Listen to the sermon preached by the Ven. Denise LaVetty, archdeacon and director of deacon formation and transition for the Episcopal Diocese of New York and associate deacon for Ecclesia Ministries, on the Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany, February 23, 2025. The scriptures for this service: Genesis 45:3-11, 15; Psalm 37:1-12, 41-42; 1 Corinthians 15:35-38,42-50; Luke 6:27-38.
Our rector challenges us this week with Jesus’ radical call to love our enemies — a teaching that feels more urgent in a world where harm and injustice persist. Mercy, the heart of the gospel, is not passive; it is an active, courageous practice of breaking cycles of hate and violence with love, prayer, and justice. She suggests we are called to extend compassion to those who suffer and even to those who do harm, trusting in God’s boundless grace.
This commitment to mercy takes shape in action, and this Sunday, we welcome Archdeacon Denise LaVetty as our guest preacher and forum leader. She will introduce us to Ecclesia Ministry, a congregation of unhoused people worshiping at St. Mark’s Church in the Bowery. Our parish is invited to participate by joining in worship and providing food on the fourth Sunday of each month. Come learn how we can share God’s mercy through service and solidarity.
Listen to the sermon preached by the Rev. Ed Chinery on the Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany, February 16, 2025. The scriptures for this service: Jeremiah 17:5-10; Psalm 1; 1 Corinthians 15:12-20; Luke 6:17-26.
In this week’s newsletter, our rector reflects on a recent visit to the Whitney Museum’s Edges of Ailey exhibit, a vivid tribute to the life and work of Alvin Ailey. The experience sparked deep gratitude for the beauty of Black culture, as well as concern for the future of Black History Month amid efforts to curtail diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. The rector reminds us that honoring our shared, diverse heritage is both a spiritual and societal imperative — one that calls us to celebrate the richness of all God’s people with courage, inspiration, and joy.
Listen to the sermon preached by the Rev. Liz Maxwell on the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany, February 9, 2025. The scriptures for this service: Isaiah 6:1-13; Psalm 138; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11.
The rector writes: “I spent part of this morning at a press conference called by the New York Immigration Coalition at our neighbor parish, St. Mark’s in the Bowery. It was specifically to protest the executive order that ends the ‘sensitive site’ designation that protects houses of worship, schools and hospitals from targeting and raids by ICE. I went because I feel strongly that our church and food pantry must be open to all God’s beloved people, regardless of immigration status. Our faith calls us to welcome the stranger, care for those who come to us in need, do justice and love mercy. It does not stop at national borders.” In this week’s newsletter, learn more about what Mother Liz learned and about the fear that’s been tearing through the immigrant community and the teachers, medical professionals and others trying to serve them and their families.
Listen to the sermon preached by the Rev. Ed Chinery on the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord, February 2, 2025.
In this week’s newsletter, Mother Liz shares a poem by Denise Levertov and has a series of questions for each of us to consider as we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord, colloquially known as “Candlemas.”
Listen to the sermon preached by the Rev. Liz Maxwell on the Third Sunday after the Epiphany and the day of the 198th annual meeting of the parish, January 26, 2025.
This week, the rector reflects on the sermon preached Tuesday by the Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde at Washington National Cathedral — and the reaction to it. In light of many markers and milestones for our parish and the nation, Mother Liz asks: “What and whom do we love? What strengthens our love for God and God’s people? May our life together and our care for each other help us grow deeper into that holy love.” Among those markers: the annual meeting of the parish takes place this Sunday following the 11 am service.