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Saint Stephen's Church
in Providence
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News and events for the week |
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The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
1 August 20210
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The Israelites Collecting Manna from Heaven, Rudolf von Ems (c. 1200 - 1254), The J. Paul Getty Museum.
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Readings for this Sunday
Click the readings above for links to the RSV
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Organ: Sinfonia from Wir danken dir, Gott, wir danken dir, BWV 29, J. S. Bach (1685 – 1750)
Mass setting: Missa Marialis, adapt. Charles Winfred Douglas (1867 – 1944)
Organ: Fugue in G, J. S. Bach
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Dear beloved in Christ,
One of the many frustrations since the COVID-19 Pandemic began in March 2020 is having to abandon plans or make changes in a very short time. Just as we were feeling a sense of "freedom" these past two or three months, we are now receiving warnings to be more vigilant again as the Delta variant makes its impact felt in parts of our country.
While we are not in an area of high transmission, there are still a rise in cases here in Rhode Island and in Providence County. At this point, we have no plans to alter our worship practices for this coming Sunday. Masks are still optional, and communion will be distributed at the rail in both kinds (for those who desire it).
Please know this is something we are taking seriously and monitoring closely, and that things may change between now and next week. We have received guidance from the Diocese that it is safe to continue our communion practices and mask policies as they currently stand.
Thank you for all your flexibility and your willingness to understand that we are having to make choices "in real time" frequently as circumstances change rapidly around our country. I do give thanks that the high rate of vaccinations in our region have led to fewer cases of infection and hospitalization, and that the current surge in those requesting vaccines may mean this current wave may be short-lived and the last that we experience.
I will see you Sunday, and look forward to proclaiming Jesus who is the Bread of Life, the Living Bread sent from Heaven to give Life to the World. May we be given this Bread always.
Faithfully,
Fr. Benjamin +
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Update: Communion Distribution |
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Beginning this Sunday August 1st, Communion will once again be distributed at the communion rail up in the chancel. The Chalice containing the Precious Blood will also be available to those who desire it. We have had permission to resume Communion in two kinds (the bread and the wine) for some time now, but have been understandably cautious. This is all made possible because of our rate of vaccination, and the underlying assumption that those present are vaccinated. Of course, communion will still be brought to those unable to come up to the altar rail, as is our practice.
Two important things to note:
1) You do not need to feel compelled to receive from the chalice if you are not comfortable doing so. Communion in one kind is fully valid, and imparts the fullness of the sacrament and the fullness of Christ's presence. If you do not wish to receive the chalice, simply cross your arms when it comes to you, or return to your seat in the Nave once you have consumed the Bread.
2) If you are eligible for the vaccine and have not received it, I strongly urge you to do so. We are seeing an increase in COVID cases even in Rhode Island after weeks of consistently downward trends. Because of the way COVID and the vaccine have become politicized in the media, I have shied away from saying too much either here or from the pulpit. I cannot be any more blunt about the fact that our return to common worship life as we knew it before the pandemic has been made possible by the vaccines made available to us.
Fr. Benjamin
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Livestream this week - 8:00 only |
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For this Sunday, we will livestream the 8:00 Morning Prayer and Low Mass from the Lady Chapel and not the 10:00 Sung Mass. Thank you for your understanding during these summer weeks when folks are traveling and enjoying a time of vacation and restoration. |
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It's become clear that there is an issue with our office landlines at S. Stephen's over the past month. We are working with Cox Communications to resolve the issue. If you have left a voice message with the Office or with Fr. Benjamin and not heard back, we sincerely apologize. We hope to arrive at a solution within the next few days, and would encourage you to follow up with us by email. We regret any inconvenience incurred. |
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On September 29th, the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels, the Rt. Rev. Nicholas Knisely, Bishop of Rhode Island, will install Fr. Benjamin as the 19th Rector of S. Stephen's Church. The liturgy will begin at 6:00 PM, with reception to follow in the Great Hall. |
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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. Jonathan Hyuck, Fr. Jay C. James, Conrad Johnson, Jane Malone, Ann Brooke Mason, Beverly Myers, Rhoda Steinhart, and Christopher Whittingham.
The faithful departed: Year's mind: Catherine Gladys Washburn (8/1), Theresa Jarvis (8/4), Irene Dechesneau Butler (8/4), Lorraine C. Slaney (8/6).
In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to prayer for: 8/1, Church of the Province of South East Asia; 8/2, The Diocese of Dogura – The Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea; 8/3, The Diocese of Doko – The Church of Nigeria; 8/4, The Diocese of Dominican Republic; 8/5, The Diocese of Dornakal – the United Church of South India; 8/6, The Diocese of Down & Dromore – The Church of Ireland, 8/7, The Diocese of Dublin & Glendalough – The Church of Ireland.
In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for the Church of the Transfiguration, Cranston; Christ Church, Lincoln; and Christ Church, Westerly.
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This Week at S. Stephen's |
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EVENTS THIS WEEK
Saturday 7 August
Epiphany Soup Kitchen (Meal Pickup Only) 2:30-4 pm
LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE
Sunday 1 August
TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am
Sung Mass 10:00 am
Daily Office and Mass Lectionary
Tuesday 3 August
FINDING OF THE RELICS OF SAINT STEPHEN, 415
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Thursday 5 August
Jean-Bapitste Vianney, Curé d’Ars, Spiritual Guide, 1859
Noonday Prayer 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm
Saturday 7 August
John Mason Neale, Priest, Scholar, Hymn Writer, 1866
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10 am
Next Sunday 8 August
ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am
Sung Mass 10:00 am
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