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
Great is, O King, our happiness
in your kingdom, you, our King.
We dance before you, our King,
By the strength of your kingdom.
May our feet be made strong;
Let us dance before you, eternal.
Give praise, all angels,
To him above who is worthy of praise.
– A prayer in a sacred dance of the Zulu Nazareth (Nazarite) Church
Isaiah Shembe founded the Zulu Nazareth Church following the Bambatha Rebellion of 1906. This Zulu uprising was the largest ever by a Black group in South Africa and is considered one of the greatest moments in Zulu nationalism. It came twenty years after the defeat of the Zulu by the British in the Anglo-Zulu War during a time of political struggle between the British and Boers for political control.
This new branch of Christianity, which Shembe founded, was a reflection of the times in 1910. The church adopted Christian teachings but placed them within a Zulu context. Members wore traditional skins to worship services, listened to sermons in isiZulu, and worshiped their ancestors. Zulus were attracted to the church because as an organization it did not demonize their culture.
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 our armed forces around the world in harm’s way: We pray for the 13 U.S. soldiers who were killed near the Kabul airport in their aid to help Americans and Afghans trying to leave the country. May God be with their families in their sacrifice and may their deaths not be in vain.
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 as we continue to deal with the Coronavirus variants.
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 recognize 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: Katie, Mike, June, Kenny, Danny, Charlotte, Diana, Caleb, June, Ruth, David, Kathy Nick, Roberta, Beth, Walker, Warren, Steven, Susan, Ann, John, Stephen, Don, Ruth.
For those who are homebound: Joan, Janet and Marilyn.
For our Government Leaders: Joseph Biden, President of the United States; Kathy Hochul, 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, Mary Frances, Debbie, Joe.
For James – today is his baptismal anniversary!
For all the blessings of this life.
For our dioceses in the Anglican Communion: The Diocese of Ekiti West – The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) (Ondo Province).
For all who have died: Robert, Norman, and William.
Something to share
Africa Has A Soul
From the mouth of asmara
To the ears of praia
I see a soul
From the desert of tunis
To the flats earth of cape town
I see a soul clinging to the skin of africa
From the tombs of cairo
To the ports of abuja
I feel a soul
From the grains of rabat
To the giant isle of antanarivo
I feel a soul clutched to the skin of africa
From the stem of kilmanjaro
To the gentle rains of victoria falls
I hear a soul
From the shores of tripoli
To the jungles of congo
I hear a soul whaling in skin of africa
From the dusk of bamako
To the sweats of bujumbura
I smell a soul
From the huts of khartoum
To the hives of mogadishu
I smell a soul yelling in the skins of africa
From the ocean waves of freetown
To the birds chimes of nairobi
I touch a soul
From the thunder grumbling of monrovia
To the bloody smiles of kigali
I touch a soul rooting from the skins of africa
Africa has a soul
Africa my country, has a soul
bloody, smiling, crying soul
– kemurl fofanah
News and Updates
Free for the Taking:
Millie Gittinger is offering two window air conditioning units:
One is a GE 18 1/2″ wide X 13 3/4″ high
One is a Frigidaire Gallery 19″ wide X12″ high.
The September Messenger:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ig1zZUqozXWWNx_DFLu1DfiFvFNRx1ia/view?usp=sharing
Episcopal Relief & Development Hurricane Relief Fund:
Prayers for Haiti and Afghanistan: https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/pressreleases/
SiCM Food Pantry: Thank you all for the generous response during the months of July and August for personal care items for the SiCM Food Pantry. In September and October we will be collecting seasonings and spices as well as cleaning supplies for the pantry. Suggested items are:
Seasonings/spices: paprika, cinnamon, cumin, chili powder, red pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, ginger
Cleaning supplies: dishwashing detergent, laundry detergent, fabric softener, sponges, disinfectant (spray, wipes, etc.)
There will be a box in the nave extension for your donation. As always, your help is greatly appreciated.
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 Daily 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).
Our church campus is only partially open during the waning of the pandemic. Please see our website for further information: https://st-stephens.church/. Hopefully, most parish meetings and gatherings will resume this fall.
Our office email is: office@st-stephens.church.
Home Communions: If you or someone you know is unable to attend church on either a long or short‑term basis, please contact me (james.ross.mcd@gmail.com ) if you would like to have communion brought to you. We will make visits on Sunday after our regular Eucharist at 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/ ; the Schenectady County Health Department: https://www.schenectadycounty.com/COVID19; 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.
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.