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Saint Stephen's Church
in Providence
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News and events for the week of Sunday, June 20 |
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The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
20 June 20210
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The Storm on the Sea of Galilee (1633), Rembrandt (1606 - 1669), current location unknown: stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston.
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Readings for this Sunday
Click the readings above for links to the RSV
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Organ: Deuxième Sonate, Re majeur, Op. 50, II. Larghetto, Alexandre Guilmant (1837 - 1911)
Mass: Missa Sancta Maria Magdelena, Healey Willan (1880 - 1968)
Organ: Deuxième Sonate, Re majeur, Op. 50, III. Allegro Vivace, Guilmant
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Dear Beloved in Christ,
I had initially intended to wait until July 1st to remove the final COVID precautions that have been in place since S. Stephen's first re-opened in July of 2020. However, following the guidance and example of our Bishop and diocesan leadership, and given the continued decline of COVID in our state and the increasing percentage of vaccinated persons, there is no reason to continue to require masks in our public worship or when sharing Christian fellowship after Mass.
I thank your Wardens and Vestry for all the work that went into carefully adapting and implementing the COVID protocols along diocesan and state guidelines last summer that allowed us to reopen. They worked, and they kept us safe.
Yet, as we rejoice at this milestone that never felt like it would arrive, we must still be mindful of the fact that we are a Christian community of people who care for one another, as Christ loved us. For some, this recent change may seem to come too quickly. Many still have good reasons to prefer to wear a face mask, and our very youngest parishioners still have not been vaccinated. The very last thing that we would want to happen as a result of lifting the mask requirement is to create division or make our worship a space where all did not feel equal. As the Church, we find our common identity Christ. St. Paul reminds us, "There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28)
Perhaps we might go on to add, "there is no longer masked or unmasked," despite whatever face coverings we may prefer to keep in place or choose to discard. All of us at S. Stephen's are one in Christ, and we must not make any assumptions or judgments about any persons's choice to continue to wear a mask versus going unmasked.
As I said, our COVID protocols are now largely gone, with the exception of one regarding the common cup. In time we will make the chalice available to the faithful again, and communion will once again be distributed at the altar rail. For the moment, we will continue our current practice of communion in one kind, distributed at the head of the center aisle. Please be patient as we continue to navigate this changing landscape together.
I'm sorry I've not taken up this space to reflect on the upcoming Sunday readings in recent weeks, but there has been much news to disseminate as we have adapted to the long awaited waning of this pandemic. But I promise that if you come to Mass on Sunday you will hear what I have to say about Jesus calming the storm on the sea. Perhaps I might even make it up the steps into the pulpit! In the words of our Lord, "Come and see..."
Faithfully,
Fr. Benjamin+
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Brownstone Restoration
Nearing Completion
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Brownstone restoration around the main entrance into the church will be completed next week. For this Sunday, please enter the church through the Guild House doors. Thank you for your patience and flexibility during this month-long project. |
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Zoom Coffee Hour this Sunday |
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We will have our final Zoom coffee hour for the Summer this Sunday. Apologies for not including the link in the e-news two weeks ago (for which the Rector gladly accepts full responsibility and blame!). We intend to begin an outdoor Lemonade on the Lawn after Mass in the coming weeks, and so we will have an opportunity for fellowship then which will make our Zoom gathering redundant.
For our final Zoom "virtual" coffee hour, please click here.
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New Weekday Mass Schedule |
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Please be reminded of the new "Summer Schedule" that went into effect last week. Until after Labor Day, September 6, the following weekday schedule is as follows:
Tuesday - Noonday Prayer and Mass
Thursday -- Noonday Prayer and Mass
Saturday -- 9:30 Morning Prayer, 10:00 Mass
- Holy Rosary on First Saturdays of the Month at 10:30
- Monthly Requiem Mass on Third Saturdays of the month
No liturgies will be celebrated or offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
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You can mail your pledge card or weekly/monthly offering to the church office, or pledge online here. Thank you for all the many ways in which you are already supporting S. Stephen’s.
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Prayers have been requested for: Charles Calverley, Sandra Calverley, Lola Campagna, Ruby Campagna, Fr. Norman Catir, Diana Clarke, Sarah Clarke, Ernie Drew, Fr. Harrington Gordon, Joan Gordon, Richard Hogarth, Fr. Jay C. James, Conrad Johnson, Jane Malone, Ann Brooke Mason, Beverly Myers, Rhoda Steinhart, Fr. Benjamin, and Christopher Whittingham.
Birthdays this week: Modu Johnson (6/20), Betsy Dake (6/23), Tyrone Gingrich (6/23), Julia Steiny (6/24), Louis Verdelotti (6/26).
The faithful departed: Recently Departed: Frank Pisaturo. Year's mind: Terry Wilkes (6/22), Anna Leocadia (6/22), Dorothy Van Slyck Eagles (6/23), Alfreida Louise Moore (6/24).
Anglican Cycle of Prayer: In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for The Church of North India (United.) In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for the campers, counselors, and staff of the Episcopal Conference Center.
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This Week at S. Stephen's |
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EVENTS THIS WEEK
Saturday 26 June
Epiphany Soup Kitchen (Meal Pickup Only) 2:30-4 pm
LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE
Sunday 20 June
FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am
Sung Mass 10:00 am
Zoom Virtual Coffee Hour 11:30
Daily Office and Mass Lectionary
Tuesday 22 June
Alban, First Martyr in Britain, c. 304
Paulinus, Bishop of Nola, 431
Thomas More, Scholar, and John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester, Martyrs 1535
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Thursday 24 June
THE NATIVITY OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Saturday 26 June
Feria
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10 am
Next Sunday 27 June
FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am
Sung Mass 10:00 am
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