As I prepare the service for our Celtic Evensong each week, I look through hundreds of quotes and poems for inclusion as our opening and closing meditations. I have a few websites I use, and a few familiar poets and writers that I rely on. Lately, I have been engaged by Black poets expressing their experience of life and the sacred. Many I had studied in school or come upon on my own, but there were many I was so blessed to discover in the last few weeks.
I would like to spend some time with those of you who would be interested in studying some of this poetry. I have chosen 10 poets (5 women and 5 men) whose works I'd like to explore. Please check your E-News in the next few weeks for more information about this study.
In the Way of Love,
Debbie
Here is a poem by James Weldon JOhnson called "Prayer at Sunrise."
This Sunday, Jesus commands us to love one another as he has loved us.
At 10:00 am, the Morning Prayer service will be livestreamed from our homes. Assisting in the service are Luke Tanguay and Andrew Bishop. The Reverend E. Cliff Cutler is our preacher. Please join us on Zoom or Facebook.
At 4:00 pm, the Celtic Evensong will will livestreamed from the church. Emily Motherwell will offer the reflection. Please join us on Facebook for this service.
Please join us wherever you are
in your search for meaning.
Everyone is welcome at any and all services at
Grace Episcopal Church
Parish Prayer List
Please keep the following in your prayers:
Barbara and Loretta who are recovering from surgery.
Kristin Gourley, on her cancer diagnosis, that she made find healing and find the inner peace she seeks.
Linda Whalen, Deb Guilford, Kim Colvin, Sarah Colvin Duffy, Michael Towey, Christine Reichert, Nancy Brown,
Bob Peterson, Brian Peterson, Robert Squillaro, Jenny, Loretta and Kris, Deb Papps, Derek Fuller and Family, Kathy Southern, Becky, and the Salem Public Schools.
For an end to racism, gun violence and oppression.
Thanksgiving for Jon Papps and Helen Watson-Felt, in whose memory the flowers at the Easter Altar are given.
If you have prayer requests, please email regathering@gracechurchsalem.org by Tuesday at noon for publication in that week's e-news.
Anti-Racism News
Our antiracism team is meeting this Thursday and we will have an update on the Cottage Meetings and other events planned for the next few weeks.
Virtual cottage meetings will resume in the middle of May. Look for information soon on how to sign up. Each person on the committee will facilitate as we dig deeper into our own experiences living in a culture and country steeped in white supremacy. We earnestly hope that every member will do their best to attend one of these cottage meetings. We truly feel they are a place to hone our listening skills as well as our chance to share our experiences openly and honestly.
We also decided to do something for Juneteenth this year. A few ideas were shared and we hope to share more information with you soon. Here is an article about Juneteenth: Juneteeth.
Plant Sale and Workshop on May 22
This year's plant sale will have two components: A plant walk, much like our cookie walk, and a wonderful workshop by Brian Fizer that teaches us how to put together and care for a container garden filled with native plants. The workshops will be offered at 9:30 and 11 and you can purchase your ticket through ticketleap here: https://grace-church.ticketleap.com/beginning this weekend.
We are still looking for donations of all kinds of plants and monies. Please contact fundraising@gracechurchsalem.org if you wish to help.
