Saint Stephen’s Daily Prayers, Wednesday, June 22, 2022

Staying Safe and Staying Connected

Good Morning, Saint Stephen’s Church,

Today’s Prayer

Give us grace, O God, to dare to do the deed which we well know

cries to be done. Let us not hesitate because of ease, or the

words of men’s mouths, or our own lives. Mighty causes are

calling us—the freeing of women, the training of children, the

putting down of hate and murder and poverty—all these and

more. But they call with voices that mean work and sacrifices

and death. Mercifully grant us, O God, the spirit of Esther, that

we say: I will go unto the King and if I perish, I perish.

     –  W.E.B. Du Bois, 1963

W.E.B. Du Bois, born in 1868, was an advocate for other black Americans in a variety of ways throughout his life. In 1903, he published the book The Souls of Black Folk, an influential text that introduced the idea of “double consciousness,” a concept that says African Americans are always contending with viewing themselves through the lens of the surrounding racist society. He was a leader in the Niagara Movement, a civil rights organization. Soon after, he helped found the NAACP and served as the editor of the organization’s monthly journal. Over the course of his life, he fought against lynching, Jim Crow laws, and many other forms of discrimination. Later in life, W.E.B. Du Bois moved to Ghana, where he died in 1963. Though he wrote this prayer (and a whole collection of prayers for students at Atlanta University, Prayers for Dark People), Du Bois did not identify with any particular church or creed as an adult. 

From Our Prayers of the People 

For the special needs and concerns of our congregation. 

For people throughout the world: in places of war and strife, and for all victims of violence and oppression.  

For the Presidents of Russia and Ukraine, that wisdom and courage may prevail in the cause of peace.

For the people of Ukraine, the people of Russia, and for all who affected by violence and war.

For those who have taken up arms, whether aggressively or defensively, that a spirit of peace may reign in their hearts and in their lands.

For our allies around the world in harm’s way: for those who are still trying to leave Afghanistan and the Ukraine; may God be with them and their families.

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 vaccinations, may God grant them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience, and may God keep them healthy and safe.  

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: Oonie, Walker, Gerald, Dan, Mary, Bill, Diana, Jackie, Susan, Adrian, Hugh, Craig, Marilyn, Sylvia, Laura, Angelina 

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; Michael G. Smith and Carol Gallagher, Assisting Bishops; 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: Mary Ann, David, Marilyn, Eunice, Ruth, Mary Frances, Vincent, Priscilla, Joe, and all their families.   

For Linda and Belachew & Marti and Austin – today is their wedding anniversary!

For all the blessings of this life.

For our dioceses in the Anglican Communion:  The Diocese of Makurdi – The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) (Abuja Province).

For all who have died:  Paul Tanner, Lila Wood, Hugh Campbell, Jr., Tom Chouffi, Louis Hibbs, and Michael Cotton.

For one another

Something to share

Not Like a Dove

Come Holy Spirit, come

like a red eft creeping out

from under wet leaves

crossing the traveled highway

at night after rain.

Come like the brown anole comes north

unexpected in bananas or limes;

like a gecko hunting roaches on a wall.

Come like Chameleon;

like Iguana still as deep green death

flittering a cloven tongue.

Come like Komodo parting the ways

with your stinking breath. Come

clear the carrion from the isle.

Come Holy Spirit

come like the Dragon remembered of old

rattling and clanking on golden wings.

Seize our treasures for your glittering hoard.

Burn away all that will burn.

     –    Mary F. C. Pratt

News and Updates  

New Ushers Needed – We are looking for new ushers to help us on Sunday mornings.  If you are interested please see Vicki Hoshko or Allison de Kanel for more information. 

SiCM Summer Meals Update

St. Stephen’s will be doing the summer meals at Central Park June 29-July 1 and July 5-8.  

•  We will need at least 4 volunteers per day, and it would be good to have a list of substitutes. 

•  Time commitment:  12:45 (at the latest) to 2:30 

•  All volunteers must complete a training session and sign a volunteer training form.  A training video will be available on the SiCM website this week.  The form can be downloaded from the SiCM site; there will also be copies in the nave extension.  Get them back to Richey or bring when you come to Central Park.

•  Duties:  Greet truck and unload supplies, hand out meals, keep count, interact with /provide activities for kids, clean up site.

Thank you to those who have signed up!  We need some more volunteers for July 1, 5 and 6.  Please contact Richey Woodzell at erwoodzell@gmail.com or 518-852-6796 for any days you’re willing to volunteer or serve as a sub.

Coffee Hour – Volunteers are needed to sign up for coffee hour.  Please visit the homepage of our website to choose an available date from now through the end of summer. Thanks!

SiCM Pantry-  Thank you for your donations of cleaning supplies!  For June we are collecting spices and seasonings, which are not usually stocked by the pantry.  Please see a full list of spices needed in the nave extension, near where you put your contributions.

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 morning.  Join Dennie and me 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 office email is: office@st-stephens.church.

Our goal is for all of us to stay in touch and connected.

Irish Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you,

May the wind be at your back,

May the sun shine upon your face,

he rains fall soft upon soft upon your fields,

And until we meet again

May God hold you in the palm of his 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.

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