Beloved,
I love this time of year as fall moves toward winter and the days get shorter. Oh, I certainly go through the annual shock of moving our clocks back by an hour and the sudden afternoon darkness, but I always adjust. My favorite thing about these darker afternoons is driving home after sundown, seeing lights on in houses I pass, picturing in my mind the activities inside those brightly lit rooms - meal preparation, homework, evening news, work-day processing, a cup of tea, a glass of wine, getting the evening fire going... And as I pass those houses and imagine those things, I am comforted by the seeming coziness and peacefulness of it all.
I need that feeling, that comfort, these days more than ever before, as the anxieties of this time pile up - increasing COVID cases, increasing deaths, political uncertainties, the inability to see family over these coming holidays, the uncertainty of just when we will gather again, and more. And I am reminded of one of my favorite collects in our Book of Common Prayer. It is offered on the Eighth Sunday After the Epiphany, a Sunday that rarely happens in our liturgical calendar, and it is beautiful. Perhaps it can offer you some feeling of peace and coziness right now.
Most loving Father, whose will it is for us to give thanks for all things, to fear nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on you who care for us: Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested to us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, p. 216)
In Christ's love,
Greta+
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St. Paul's Cathedral Events |
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Socially Distant Communion on Advent 1: November 29 |
The Diocesan Restart Team has announced permission for physically distant communion on the First Sunday in Advent, November 29.
At the Cathedral we are exploring the level of interest in such a worship experience so that we can celebrate the eucharist while staying within the state of Vermont's guidelines for safe outdoor gatherings. The service will take place outside sometime during the afternoon of the 29th and will be short. Please take a moment to answer the following anonymous one-question survey, below, to allow us to get a general idea of how many of you would choose to attend such a service:
From the Diocesan Restart Team:
"As the seasons change and as our church year comes to an end, it is now the time, even during the pandemic, when we can safely end our fast from Holy Communion. On the First Sunday of Advent, November 29, we will begin a new church year. We invite all parishes in the Diocese of Vermont who are approved for Phase 2 and Phase 3 opening; and that are willing and able and desire to do so – to join in a celebration of the new season and to give our thanks to God in a physically distant and safely managed service of Holy Communion on November 29. |
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Wreath Project Volunteer Opportunities Available |
The Wreath Project is one of the Cathedral's beloved annual traditions. Volunteers gather the week after Thanksgiving to assemble and package hundreds of wreaths for distribution far and wide, with proceeds from the project going to our outreach ministries.
This year, all volunteers must be masked and maintain physical distance.
Wreath volunteers are seeking helpers in the following areas:
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Wreath Delivery Volunteers: There will be a table set up outdoors to accept payment and distribute wreaths on pickup days. This team will deliver the appropriate wreaths from the Parish to the purchaser as folks arrive to pick up their orders.
For more information or to grab one of these opportunities, please speak with Penny Pillsbury: ppills949@gmail.com, or 862-3575. |
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Participate in Sunday Worship as a
Digital Emcee
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As we continue our journey of hosting worship on the Zoom platform, a new liturgical role focusing on managing the technical aspects of Zoom has emerged. Sometimes referred to as "worship manager," "worship producer," "worship technician" or "digital emcee," this person would, along with our current digital verger, manage aspects of online worship including managing participants, monitoring chat and coordinating screen sharing of pre-recorded music or other pre-recorded liturgical elements. The Zoom worship manager allows worship leaders to focus on their roles, knowing the technical aspects of the gathering are running smoothly.
We are seeking a few volunteers who can perform this function on a rotating basis on Sundays. There are a few requirements to know about:
- Access Sunday worship via a laptop or desktop, not a phone or tablet, preferably with a fairly current operating system
- Have access to and be familiar with a recent version of PowerPoint.
- Have some Zoom experience and comfort
- Possess a high level of comfort with computers, and things digital
- Willingness to try and fail and try again!
If you meet these criteria and are willing to volunteer to fill this role every few Sundays, please reach out to Jennifer in the Cathedral office at admin@stpaulscathedralvt.org. Training materials for this work are now available through the Diocese!
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Stewardship 2021: At the Corner of Hope and Gratitude |
Thank you to everyone who has pledged to support the Cathedral in 2021! As of Thursday, November 12, we have received 79 pledges, totaling $210,584.
It is not too late to make a pledge or request a pledge packet if you have not yet done so. Help us reach our 2021 fundraising goal of $300,000. Consider what you can give - the dollars pledged to our 2021 campaign will be used to fund our operating budget - salaries, utilities, outreach programs, and much more. Donating to the Cathedral's Annual Giving campaign enables us to accurately budget each year.
Pledges can now be made online using the link here. If you would like a pledge packet mailed to you, please reach out to Jennifer Sumner in the Cathedral office (admin@stpaulscathedralvt.org, or 802-864-0471).
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Join Us for Worship Sunday, November 15 at 10:00 a.m. |
We hope you will join us this Sunday, November 15 at 10:00 a.m. for worship via Zoom either online or by phone.
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
You can view or download the order of worship here.
Weekday Services
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Cathedral Hosting Silent Witness and Prayer Vigil in Response to Racism |
All are invited to participate in our weekly Silent Witness and Prayerful Vigil this Sunday, November 15, at 1:00 p.m., in response to racism in our nation, state, and community.
In the event of really bad weather, we will send out a notification by email and Facebook. Be sure to bring a face mask and 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 have birthdays this week: Nneoma Onuigbo.
Let us name before God those for whom we offer our prayers: Gene Grinnell, John Rouleau; Leo Bronson; Leslie Johnson; Elizabeth Webster; Danielle O'Hallisey; David, Carol and Samantha Simmons; Pat Barra, Leo Harrigan, Rick Watts, Bruce Campbell, Margot (Lisa Schnell's sister), Gloria (Heidi Parker's mother), 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 the repose of the souls of those who have died: Lee Bronson.
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"... if you are fortunate enough to have opportunity, it is your duty to make sure other people have those opportunities as well."
--Kamala Harris
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Lessons for November 15, the Twenty-fourth Sunday After Pentecost |
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Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; 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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UVM's Lane Series Presents Book Discussion, Organ Recital |
Author Stephen Kiernan's new novel, A Universe of Two, is based in part on the extraordinary career of Charles B. Fisk, who, as a young man, worked for the Manhattan Project in Los Alamos, NM. After World War II, he took a job repairing church organs and then went on to become one of the greatest cathedral organ builders of all time. Fisk built 83 instruments before his death, and his company continues to build them today. Fisk created Opus 68 in 1976 and installed it in the newly-built UVM Recital Hall. For the organ lovers out there, it is interesting to note that "our" organ is the first Fisk instrument to have a full-length 16' Principal on a manual division, and it also has the first pipes made in the Fisk Shop, including the façade pipes (for more information, see cbfisk.com/opus/opus-68).
This unique livestreamed event will feature Kiernan discussing his book, his research, and various details about the Fisk Organ. This will be followed by a powerhouse recital on the instrument itself by UVM Professor of organ, voice, and choir, David Neiweem, in addition to special guests Jenny Bower and Mark Howe. How incredible that this book has been written just in time for the renovation and addition to our hall!
This event will be live streamed from the UVM recital hall. Tickets are $20, and can be purchased using the link here.
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December Events at Mission Farm |
December 1, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Advent Quiet Day
All are invited to Mission Farm for a morning of meditation and centering as the season of Advent begins. This event will be hosted both electronically and in person (limited to 25 people). A bonfire and hot drinks will be available to keep warm (Cars can also be individual warming pods!).
December 21, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Celebration of Light
This in-person and virtual offering will mark the return of the light and the coming of Christ with an evening of prayer and contemplation. A bonfire and refreshments will be available for in-person attendees (limited to 25).
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Call for Stories: Social Justice and the Episcopal Church |
The Task Force on Theology of Social Justice Advocacy invites Episcopalians to participate in a survey, "Social Justice and the Episcopal Church: A Call for Stories."
The members of the Task Force would like to gather stories and deeper perspectives to support their work on behalf of the Church and invite Episcopalians to consider sharing their experience by completing the survey, "Social Justice and the Episcopal Church: A Call for Stories."
The survey will take approximately 15-30 minutes to complete and is available here.
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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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