Roots of Racism |
“Just what is going on with white people? Police shootings of unarmed African Americans. Acts of domestic terrorism by white supremacists. The renewed embrace of raw, undisguised white-identity politics. Unending racial inequity in schools, housing, criminal justice, and hiring. Some of this feels new, but in truth it’s an old story.
Why? Where did the notion of “whiteness” come from? What does it mean? What is whiteness for?"
In 2017, radio host and producer John Biewen took a deep dive into these questions, along with an array of leading scholars and regular guest Dr. Chenjerai Kumanyika, creating the fourteen-part documentary podcast Scene on Radio. (from the website www.sceneonradio.org/seeing-white/)
Join us for five Wednesday evenings in Eastertide as we listen to and explore together this series of podcasts about racism in America.
We began gathering weekly on April 14 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. to pray and talk as one body and in smaller groups. Each gathering is centered on that week's episodes, so if you've missed previous meetings, you can still join us!
May 12: Episodes 12 - 14
To join the conversation online:
Meeting ID: 893 8580 7285
Passcode: 1973
To Dial in by phone:
Dial: 1-646-558-8656
Meeting ID: 893 8580 7285
Passcode: 1973
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This Sunday is the sixth Sunday of Easter. Click here for the latest edition of The Sunday Paper, a weekly publication for children that includes Scriptural images, and stories that relate the Gospel to the Old Testament, the life of the church, and their own lives.
Children's Chapel: Mark your calendar and join us on Sunday, May 16 for our next Children's Chapel. Links will be available in a future eNews.
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The Sunday Paper [Junior], to which The Cathedral Church of St. Paul has a paid subscription, is posted here with permission of the author/illustrator, Gretchen Wolff Pritchard. © Gretchen Wolff Pritchard, The Sunday Paper, 19 Colony Road, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, www.the-sunday-paper.com. All rights reserved. This is copyright material and should not be further forwarded or distributed.
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Join us for our upcoming worship services via Zoom, either online or by phone:
Sunday, May 9 at 10:00 a.m., Service of the Word
To join us online, use the link here.
To dial in by phone, call 1-646-558-8656, enter the Meeting ID#: 848 0522 8551
then the Password: 1973
View or download the order of worship here.
Other Regular Services
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Cathedral Continues Hosting Silent Witness and Prayer Vigil in Response to Racism |
The Cathedral's weekly Silent Witness and Prayerful Vigil continues this Sunday, May 9, at 1:00 p.m., in response to racism in our nation, state, and community.
Please note that in order to comply with the Governor's safety regulations we are asking that participants arrive as close to 1:00 p.m. as possible, to disperse immediately at the end of the vigil, and not to congregate with those from other households.
In the event of really bad weather, we will send out a notification by Facebook (please use your own discretion). Be sure to bring a face mask and, if you can, a non-perishable food item - a volunteer will deliver all the donations gathered at the vigil to the Food Shelf. If you have a sign you would like to hold, bring it! This event is open to the community.
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For Our Prayers This Week |
We pray for blessings, joy, and peace for those who celebrate birthdays this week: Rick Robinson, Mark Howe, Molly Comeau.
Let us name before God those for whom we offer our prayers: Mary Magot; Michael Hill; Lois LaFountain; Jean Erno; Bill Metcalfe; Chuck; Ted Braun; Jackie; Michael Fernandez; Lillian Robinson; Stewart McHenry; Daniel McMillan; Emily Harwood; Peter Adams; Sarah Urang; Rachel Kauppila; Gene Grinnell; Elizabeth Webster; Danielle O'Hallisey; David, Carol and Samantha Simmons; Pat Barra, Rick Watts, Margot (Lisa Schnell's sister), David Glendinning, Debbie Altemus, Vaughn Altemus, Marion Montross, Naomi Hodgett, Helen McGrath, and Mary Carter. For those impacted by the increase in domestic violence. For all those suffering from COVID-19 in our country or around the world, and especially those from our own faith family who have loved ones at risk or are themselves at risk. For those who have died from COVID-19 and for the grief of those who loved them.
We pray for those who are in the discernment process: Susan McMillan; Kenzo An; and for our seminarian, Bram Kranichfeld.
We pray for the repose of the souls of those who have died:
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"It was like that with her mother - memory upon memory stacked together like the feathers in a wild bird, there to keep her warm, or when she needed to, fly.
She was the wings of her, the very wings."
--Tahmima Anam
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Lessons for May 9, The Sixth Sunday of Easter |
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O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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Submission Deadline for St. Paul's eNews |
This weekly e-newsletter is circulated on Fridays. Please have your pieces submitted to Jennifer Sumner at admin@stpaulscathedralvt.org by noon on Wednesday. Thank you. |
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ERD Spring Matching Grant |
Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) recently announced that an anonymous donor has created a $300,000 matching grant that would double the impact of donations made to ERD this spring.
Funds would be directed to the Moments that Matter program, which focuses on providing medical care, education, and economic opportunities to families in areas of extreme poverty.
To participate, you can use the link here and enter the amount in the Episcopal Relief and Development line, or send a check to the Cathedral, with "ERD" on the memo line. |
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COVID-19 Vaccine: Appointments Available to All Vermonters Aged 16+ |
Eligibility for COVID vaccine appointments continues to expand, and will be available to all Vermonters ages 16+ beginning Monday, April 19.
Anyone who would like assistance scheduling your appointment, please contact the Cathedral office at admin@stpaulscathedralvt.org.
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Contacts:
The Right Rev. Shannon MacVean-Brown, Bishop of Vermont
The Very Rev. Greta Getlein, Dean and Rector
The Rev. J. Stannard Baker, Deacon
Mark A. DeW. Howe, Canon Precentor and Director of Music
Jennifer C. Sumner, Office Administrator
Barbara F. Comeau, Financial Administrator
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