Parishioners and friends of St. Michael's,

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Children's chapel will take a hiatus in July

Godly Play and Youth classes are taking a break for the summer - we still start up again after Labor Day.

Contemplative Prayer - The SMAA Contemplative Prayer Group invites you to participate in our weekly contemplative prayer service.  We meet in the Sanctuary from 7-8 pm every Monday evening.

This Sunday we will have healing prayer at all our morning services.

Adult Formation

July 12 - Ministry Matters, focus on Pastoral Care and Counseling

July 19 - General Convention Report 

Dear Friends,

   I would not ordinarily write my first letter to a parish about the General Convention of the Episcopal Church-opting instead to write something of a more spiritual or inspirational nature. But the triennial convention begins this week in Salt Lake City, and it will be considering issues that will have a direct impact on the life of St. Michael's Church, so it seems wise to share a few thoughts now in anticipation of those decisions. We are blessed that two of our own parishioners, Cathy Bailey and Joe Alarid, are deputies to the convention, and will be able to give us first-hand accounts.

   In particular, the convention will be considering proposed changes in the canons (rules) regarding marriage in the Episcopal Church-changes that would open the door for the church to allow clergy to officiate at marriages of same-sex couples (and not just bless long-term relationships, as is currently the case). The proposed changes have been recommended by a commission created by the 2012 convention to study the nature of marriage (chaired by our own previous rector, Fr. Brian Taylor); its report is available online at https://extranet.generalconvention.org/staff/files/download/12485. The report includes both the proposed changes to the canons, and several very substantive essays on the theology and history of marriage.

   The proposed changes will not be made simply by an up or down vote on the overall question of same-sex marriage: rather, the proposals involve several canonical amendments that would in effect make the canons gender neutral with respect to marriage. These various amendments could themselves be either adopted, amended, or rejected by the convention, and if even adopted, would only open the door for the possibility of the authorization of rites for same-sex marriages. The process, in other words, will be a bit complicated and therefore hard to predict.

   In conversations I have had with a variety of people around the church, the feeling seems to be that while the House of Deputies (clergy and lay delegates) is likely to take a more progressive stance and will be willing simply to open the entire church to same-sex marriages, the House of Bishops is likely to tread more cautiously. What some persons have suggested is that the bishops will take the provisional step of authorizing bishops in states where same-sex marriage is legal to allow clergy in those dioceses to officiate at such weddings. If that is the case, then the convention may additionally take the step of approving new liturgical rites for the purpose.  

   Since we live in a state where same-sex marriage is legal, one would hope that if these predictions prove to be accurate, that our own diocese will be able to make advantage of these changes so that clergy may formally officiate at such weddings. Certainly that is the direction in which I understand the Diocese of the Rio Grande to have been moving.

   Ironically, of course, the church will be considering these issues just as the Supreme Courts delivers its own opinion on the question of a constitutional right to marriage, which could change the equation rather dramatically. Yet however these decisions fall, it will be the joy of St. Michael's Church to continue its support and affirmation of all those loving relationships that speak to us of the love that God has for us all. Please keep our church and nation in your prayers in the days ahead.

Faithfully yours,

Joe +

Parishioner, Kevin Randall, has died.  May Light perpetual shine upon him.  We send our prayers for Margie Polito and all family and friends who mourn the loss of Kevin.  A memorial service will be held at St. Michael's on Wednesday, June 24th at 2:00 with a reception following in the parish hall.

This Sunday at 7:00 a.m. there will be a Procession and Vigil Against Gun Violence at General Convention in Salt Lake City, led by a group of Episcopal bishops organized against gun violence. We will hold a vigil at St Michael's at the same time, between 7:00 and 7:30 a.m., in conjunction with them and in solidarity with victims of gun violence in Charleston and throughout our country.

We always need personal hygiene products.  In particular, we look for soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and toothbrushes.  We also give out disposable children's diapers (size 4 is best) and even toilet paper.  If you have some of the small soaps and shampoos that hotels stock, they would be welcome.  And, thanks for the diapers this past week.  We have a good supply for the time being.

We need to let everyone know that our back-to-school drive will officially start on Sunday, July 5.  We know that school just let out a few weeks ago and it's hard to think about another school year, but it's the nature of our schedule, since families come only once every four weeks, that we have to start early so the families who come to the pantry four weeks before school begins will have something for their children.