This week: Father Ed examines the seeming vulnerability of God as expressed in Sunday’s scripture lessons. Also: news about September’s Welcome Back Sundays (plural); the memorial service for a longtime parishioner; and the upcoming ordination to the priesthood of the Rev. Deacon Stacey Carpenter.
This week: Mother Posey reflects on the echoes between this week’s Jeremiah lesson, last week’s Feast of St. Mary the Virgin, and the book The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation, by Anna Malaika Tubbs. Also: the upcoming schedule of September’s notable “Welcome Back Month” dates, and important service and stewardship opportunities that need your consideration, please!
This week, Father Ed’s reflections on Jesus’ words in Luke 12:49-56: “I came to bring fire to the earth. Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!” Also this week: the Racial Justice Discussion Group meets this week to discuss The Three Mothers, by Anna Malaika Tubbs; and our Diocese’s Bishop Search Committee request your prayers.
This week: Mother Posey reflects on Hebrews 11:1: “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Also: We welcome Father Ed back from well-earned time off as we wish the rector a relaxing August vacation.
A message from the rector about the Lambeth Conference of global Anglican bishops (including our own), currently underway in Canterbury, England.
This week: reflections from the rector on the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene, and examples of artwork illustrating the Gospel stories featuring Mary of Magdala by the artist Laura James.
When I look at the heavens, the work of your fingers
the moon and the stars that you have established,
what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
mortals that you care for them?
When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
From Mother Posey: “The Psalmist this week speaks so eloquently to where we are now. One of the best things about the Psalms is that they offer us both a place to take our anger, frustration, rage, impatience, and sorrow, and also a place to find comfort and solace. God is always present, even when we struggle to hear her voice.” Also: starting this week and continuing through September 4, our Sunday morning service is at 10 am. The Sunday evening service of Meditation & Sacrament will continue at 6 pm.
This week, Ascension its hosts its water table out on Fifth Avenue for the marchers (and more than a few spectators) of the annual New York City PRIDE March. And starting next week, Sunday, July 3, through Sunday, September 4, Ascension will have only one Sunday morning service which will be at 10 am in the church. We will not move into the parish hall this year. This is so we can still include those who worship with us via livestream and be at least a little cooler in the hot months. We also look forward to the opportunity to bring folks who worship at 11 together with those who normally attend the 9 am, as well as continuing our outdoor coffee hours in our summer garden.