The Good News of St. John’s

This Week at St. John’s

Special Prayer for Mothering

Mother’s Day carries with it much emotional content because, by their nature, our relationships with mothers and childbearing are deeply emotional human experiences. At St. John’s, we offer a special prayer every year while the larger American culture celebrates this holiday. Through this prayer, we do our best to honor the multi-faceted reality of motherhood, in all of our lives.

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Bible Study Survey

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The St. John’s Memorials Account

Did you know we have a Memorials Account? And what does that even mean?

For many years, St. John’s has had a way for people to make memorial or thanksgiving gifts into an account to be used for undesignated, special needs of the parish that come up, often related to our worship services. Examples are new altar linens, vestments, and our recent purchase of a new Gospel Book cover. George Mine has managed this account for many years, and Wes Dangler is on the committee.

In recent years, this account has been spent down and is now in need of replenishment. This came to light because we need to replace our green chasuble (seen in the images below), the one we use most, which is more than 25 years old. A new one, which will match our altar set, will cost about $750.

We invite you to help with this purchase by making a gift in memory or in honor of someone. You can speak to Lynn Dennison, George, Wes, or Rev. Michelle for more information. Thank you!

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Rogation Days

Dear Ones,

If you look in the calendar of the Book of Common Prayer, you may note that there is something called Rogation Days, which are optional days of commemoration “traditionally observed on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before Ascension Day.”

As with everything on the Christian calendar, these Rogation Days replaced a pagan Roman procession called Robigalia (this was an unfortunate tradition of walking in a procession, which the Romans loved to do, and then sacrificing a dog as a way of appeasing the god of agricultural disease in order to protect crops). I’d like to think that Rogation Days are an improvement on that particular ritual.

Warning: History Lesson ahead!
As Christianity settled into the British Isles, this tradition came with it. There, Rogations Days became a syncretistic mixture of Christian allegory, the pronouncement of God’s blessing on the crops, and the more practical practice of marking property boundaries. People paraded along the boundaries of the town’s crops carrying banners, one with a dragon representing Potius Pilate and one with a lion representing Christ while chanting Psalms over several days leading up to the celebration of the Day of Ascension (the celebration of Christ’s ascension that is held 39 days after Easter). Interestingly, this is where the word “gang” came from – the old English word “gan” which meant to go walking.

Over the centuries, the allegorical nature of this ritual waned and it became a more communal event that the priest was in charge of leading every year. And, as you might imagine, they also became rather raucous from time to time and from place to place, which was one of the issues the Puritans had with the Church of England.  Eventually, due to the Industrial Revolution, this tradition also included prayers for industry and commerce. And today, in the United States, this ritual is performed more as a nostalgic tradition than anything else because we have become so deeply separated from the land and the growing cycle of our food.

Here endeth the Lesson.

Every morning in the spring, I find that I cannot wait to get out into the garden and see what has happened overnight. I think this is quite something, given that I am not a morning person. I just like to walk the grounds, with coffee in hand, and take notice of the slight changes, figure out what needs to be watered or cared for, spend a bit of time pulling a weed or two, and visualize what’s coming next. It also gives me time to tune into myself and think about my family.

Today, as I was doing this, I realized that it’s like my own little Rogation procession: A practice of paying attention to the blessing of creation and all that I’ve been given to care for; of noticing what is needed for growth and offering what I can, knowing that I’m not going to do it all perfectly.

So, I wonder what your “Rogation procession” looks like. What are the regular rituals you participate in that allow you to notice what is needed? What do you do that enables you to tune in to a different frequency so that you can offer what is needed in support of the growth and nourishment of others?

This is, after all, what Ascension is about for us humans – the maturation of our own journey. We know that Jesus himself is no longer here, but his teachings remain and the presence of Christ will always be with us through our desire to tend to God’s creation – not in our image and for our own purposes, but in God’s image and for God’s purpose. It is to this we have always been called as Christians.

In God’s love and mine,
Rev. Michelle

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Announcements for May 14
The Sixth Sunday of Easter

This Week at St. John’s

All Ages Worship, Sunday at 10 am

All Ages Worship is designed to engage the minds and hearts of everyone. It’s the same worship we normally have but we use some different words that work well for younger ears and Rev. Michelle tells a story in place of a sermon. Come and join us for a loving and joyful feast. Our story this month will be about how God’s Love is connected to our own resilience.

Inquirer’s Class, Sunday 1:00-3:30 pm, St. John’s Rectory

We continue our two-part primer on reading scripture as a part of the Inquirer’s Class Series from 1:00-3:30 pm on May 7: How We Read Scripture in the Episcopal Church. We begin with the Hebrew Scriptures or as they are often called, the Old Testament. In the second session, we delve into the Greek Scriptures, or the New Testament. Why spend 2 sessions talking about scripture? To put it into perspective, we claim that Holy Scripture contains all things necessary for salvation. And “perspective” is one of the important things to discuss as we take a look at scripture. So, what lens are we using? Where did all these writings come from? What are some helpful resources/guides? We will discuss these questions and more, and also spend time reading scripture together.

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Bible Study Survey

The St. John’s Memorials Account

Did you know we have a Memorials Account? And what does that even mean? For many years St. John’s has had a way for people to make memorial or thanksgiving gifts into an account to be used for undesignated special needs of the parish, often related to our worship services. Examples are new altar linens, vestments, and our recent purchase of a new Gospel Book cover. George Mine has managed this account for many years, and Wes Dangler is on the committee.In recent years, this account has been spent down and is now in need of replenishment. This came to light because we need to replace our green chasuble, the one we use most which is more than 25 years old see below). A new one, which will match our altar set, will cost about $750.

We invite you to help with this purchase by making a gift in memory or in honor of someone. You can speak to me, George, Wes, or Rev. Michelle for more information. Thanks! Lynn Dennison

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Announcements for May 7
The Fifth Sunday of Easter

St. John’s Office Hours
Mondays from 12:00-4:00 pm and Wednesdays from 10:00-12:00 noon
Phone: 845-331-2252    Email: stjohnskingston@aol.com

Join the thousands of Episcopalians who are committing themselves and their households to sustainable living. Go to: sustainislandhome.org

THIS SUNDAY! Inquirer’s Class meets from 1:00-3:30 in the St. John’s Rectory. We continue our discussion, “How We Read Scripture in the Episcopal Church.” All are welcome!

Page Turners Book Club Meetings are on the first Thursday of the month at 2 p.m., in the parish hall. Here’s what we selected for next month: May 4 – If on A Winter’s Night A Traveler by Italo Calvino. All are welcome! Interested? Talk with Lynn Dennison.

St. John’s Outreach Project – People’s Place: When you go to the store, pick up a few extra non-perishable food items for People’s Place food pantry (tuna, soup, pasta, sauce, etc.). We are also taking donations of birthday napkins/plates, candles, and gift bags in various sizes. Bring them to church and place them in the appropriate baskets near the font.

Interested in Baptism? In the Episcopal Church, we offer the Sacrament of Baptism on the Feast of Pentecost (this year, on May 28). If you are interested in Baptism or interested in having your child baptized, talk to Rev. Michelle as soon as possible to set up a time to talk more about it. The next time set aside for Baptism will be All Saints Sunday on November 5.

Have an announcement for the bulletin?
Please send by Wednesday at noon to stjohnskingston@aol.com.

St. John’s Upcoming Schedule

May 20:     Consecration of Matthew Heyd as Bishop Coadjutor of the Diocese of New York, Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in NYC.
May 21:     Godly Play for kids, Healing Sunday and Inquirer’s Class – What We Do: Ministry and the Baptismal Covenant, from 1:00-3:30 pm in the Rectory.
May 28:     Feast of Pentecost and Renewal of Baptismal Vows
June 4:       All Ages Worship – The Creation Story
June 11:     Guest Preacher – The Rev. Richard Witt of Rural and Migrant Ministries and Special Forum after worship about Rural and Migrant Ministries
June 18:     Godly Play for kids, Healing Sunday and Pastoral Care meeting after worship
June 25:     Rector’s Forum: Celtic Christianity, after worship
July 2:        Summer Worship begins in the Parish Hall

Coming Up at St. John’s

THIS WEEK: April 30
April Rector’s Forum: Life at the Time of Jesus

Context is everything! Join Rev. Michelle after worship to learn more about this time and explore questions like: What was life like in Galilee? Who had power and who didn’t? How was Judaism practiced when Jesus was alive? What did people believe about resurrection?

NEXT WEEK: May 7

All Ages Worship

All Ages Worship is held every first Sunday of the month and is designed to engage minds and hearts of all ages. Our story for May will be about how God’s Love is connected to our own resilience. 

Inquirer’s Class from 1:00-3:30 pm in the St. John’s Rectory

We continue our two-part primer on reading scripture as a part of the Inquirer’s Class Series from 1:00-3:30 pm on May 7: How We Read Scripture in the Episcopal Church. We begin with the Hebrew Scriptures or as they are often called, the Old Testament. In the second session, we delve into the Greek Scriptures, or the New Testament. Why spend 2 sessions talking about scripture? To put it into perspective, we claim that Holy Scripture contains all things necessary for salvation. And “perspective” is one of the important things to discuss as we take a look at scripture. So, what lens are we using? Where did all these writings come from? What are some helpful resources/guides? We will discuss these questions and more, and also spend time reading scripture together.

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St. John’s Outreach Committee Project: People’s Place

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The Sacrament of Baptism

Dear Ones,

As you hear me say every week during our celebration of Eucharist – All are welcome at God’s Table. And “all” really means ALL at St. John’s. I truly hope that everyone feels welcome to participate.

Eucharist is one of our two sacraments in the Episcopal Church, the other being Baptism. What does that mean? What is a sacrament? Our Book of Common Prayer defines sacrament as “an outward and visible of sign of an inward and spiritual grace.” This means that when we celebrate/participate in a sacrament, we are making known to all and, perhaps, mostly to ourselves, that this inward and spiritual grace is present and real. We are actively claiming that as true for us. I supposed one might say that it’s a bit like coming out of the closet.

What is this grace that we are claiming? To put it simply, by participating in Eucharist, we are claiming the continuing presence of God’s reconciling love. By participating in Baptism, we are recognizing that we are God’s beloved children. Nourishment and identity, and the healing and love that deepen when we claim these surrounded by the support of our Christian community.

In the Episcopal Church, we will offer the Sacrament of Baptism on 4 occasions throughout the year and our next opportunity for Baptism is on the Feast of Pentecost (this year, on May 28). The other times we set aside for Baptism are the celebration of the Baptism of Christ (early January), the Great Vigil of Easter (Easter Eve), and All Saints Sunday (early November).

If you are interested in Baptism or interested in having your child baptized, let’s talk.

In God’s love and mine,
Rev. Michelle

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Announcements for April 30
The Fourth Sunday of Easter

This Week at St. John’s

Outreach Committee: Meets after worship on Sunday

The St. John’s Outreach Committee discusses ways to support community care efforts in and around Kingston. They oversee our Outreach Fund, giving financial support to various organizations. Join in the conversation after worship on Sunday. All are welcome!

Inquirer’s Class – This Sunday from 1:00-3:30 pm

We begin a two-part primer on reading scripture as a part of the Inquirer’s Class Series from 1:00-3:30 pm on April 23 and May 7.  How We Read Scripture in the Episcopal Church. We begin with the Hebrew Scriptures or as they are often called, the Old Testament. In the second session, we delve into the Greek Scriptures, or the New Testament. Why spend 2 sessions talking about scripture? To put it into perspective, we claim that Holy Scripture contains all things necessary for salvation. And “perspective” is one of the important things to discuss as we take a look at scripture. So, what lens are we using? Where did all these writings come from? What are some helpful resources/guides? We will discuss these questions and more, and also spend time reading scripture together.

Stay tuned! Rev. Michelle will soon be announcing a weekly Bible Study class to which all are invited!

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A Party to Plan Parties: St. John’s Event Planning

Holy Week: Everything you need to know!

Maundy Thursday

We begin at 6:00 pm with a simple soup supper in the Parish Hall. Afterwards, we move into the Sanctuary for Eucharist, offering foot-washing (so be prepared to take off your socks/shoes) or hand-washing. After Eucharist, we strip the altar, removing liturgical decorations and all symbols of Christ. We leave in silence.

Good Friday

Beginning at 12 noon, we enter the bare space – no sign of Christ. Through the reading of John’s Passion, we contemplate Jesus’ sacrifice. We pray and venerate the cross before leaving in silence.
You are also invited to attend the Good Friday prayer service at 2:00 pm at Ascension/Holy Trinity in West Park, NY. Both Rev. Michelle and the Rev. Br. Aidan Owen will be leading these Good Friday services together.

Stations of the Cross

On Friday at 7:00 pm in the St. John’s Sanctuary we offer a video presentation of the Stations of the Cross – looking through the lens of Jesus’ journey to Calvary we examine contemporary society.

Holy Saturday Prayers and Work Gathering

Before we prepare our Sanctuary for the coming celebration, we gather to reflect and pray at 9:00 am. Then we get busy with cleaning, placing flowers, and decorating the space. All are welcome to come and help out.

The Great Vigil of Easter

Bring a bell from home to ring! We begin at 8:00 pm in the Memorial Garden by lighting a new fire. We tell stories and sing hymns inside by candlelight, awaiting the dawn of Christ. We celebrate by renewing our Baptismal Vows and sharing Eucharist. The congregation of Ascension/Holy Trinity in West Park will join us as we all celebrate together.
This will be available by Zoom for those who are unable to drive at night.

Easter Sunday

A big, joyous celebration! Lots of singing and fun. Godly Play is available for the kids and an egg hunt after worship. Plus an abundant Community Brunch so bring food to share.

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From the St. John’s Vestry

Please keep the Vestry in your prayers as we continue to discern how our current financial reality can be used to renew the ministry of St. John’s. The adjustment of the Rector’s salary, hours, and responsibilities is central to this discernment so we are taking the time that is needed to pray and deliberate with the Holy Spirit. Please continue your individual exploration of the gifts that you have to offer and employ in our common ministry. And please bring your prayerful insights and comments to any one of the Vestry members. Thank you!

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This Sunday: April 2

• Palm Sunday – Read below for special instructions regarding kids’ worship

• Inquirer’s Class – What We Believe: The Creeds of the Church… and Beyond!

Palm Sunday: A Complicated and Paradoxical Day

On Palm Sunday we begin the story of Jesus’ journey in his final days. Jesus enters Jerusalem to the shouts of “Hosanna!” – a triumphal entry for a messiah. What happened next? What can we learn from this part of the story? We reflect on the complexity and drama inherent in human nature and in the society we create.

All of us will begin in the Sanctuary for the special Liturgy of the Palms. Then, the young people will go with Leah for a special lesson. We will all come back together for Communion and end with the Reading of the Passion. Finally, we all leave the sanctuary in silence.

What We Believe: The Creeds of the Church… and Beyond!
Parish Hall from 1:00-3:30

Christianity in America is many-faceted. So much so that 2 different communities that both call themselves Christian can have two completely opposing beliefs. How do we make sense of that? And where is the Episcopal Church in all of this? We’ll discuss the catechism, the Nicene Creed, the Resurrection, the Virgin Mary, the Trinity, what we believe about the Eucharist, and more. We’ll also talk about the difference between faith and belief.

All are welcome to join in our Inquirer’s Class. Come to the whole series or come to the topics that interest you the most. Learn more or register, here.

What is “Inquirer’s Class?

Whether you are new to the Episcopal Church or you have been here for years and want to learn more, this class is for you! We take a deeper dive into our Christian faith and how that is expressed as Episcopalians through 6 class sessions. Come to all of them or just come to the sessions where the topics interest you the most.

This class also serves as preparation for adult baptism, confirmation, or reception into the Episcopal Church. Speak with Rev. Michelle to learn more.

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Holy Week Schedule

Our Director of Music Offers “9:30 Sunday Music”

A New Offering at St. John’s

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Holy Week: Ancient Rites of the Pilgrim Path

Dear Ones,

Holy Week is the most sacred time in the Christian faith.

From earliest times Christians have observed the week before Easter as a journey of special devotion that can have a life-changing effect on us in the present. Jerusalem is the site of many sacred places where Jesus suffered and died. And for centuries, pilgrims have followed the path of Jesus in his last days at these places with processions and worship services.

The rites Episcopalians and other Christians will observe during Holy Week evolved from the observances of the pilgrims at these holy sites. These rites provide a worship experience of the last days of Jesus’ earthly life, as well as the time and events leading up to the Resurrection.

Find all the details here: Holy Week – St. John’s Kingston

Come and worship this coming week and journey into the deeper meaning of Easter.

In God’s love and mine,
Rev. Michelle

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Announcements for April 2
Palm Sunday

This Sunday: March 26
Rector’s Forum: Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Who We Are: History and Structure of the Episcopal Church

Rector’s Forum: Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
After worship in the Parish Hall.

The Alzheimer’s Association, Hudson Valley Chapter, is coming this Sunday to talk about the impact of these diseases along with risk factors, stages, research, and treatments. This is good information for everyone to know so we can care for ourselves and our loved ones.

WEAR PURPLE! To show your support of the work of the Alzheimer’s Association, please wear purple to church. Plus, it’s Lent, so purple is the perfect color for a Lenten Sunday.

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Who We are: History and Structure of the Episcopal Church
Parish Hall from 1:00-3:30

It’s a part of our human nature that our history shapes who we are. This is true of faith communities too. In this session, we spend time discussing many of the people and events that gave form to the Episcopal Church and how all of that shaped the ways in which we engaged the Christian faith then…. and continue our journey in Christ today.

All are welcome to join in our Inquirer’s Class. Come to the whole series or come to the topics that interest you the most. Learn more or register, here.

What is “Inquirer’s Class?

Whether you are new to the Episcopal Church or you have been here for years and want to learn more, this class is for you! We take a deeper dive into our Christian faith and how that is expressed as Episcopalians through 6 class sessions. Come to all of them or just come to the sessions where the topics interest you the most.

This class also serves as preparation for adult baptism, confirmation, or reception into the Episcopal Church. Speak with Rev. Michelle to learn more.

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Vestry Meeting Notes

The St. John’s Vestry meets on the third Monday every month at 6:00 pm in the Parish Hall.

Update on Discernment
Please keep the Vestry in your prayers as we continue to discern how our current financial reality can be used to renew the ministry of St. John’s. The adjustment of the Rector’s salary, hours, and responsibilities is central to this discernment so we are taking the time that is needed to pray and deliberate with the Holy Spirit. Please continue your individual exploration of the gifts that you have to offer and employ in our common ministry. And please bring your prayerful insights and comments to any one of the Vestry members. Thank you!

Finance Report

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Holy Week Schedule

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During the Week at St. John’s

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Apology: An Acknowledgment of the Breach

Dear Ones,
Today I want to share a few words from the Rev. Richard Witt.
Richard has been with us at St. John’s before as a supply priest and guest preacher. He will return in June to preach for us.

Richard is the Executive Director of Rural and Migrant Ministries (RMM). RMM is a statewide organization who works to support migrant farmworkers across the state and its office is outside of Newburgh. As a priest in our diocese – the Diocese of New York (Hudson Valley and NYC), Richard is a member of the Reparations Commission, engaged in reparations work in this diocese for 17 years. Here is what he has to say about tomorrow’s Service of Apology (shared with permission):

I heard many in the early years exclaim: “This was a southern issue, not a northern issue.” and “our congregation is too new to have participated” and “I wasn’t around.” The more we have explored the more we have realized that the North bankrolled and benefitted from enslavement, that New York had the second largest slave market in the United States, that the Hudson Valley agricultural system got its start with slaves, that our banking system (read Wall Street) rested on enslavement. In turn, we have come to realize through our exploration that this legacy led to New Deal decisions that excluded farmworkers from a day of rest until 2019; that zoning and banking regulations shepherded, and continue to shepherd, people away from many of the suburbs that support our parishes; and the maintenance of a criminal justice system that somehow continues the ongoing oppression of people of color. In other words, many more of us have benefitted, and continue to benefit, even though “we weren’t there”.

There clearly is much to be done to repair this harm. There is much to be done to change the direction of this legacy. Our call is on-going. And, somewhere in this call is the simple act of apologizing – apologizing publicly and breaking our cycle of silence as a Diocese. We have never apologized.

Please forgive me as I say one more thing. During these years, both as a part of the Reparations process, and in my role at Rural & Migrant Ministry, I have heard countless Black brothers and sisters yearn for an apology, for an acknowledgement of the breach, yearn for an ownership of complicity, yearn for humility. I have come to realize that this apology is a step toward removing the walls that divide us and in turn an opportunity for all of us to witness God’s love more fully.      – The Rev. Richard Witt

Beloved Ones, so often, we are very mindful of our busy schedule, taking care of the big list of little things, and we miss the significant, most important things. I believe this to be a significant, important thing. Here’s a story from Religion News Service: NY Episcopalians to apologize for slavery & aftermath at Manhattan service (religionnews.com)

The diocese is paying for a bus to take people from the Hudson Valley to the Cathedral and there is room on this bus. We will be leaving New Paltz at 8:00 am and return in the late afternoon. As I told you in my last letter to you, I am going as a vested member of the clergy and Ana is going as one of the musicians. So often, we are more mindful of our busy schedule, taking care of the little things and we miss the significant, most important things. I believe this to be a significant, important thing. Here’s a story from Religion News Service: NY Episcopalians to apologize for slavery & aftermath at Manhattan service (religionnews.com)

If you would like to join us on the bus, email me as soon as possible at michelle.stjohnskingston@gmail.com. You can also view the service at home: Calendar – Cathedral of Saint John the Divine (stjohndivine.org)

Whatever your decision, I hope that you will consider seriously your engagement with the work of Anti-Racism both in your own life and in our common life as the community of St. John’s.

In God’s love and mine,
Rev. Michelle

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Announcements for March 26
The Fifth Sunday in Lent

This Sunday: March 12
How We Pray: Worship in the Episcopal Church
Parish Hall from 1:00-3:30

Have you ever wondered why we do the things we do during worship? Where did all of these practices come from? What do all the symbols mean – the colors, the white robes, the gestures? What is in the Prayer Book? What is the liturgical year? What is the deeper meaning behind the services of Holy Week? And what is “prayer” anyway? Phew… lots to talk about here. Bring all your questions!

All are welcome to join in our Inquirer’s Class. Come to the whole series or come to the topics that interest you the most. Learn more or register, here.

What is “Inquirer’s Class?

Whether you are new to the Episcopal Church or you have been here for years and want to learn more, this class is for you! We take a deeper dive into our Christian faith and how that is expressed as Episcopalians through 6 class sessions. Come to all of them or just come to the sessions where the topics interest you the most.

This class also serves as preparation for adult baptism, confirmation, or reception into the Episcopal Church. Speak with Rev. Michelle to learn more.

During the Week at St. John’s

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What We Have Left Undone

Soon after my arrival in the Diocese of New York about 7 years ago, I began to hear about a group called the Reparations Committee, which eventually became the Reparations Commission. What is this work?

Those who are engaged in reparations work have made the moral decision to examine and explore our collective historical involvement in the enslavement of Black people and, subsequently, our ongoing involvement in systems that continue to oppress and marginalize Black people.

It’s often not an easy conversation. There are people who still argue that slavery is a “Southern thing” despite the knowledge that, not only did people own slaves in the north (we have our own Sojourner Truth here in Ulster County) but that much of the wealth that built New York City were profits from the slave trade itself. There are also people who say, “this happened before I was born and I never did anything wrong.” Yet, all white people, no matter what socioeconomic class, have benefitted directly from systems of privilege (including wealth) that were designed to prevent access to Black people.

My beloveds, these are not opinions. These are facts. And the continued denial of these facts has raised a heinous demon in the soul of our society. You all know me well enough to know that I don’t use that word every day but that is exactly what it is – a demon that conflates rhetoric, opinion, and truth in the attempt to justify the continued oppression of others as “the cost of doing business” or “collateral damage” or, worse.

Meanwhile, the entire trajectory of the Hebrew Scriptures speaks in outright opposition to this evil. Which leads us to Jesus.

Last week, in the Gospel, we read about Jesus talking to Nicodemus. And Jesus says to him: “Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony.” Who are we, then, if we are not willing to receive the testimony of our own siblings who tell us of their oppression? We must be willing to look past the line we have drawn in the sand and see where Christ is pointing.

So, let us begin by acknowledging that slavery is and was a sin. In so doing, it is proper to look at our Confession: Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. 
By what we have done… and by what we have left undone. Dear Ones, this is the key phrase.

We have left so much undone. We may not have been alive when slavery was the law but, we have to take seriously the continued effort to “undo” this sin because it still infects our systems and our institutions and, therefore, it still infects us.

The Diocese of New York is collectively doing this work of undoing. And the Reparations Commission is leading all of us in this effort. You can learn more here.

On Saturday, March 26 Bishop Andy Dietsche will be joined by Bishops Mary Glasspool, Allen Shin, and Bishop Coadjutor Elect Matt Heyd in a special service of apology. I am going as a vested member of the clergy. Ana is going as one of the musicians. And I ask you to consider going. Please do. And let us fill the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, with a prayer of apology that resounds far and wide, shakes the very ground under our feet, and opens our hearts to God’s deeper truth and grace that will lead us in our undoing.

And then, let this be for us at St. John’s what carries us forward into an exploration of our own complicity in the evil of slavery.

I’d like to end by saying this, and it’s something I have said before when it comes to our collective anti-racism work: We do not do this work to feel superior to those who do not do it. It’s much too important for it to be an ego trip. I will not tolerate anyone demeaning others or gossiping about others. Afterall, Nicodemus came to Jesus in earnest. Confrontation is one thing, and it is necessary. But we must always endeavor to speak the truth in love.

In God’s love and mine,
Rev. Michelle

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Announcements for March 12
The Third Sunday in Lent

This Sunday: March 5

All Ages Worship
Begins at 10:00 am. We’ll be talking about the
gift of curiosity and Jesus’ friend Nicodemus.

and…

Angel Food East Fundraiser

Come to Keegan Ales for an afternoon of food and fun
from 2-5 pm to support our feeding ministry, Angel Food East!

2023 Seasons of Lent and Easter at St. John’s

Here are the many opportunities for people to engage and learn at St. John’s over the coming months. Look for more information here in our e-newsletter, The Good News at St. John’s.

Mar 5: All Ages Worship – The Curiosity of Nicodemus
Angel Food East Mac-n-Cheese Bakeoff Returns! Come for food and fun in support of our feeding ministry. Begins at 2:00 pm at Keegan Ales.
Mar 12: How We Pray: Worship in the Episcopal Church. Inquirer’s Class is held from 1:00-3:30 pm.
Mar 19: Godly Play for kids, Healing Sunday
Mar 26: Purple Sunday! For our Rector’s Forum this month, the Alzheimer’s Association will make a presentation about Alzheimer’s and dementia. After Worship.
Who We Are: History / Structure of the Episcopal Church. Inquirer’s Class is held from 1:00-3:30 pm.
Apr 2: Palm Sunday All Ages Worship
What We Believe: The Creeds of the Church. Inquirer’s Class is held from 1:00-3:30 pm.
Apr 6: Maundy Thursday – soup supper, Eucharist, foot-washing, cleaning of the Altar. Begins at 6:00 pm
Apr7: Good Friday – Prayer service at 12:00 pm with the reading of the Passion. Stations of the Cross at 7:00 pm.
Apr 8: Holy Saturday – Reflection and prayers followed by Work Party at 9:00 am. Easter Vigil begins at 8:00 pm
Apr 9: Easter Sunday: Festive Choral Eucharist followed by Community Brunch and Egg Hunt for the kids
Apr 16: Godly Play for kids, Healing Sunday
Apr 23: How We Read Scripture I: The Hebrew Scriptures. Inquirer’s Class is held from 1:00-3:30 pm.
Apr 30: Rector’s Forum – Life at the Time of Jesus
May 7: All Ages Worship
How We Read Scripture II: The Greek Scriptures. Inquirer’s Class is held from 1:00-3:30 pm.
May 21: What We Do: Ministry and the Baptismal Covenant. Inquirer’s Class is held from 1:00-3:30 pm.
May 28: The Feast of Pentecost

_______________________________________________________

St. John’s Inquirer’s Class

Sign up for one or more sessions in the Vestibule or email Rev. Michelle at michelle.stjohnskingston.org

This Sunday!

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Angel Food East Fundraiser
Come out for an afternoon of food and fun in support of our feeding ministry, Angel Food East!

Sunday, March 5 from 2-5 pm at Keegan Ales

2023 Seasons of Lent and Easter at St. John’s

Here are the many opportunities for people to engage and learn at St. John’s over the coming months. Look for more information here in our e-newsletter, The Good News at St. John’s.

Feb 26: Rector’s Forum: Acolytes, Ushes, and Lectors… Oh, my! Come and learn more about the various worship leader roles at St. John’s and sign up for training. After worship.
Mar 5: All Ages Worship – The Curiosity of Nicodemus
Angel Food East Mac-n-Cheese Bakeoff Returns! Come for food and fun in support of our feeding ministry. Begins at 2:00 pm at Keegan Ales.
Mar 12: How We Pray: Worship in the Episcopal Church. Inquirer’s Class is held from 1:00-3:30 pm.
Mar 19: Godly Play for kids, Healing Sunday
Mar 26: Purple Sunday! For our Rector’s Forum this month, the Alzheimer’s Association will make a presentation about Alzheimer’s and dementia. After Worship.
Who We Are: History / Structure of the Episcopal Church. Inquirer’s Class is held from 1:00-3:30 pm.
Apr 2: Palm Sunday All Ages Worship
What We Believe: The Creeds of the Church. Inquirer’s Class is held from 1:00-3:30 pm.
Apr 6: Maundy Thursday – soup supper, Eucharist, foot-washing, cleaning of the Altar. Begins at 6:00 pm
Apr7: Good Friday – Prayer service at 12:00 pm with the reading of the Passion. Stations of the Cross at 7:00 pm.
Apr 8: Holy Saturday – Reflection and prayers followed by Work Party at 9:00 am. Easter Vigil begins at 8:00 pm
Apr 9: Easter Sunday: Festive Choral Eucharist followed by Community Brunch and Egg Hunt for the kids
Apr 16: Godly Play for kids, Healing Sunday
Apr 23: How We Read Scripture I: The Hebrew Scriptures. Inquirer’s Class is held from 1:00-3:30 pm.
Apr 30: Rector’s Forum – Life at the Time of Jesus
May 7: All Ages Worship
How We Read Scripture II: The Greek Scriptures. Inquirer’s Class is held from 1:00-3:30 pm.
May 21: What We Do: Ministry and the Baptismal Covenant. Inquirer’s Class is held from 1:00-3:30 pm.
May 28: The Feast of Pentecost

_______________________________________________________

St. John’s Inquirer’s Class

Sign up for one or more sessions in the Vestibule or email Rev. Michelle at michelle.stjohnskingston.org

Consider Masking
While masking remains optional at St. John’s, you are encouraged to consider wearing a mask during worship to help keep down the transmission of covid, flu, and other illnesses. Masks are available at both entrances.