The Week of April 24, 2022 |
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Join us this Sunday at 10:15AM in person or online
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Dear friends in Christ,
The Sunday after Easter each year is known traditionally in many Episcopal parishes as “Low Sunday.” Some say "low" may be a corruption of the Latin word laudes, the first word of a hymn used in the pre-Reformation English church, but most people take it as a reference to the relatively sparse attendance at divine service, at least when compared with Easter Day. Whatever the etymology, every year on the Sunday after Easter, Christians around the world hear the story of St. Thomas, who asks to touch the body of the risen Christ. “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe,” he says to the other disciples, who have already seen the Lord.
It is customary for preachers on this day to contrast the faith of the other ten disciples with the apparent faithlessness of “doubting” Thomas. But I think that misses the point of the story.
We heard on Easter Day, in St. John’s gospel, Jesus say to Mary Magdalene, “Do not hold on to me,” which tells us that Jesus’ body was the sort of body that had sufficient reality to be touched, to be grasped, to be held on to. So Thomas is asking to do what Mary Magdalene herself clearly wished to do, what she could have done, and I think we can understand that. When a loved one returns from a long trip, or a dangerous encounter, we reach out to that person. Of course Mary and Thomas wished to do the same, each in his or her own way. The man had been handed over to death, after all, and now here he was!
For us, living 2,000 years after the events described by St. John, the question is what to do with this knowledge. What does it mean that Jesus was raised from the dead, really, bodily, physically raised? What does that tell us about our lot?
I think it is enormously comforting to know not only that Jesus walked among us, healed the sick, and broke bread with the less lovely elements of his society. It is also a great comfort that, as St. Paul wrote, “in [Jesus] all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell” (Colossians 1:19). In Christ, God crossed the only boundary that really matters, which is the boundary separating God from us, the boundary which otherwise keeps humans trapped in the deadly cycle of pride and anger and death, a cycle that is on display all around the world and even in our own hearts. Christ’s work on the cross is to tear down that wall between God and humanity, and through the Holy Spirit to give new life.
That’s what happened in the Upper Room all those millennia ago. And that’s what happens still, even if they cannot touch our Lord’s body, to all those who reach out to Christ in faith.
A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"
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Yours faithfully in Christ, |
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Parish Donation in Honor of Julie Murphy |
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Memorial for Julie Murphy |
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In honor of longtime parishioner Julie Murphy, St. John’s is collecting donations to make a memorial contribution to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, which provides support, services and education and funds research for better treatment and a cure. If you would like to contribute toward the memorial, please either send a check to the parish office with “Julie Murphy Memorial” in the memo line, or visit https://www.stjohns-stamford.org/give/ and select “Julie Murphy Memorial” as the “Give to:” option. We hope that you will join in this memorial to our beloved sister in Christ in this parish.
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St. John’s Community Foundation Grantee Highlight:
Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens
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For over 50 years, the Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens has provided sanctuary to the greater Stamford community. As caretakers of this 93-acre living museum, the Bartlett Arboretum strives to connect with Stamford's diverse community to foster a sense of belonging and ownership. In 2022, with the support of the St. John’s Community Foundation, the Bartlett is embarking on a professional landscape training program for immigrants and aspiring landscape professionals from low-income households. This program will not only help the Bartlett continue to build a welcoming and inclusive community that reflects the diversity of Stamford, but promote conservation and principles of sustainable landscape management to a new generation of professionals. |
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Prayers and Financial Support for Ukraine |
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The crisis in Ukraine continues, and our prayers are with not only those on the front lines and in the peace talks, but also if not especially with the millions who have been displaced. Working through the Action by Churches Together Alliance, Episcopal Relief & Development will provide cash, blankets, hygiene supplies, and other needed assistance to Ukrainian refugees. If you feel moved to contribute to these humanitarian relief efforts, please do give via ERD’s website: https://support.episcopalrelief.org/ukraineresponse.
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The “Paint and Sip for Haiti” event, which was originally scheduled for April 28, has been postponed.
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Tuesday Afternoon Bible Study |
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Open Thursdays and Saturdays: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
The Community Thrift Shop welcomes new, almost new, and gently used clothing, home goods, and jewelry donations. All proceeds from the Thrift Shop are donated to nonprofit charities serving those in need.
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Recent Prayer Requests for Healing of Body, Mind and Spirit. |
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Please keep these persons in your daily prayers:
Ben, Carol, Daniel, Ed, Kedley, Lloyd, Marc, Terrence, Jon, Ann, Henri, Sharon, Erin, Dante, Anthony, Marie-Anne, Martha, Nessa, Angela, Gweneth, Toni, Jordan, Gabriella, Cindi, Barbara, Andrew, Jeffrey, Theadeen, Latoya, Christine, Murdena, Aidee, Anthony, Mitch, Jacob, Roslyn, Collin, McKenna, Andy, Errol, Emman and Bill. Please send all prayer list requests for the bulletin to the Parish Administrator, Kathy McBride, at kmcbride@stjohns-stamford.org.
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To give to St. John's Episcopal Church, you can make your donations electronically or you can simply mail in your check to the church office if you would rather not use the online giving tool. Our Parish Administrator, Kathy McBride, is receiving the mail and doing the banking as usual.
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Forward Day By Day is the Episcopal Church's own discipleship publication! As disciples, followers of Christ, daily prayer and reflection grounds us in God's love and gives us strength and clarity to confront our weaknesses, put our trust in God and listen to where God is calling us to serve. Available online for-free!
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