Staying Safe and Staying Connected
Good Morning Saint Stephen’s Church,
We continue our life of daily prayer. The Lord be with you!
Today’s Prayer
“No fixed rules can safely be laid down, because some people are more imaginative and others more logical in their ways of meditating and each should follow their attrait and not try to force themselves into a particular method. Prayer should never be regarded as a science or reduced to a system–that ruins it, because it is essentially a living and personal relationship, which tends to become more personal and also more simple, as one goes on.”
– Evelyn Underhill
Evelyn Underhill is recognized by the Episcopal Church with a feast day today, June 15th. Underhill was a twentieth century English writer of numerous books (some of the most prominent being Practical Mysticism and Worship), lecturer, and retreat leader with a focus on mysticism. She was one of the first women to give regular lectures on theology in an English university setting, as well as the first woman to be given the role of lecturing Anglican clergy. Underhill spent many years considering converting to Catholicism, but ultimately remained a member of the Church of England.
From Our Prayers of the People
For the special needs and concerns of our congregation.
We remember people throughout the world: in places of war and strife, especially refugees and all victims of violence and oppression.
For comfort and healing for all who are affected by the Coronavirus around the world: for physicians, nurses, and all others who minister to the sick and the suffering, and for those administering the vaccination, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.
For all essential workers: for police, firefighters, EMTs, postal workers, sanitation workers, grocery personnel, delivery and transport workers, and all who must report to work because what they do is essential for our well-being, health, and safety.
For all historical acts of injustice and oppression: especially those perpetrated against native, Black, Hispanic and various Asian Americans in this abundant land, that we may recognize racism in ourselves, in our church, in our society, and the times we have failed to take action.
For a reverence for the earth as God’s own creation: that we may use its resources rightly in the service of others and to God’s honor and glory, and for wisdom, guidance, and persistence as we face the challenges of climate change and work for the flourishing and health of all the earth.
For those on the Parish Prayer Chain: Robin, Jackie, Waid, Dan, Hugh, Debby, Irene, Jeanne, Theresa, Josh, Amy, Greg, Craig, Donald, Gerald, Molly, Kenny, Sonny, Don .
For those who are homebound: Joan, Janet and Marilyn.
For our Government Leaders: Joseph Biden, President of the United States; Andrew Cuomo, Governor of New York State; Gary McCarthy, Mayor of Schenectady.
For our Church Leaders: Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop; James and Dennie, our priests; Pat, our deacon emeritus and Allison, our Lay Reader.
For those who are imprisoned: those particularly vulnerable at this time, especially the women in the Schenectady County Jail.
For Members who request our prayers for strength and healing: Eunice, Vincent, Priscilla, Ruth, Cindi, Mary Frances, Debbie, Joe.
For Scott and Diane – today is their wedding anniversary!
For all the blessings of this life.
For our dioceses in the Anglican Communion: The Diocese of Chelmsford – The Church of England (Canterbury Province).
For all who have died: Hiola, Charles, Ruth.
For one another.
Something to share
Apocalypse
“I saw,” said John the Seer,
“New heaven and new earth.” But I, each day,
Behold thy new creation that draws near
On every budding spray.
Yea, down the stream of time the thundering hoofs I hear,
Of horses shining white and strangely grey,
That bear upon their way
The king of death and life, the true and faithful kings.
“I saw,” said John the Seer,
“The Mother of all life, her travailings.”
But I have seen the birth of many a year,
And lovely childish things
Snatched back to God, because they are so dear
No haven can avail, save his enshrouding wings.
I’ve known the sudden palms of many springs
Pass, like a fleeting sacrament of grace.
“I saw,” said John the Seer,
“The Ever-living One, his awful face.”
I in deep pools and clear
Have plunged my look, to trace
Faint and austere
In some uncharted place
Secure from flitting time, released from narrow space,
The First and Last, the Beauty new and old.
“I saw,” said John the Seer,
“The dreadful judgments of his wrath unfold.”
I am not thus. I know not how to fear
That love which drew the crocus from the mould :
Nor, whilst the skylark’s song is in mine ear,
Can hear a sterner voice than that which told
His vengeful hosts their fury to withhold
From green things, grass, and trees,
Lest hurt should fall on these;
And said, that when his heaven indeed was come,
With men his tent should be, with men his wandering home,
And God should heal their griefs, and wipe away each tear.
– Evelyn Underhill
News and Updates
SiCM SUMMER LUNCH PROGRAM – Volunteers Needed! SiCM needs 5-8 volunteers each day to pack the meals in the mornings throughout the summer, Monday to Friday, 8-11 am. If you are interested in helping there – one time, once a week, for one whole week, or whatever fits your schedule – contact the Summer Lunch Coordinator at SiCM: Camila Grande, camilag@sicm.us or 518-346-4445. Respond by June 25.
St. Stephen’s will be a summer lunch site July 6 through September 3. St. Stephen’s members will staff the site the weeks of July 6, July 12 and August 2. Thank you to those who have volunteered to help. If you would like to be a substitute for any of those days, let Richey Woodzell know by June 25.
Reminders
If you have an update/news, a prayer or poem or something inspirational you would like us to share with the congregation, please send it to us. Please also send us any prayer requests. We will incorporate these into the Morning Prayers as best we can: james.ross.mcd@gmail.com.
Prayerbook Morning Prayer in Zoom – each weekday & Saturday morning. Join us for an inter-active service of Morning Prayer at 9 am. Time to bring your prayer concerns will be provided. (contact Becky for the link: becky.holder@gmail.com).
If you need a prayerbook, and are not in a position to purchase one, please contact me: james.ross.mcd@gmail.com. I will make sure you have your own Book of Common Prayer.
Our church campus is only partially open during the waning of the pandemic. Please see our website for further information: https://st-stephens.church/. Most parish meetings and gatherings are canceled or postponed until at least this fall.
Our office email is: office@st-stephens.church.
We continue to comply with all of these: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html ; the NY Department of Public Health https://www.health.ny.gov/ ; and the Diocese of Albany https://albanyepiscopaldiocese.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/cleaning_guidance_houses_of_worship.pdf.
Be careful what you read online. There are reports of false information circulating in an attempt to create fear and confusion. It is critical to discern what and how something is said, as well as what is not said. And, God forbid, always remember – any online or texted-based solicitation from me for money is A SCAM. Do not reply to such messages. Delete them.
Our goal is for all of us to stay in touch and connected during the waning of the pandemic.
Share this news, and spread some love, not the virus!
Irish Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be at your back,
May the sun shine upon your face,
the rains fall soft upon soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of God’s hand.
Be of good courage. We are in this together, and we will be together again soon. God bless you and may God be with us in the days ahead.