Beloved,
By the grace of God we will gather outdoors again this Sunday to pray, give thanks to God, and partake in the holiest of meals made of all the love in the world. I am going to take this space to outline a few logistical things.
- the service will begin at 10:00; please plan to arrive a bit early to arrange your seating
- please bring a chair to sit on if you can; we will have some available
- please wear your mask for the entire service, except when consuming the consecrated host
- please be aware that not everyone is on the same page regarding general comfort in public situations or vaccination status.
- If you wish to hug someone, please ask their permission and honor their answer
- If you wish to sit next to someone, please ask their permission and honor their answer
- please gather around the table - no need to leave a large space around it!
- know that the choir, members of which are fully vaccinated, will remove their masks to sing, but you should keep yours on
- we will not be policing how far apart anyone sits; please do what is best for you and for those nearest you
- please check in with an usher when you arrive so we know you were here!
- you may park in either lot and come in either door
- please be mindful that many are joining us on Zoom, and feel free to stop by the laptop in the back to say hello to them!
- check your e-mail before going to bed for rain cancellation plans
I never thought I would need to write such a list when I got ordained, but here we are. We are moving forward incrementally to ensure the comfort of all who choose to be with us in person, building up to our full re-opening in September! We are a new creation being formed by God, ever and always moving toward redemption. In the words of the great hymn text penned by Charles Wesley,
Finish then thy new creation;
pure and spotless let it be;
let us see thy great salvation
perfectly restored in thee:
changed from glory into glory
till in heav'n we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee,
lost in wonder, love, and praise.
In Christ's love,
Greta+
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Cathedral Church of St. Paul News & Events |
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Sunday, June 13: Holy Eucharist In Person, Outdoors |
On Sunday, June 13 we will celebrate the Holy Eucharist in person, outdoors. There will be singing!!!!!
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.
*In case of rain: Check your email Saturday evening! 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 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, June 8-11) at the Cathedral for those who prefer to participate via Zoom.
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VIA Makes Strides in Corrections Reform |
On June 2, Vermont Interfaith Action (VIA) held a virtual Action on correction reform for the Vermont Department of Corrections. The goal was to improve conditions at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility, the women’s prison in South Burlington. We invited Jim Baker, the interim commissioner of the Department of Corrections, and several legislators on the Joint Legislative Justice Oversight Committee. We presented a research paper outlining our recommendations and asked the legislators and Commissioner Baker to commit to working towards these goals.
The recommendation included reinstating the job of director of women and family services, training corrections officers in more restorative methods, connecting women at the prison with educational and therapeutic opportunities, and providing more preparation for release. Commissioner Baker agreed to work towards the goals and the legislators agreed with some qualifications. Also, heartfelt testimonies from women who had connections with the Vermont prison system were given.
VIA feels that it is a moral imperative to change the culture of the Vermont DOC to a new paradigm. The new model would replace a power and control dynamic with a culture of wellness to improve the physical, emotional and spiritual health of both the residents of the prison and the correction officers. We will continue to press forward with these issues to make the new paradigm possible.
You can check out some of the press coverage of this event here:
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We heard from several of you that the slide presentation of last Sunday's worship service was blurred and difficult to see online. We apologize for this and are working to resolve the issue.
In the mean time, you can always download the order of worship from our website here. Having the bulletin on hand enables participants to follow along with the service regardless of the legibility of the online presentation. |
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St. Paul's Choir Member's Got Talent |
Check out this video of St. Paul's Choral Scholar Maddie Cross singing the National Anthem at a recent Lake Monster's Game. Great job, Maddie!
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Diocesan Service of Confirmation and Reception at Mission Farm |
On Saturday, June 19, all are invited to join Bishop Shannon and adults and youth from the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, St. James, Woodstock, Calvary, Underhill, Church of Our Savior, Killington, and the Green Mountain Online Abbey for an outdoor, in-person service of confirmation and reception.
Join us in celebrating the dedication of these candidates as they express their desire to live as Christians.
Diocesan Service of Confirmation and Reception
Saturday, June 19 at 2:00 p.m.
Mission Farm Road
Killington, VT 05751
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Our Corner of Hope and Gratitude Reopens for Heavenly Parking |
For about sixteen years, long before we leased our parking area, a dedicated and changing crew has promoted the CCSP parking lot as the easiest in-and-out spot for access to the July 3rd Burlington waterfront fireworks.
Over the ensuing years, it has become not only the premier parking spot but also somewhat of a tradition for many families. As we gradually begin to experience our “new life” together, what better way would there be than to spend an evening at the Corner of Hope and Gratitude!
Two years ago, we parked 50 cars at $20 per car and, with a few kind additional donations, we were, for the first time, able to provide over $1100 to our Outreach Ministries. We hope to do the same this year.
We will be there early afternoon to close off the lot with saw horses so that we can assure full availability. By 4:00 p.m. we are ready to greet visitors, some of whom have been coming from New York since the initial year. Reservations are accepted from congregation members for whom we try to give prime parking – please send an email to Maureen ( maureensrees@gmail.com) to reserve spaces, and make your online contribution here.
The slow pace from 4-7 p.m. allows greeters, friends and visitors fellowship time with appropriate snacks and beverages; we look forward to greeting many of you face-to-face for the first time in 2021. We have filled the lot every year with a mad scramble beginning at about 8 p.m., when folks desperately seeking a spot form a line to get in. Then we really go to work. As darkness spreads, anticipation heightens and the community energy soars, we continue to patrol the entire grounds to assure safety for everyone and the church property. By 9:50, the fireworks are over and those who have parked with us are headed home clearing traffic far before others. We would love to have you join us.
Maureen and Tom Rees
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What's Your Vaccination Status? |
We are so thankful for the amazing development of the COVID-19 vaccinations over the past year. In Vermont, the large number of vaccinated people has enabled our church, our city, and our country to relax many of this past year's safety protocols. Thank you for your faithfulness and patience.
Here at the Cathedral, we want people to gather in health and safety. It's summertime. Be healthy. Enjoy the gradual reopening of long-closed parts of our world. We exist for grace and hospitality, and good health epitomizes those values.
In that spirit, if you would like to share your vaccination status with us at the Cathedral, we would welcome the information. Please email the Cathedral office at admin@stpaulscathedralvt.org, and enjoy the summer! |
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This Sunday is the Third Sunday After Pentecost. 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 Songbook
In order to support our Cathedral children and families during the pandemic, I led an online Children’s Chapel at 9:15 a.m. on many Sundays.
Our first Chapel took place on February 7, and has happened regularly since then, usually meeting every other week. It has been a joyous time of singing, drawing, scripture, and stories of the Spirit. I open each session with a welcome song – Hello, God loves you too, then describe the drawing project, read a story, usually referring to The Sunday Paper, sing a song related to the content of the day, show the pictures we drew, and then say and sing good-bye.
It was a delight to see the children continue friendships, make new ones, and also connect with some of the families and grandparents. For our final Chapel of the season I sent, in advance, an electronic version of our Children’s Chapel Songbook to each of the children and families who usually attend. We spent the final class drawing pictures to represent each song, and singing all the songs.
So, as a gift to all of you, here’s a link to the Children’s Chapel Songbook. I look forward to our new Sunday school program beginning in September under the guidance of our new Coordinator for Children’s Formation (interviews in process).
Enjoy the songbook! - Stan
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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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Weekly Silent Witness and Prayerful Vigil in Response to Racism |
The Cathedral's weekly Silent Witness and Prayerful Vigil continues this Sunday, June 13, 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 Facebook (please use your own discretion). Face masks are optional if you are fully vaccinated. Please, if you can, bring 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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Sunday, June 13 at 10:00 a.m., Holy Eucharist in Person, Service of the Word via Zoom
To participate 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
Password: 1973
View or download the order of worship for the in person Eucharist here.
View or download the order of worship for the online Service of the Word here.
Other Regular Services
Wednesdays at 9:00 p.m. on Zoom.
Upcoming In Person Worship
Sunday, August 1, 10:00 a.m., Holy Eucharist
Sunday, August 29, 10:00 a.m., Holy Eucharist
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For Our Prayers This Week |
We pray for blessings and joy for those who celebrate birthdays this week: Maureen Rees, Nancy Bloomer, Marion Montross, Steven Kopeck, Lynn Bates, Lucia Campriello.
Let us name before God those for whom we offer our prayers: Ella Baskett; Dorothea and Naa Aku Viens; 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 blessings and joy for all graduates and their families.
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"Pray as though everything depended on God.
Work as though everything depended on you."
--Saint Augustine
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Lessons for June 13, The Third Sunday After Pentecost |
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Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in your steadfast faith and love, that through your grace we may proclaim your truth with boldness, and minister your justice with compassion; for the sake of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for 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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Introducing the Bishop's 2021 Appeal |
A letter from Bishop Shannon:
As we prepare for a post-COVID world, I am thinking a good deal about Pentecost. On that day, the scriptures tell us, the church was born in a swirl of violent wind and tongues of fire, and nothing has ever been the same.
Here in the Diocese of Vermont, we are experiencing our church’s rebirth after more than a year of traversing a deep valley of shadow and pain. Like the season of spring that enlivens God’s creation all around us, our congregations are burgeoning with new energy for creation care, for deep and sustained anti-racism work, and for stewardship that fosters the leadership of clergy and lay leaders in communities across our state. We are becoming a community of transformation.
I hope that you will support the new life that is all around us with a gift to our new Bishop’s Appeal, which provides us with an opportunity to support our ministry and mission across Vermont. You can designate your gift to our creation care ministry, our antiracism work, or our leadership development efforts, or you can allow us to use your donation where it is most needed.
Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, new ministry has begun to take root. Nearly 40 aspiring lay preachers enrolled in a course we are offering with Backstory Preacher. Thirty lay people were trained to lead worship, and more are on the way.
Our anti-racism initiative is also transforming our common life. Some 80 people participated in our book study on the Biblical Case for Slavery, the 1861 work by our founding bishop John Henry Hopkins. The Anti-racism Action--Dismantling Racism task force is meeting monthly to develop more ways that we can continue the journey toward Beloved Community together.
And at Rock Point and Mission Farm, as well as countless other places across the diocese, we are coming together to care for God’s creation and honor the legacy of Vermont’s Indigenous people, the traditional stewards of the lands and waters on which we live and worship. These places have been beloved in our past and are helping to lead our transformation into the future.
Peace and blessings,
The Rt. Reverend Shannon MacVean-Brown
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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, Archdeacon
Mark A. DeW. Howe, Canon Precentor and Director of Music
Jennifer C. Sumner, Office Administrator
Barbara F. Comeau, Financial Administrator
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