Anglican Poets: Christina Rosetti |
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“The Love of Christ Which Passeth Knowledge” |
I bore with thee long weary days and nights,
Through many pangs of heart, through many tears;
I bore with thee, thy hardness, coldness, slights,
For three and thirty years.
Who else had dared for thee what I have dared?
I plunged the depth most deep from bliss above;
I not my flesh, I not my spirit spared:
Give thou Me love for love.
For thee I thirsted in the daily drouth,
For thee I trembled in the nightly frost:
Much sweeter thou than honey to My mouth:
Why wilt thou still be lost?
I bore thee on My shoulders and rejoiced':
Men only marked upon My shoulders borne
The branding cross; and shouted hungry-voiced,
Or wagged their heads in scorn.
Thee did nails grave upon My hands, thy name
Did thorns for frontlets stamp between Mine eyes:
I, Holy One, put on thy guilt and shame;
I, God, Priest, Sacrifice.
A thief upon My right hand and My left;
Six hours alone, athirst, in misery:
At length in death one smote My heart and cleft
A hiding-place for thee.
Nailed to the racking cross, than bed of down
More dear, whereon to stretch Myself and sleep:
So did I win a kingdom, share My crown;
A harvest,—come and reap.
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Christina Rossetti was a celebrated nineteenth-century poet and devout Anglo-Catholic. Rossetti's religious beliefs profoundly influenced her life and work, shaping her poetry with a unique blend of spiritual depth and artistic brilliance.
Growing up in a household of intellectuals and artists, Rossetti was exposed to a rich cultural environment. Her father, Gabriele Rossetti, was an Italian poet and political exile, while her brother, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, became a prominent Pre-Raphaelite painter. Influenced by her family's artistic and literary pursuits, Rossetti started writing poetry at a young age.
Rossetti's Anglo-Catholic faith was central to her identity as a poet. Her poems, such as "Goblin Market" and "In the Bleak Midwinter," exemplify her commitment to exploring religious themes through a lyrical and imaginative lens. "Goblin Market," in particular, is considered a masterpiece, delving into themes of temptation, sacrifice, and redemption, all set against the backdrop of Christian allegory.
Christina Rossetti's life was closely connected to all aspects of the Oxford Movement. Beginning at the age of 13, she attended Christ Church, Albany Street, the church often described as the leading London church of the Oxford Movement. She supported Anglican religious sisterhoods; in fact, the first such sisterhood was planned in her parish and established in nearby Park Village West in 1845. Later, both she and her sister, Maria, supported the work of The Society of All Saints, another of these Anglican sisterhoods. She volunteered at the St. Mary Magdalene Penitentiary, a home for former prostitutes, showcasing her commitment to social reform and Christian charity. Her religious beliefs informed her views on social issues, and she used her writing to advocate for moral causes, leaving a lasting impact on the Victorian society of her time.
Christina Rossetti's distinctive voice stands out in Victorian literature, weaving together her profound faith and poetic genius.
- Jami Blakeley
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Notes from the Staff: Fr. Larry Parrish |
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In his sermon last Sunday, the Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost, Fr. Sean encouraged our personal use of the Daily Offices in the Book of Common Prayer, specifically Morning and Evening Prayer, as a way of deepening our love of God through prayer.
The Book of Common Prayer has its roots in the English Reformation of sixteenth century, when leaders in the English Church sought to uphold the Catholic tradition but wanted to incorporate certain Protestant Reformation ideals, notably worship texts and Scripture being rendered in the language of the people. It was a radical idea for the time, and the result was a worship and devotional resource that is still unique among all Christian traditions. It also had a large impact on the English language, equal to the King James Bible, which it predated by 62 years. Revised continually but slowly over the succeeding centuries, it has spawned unique versions for use in churches of the Anglican traditions of other countries while still retaining a familiarity and commonality for its users no matter which version is being used. It remains a resource for corporate and personal worship and devotion that has no parallel in any other denomination.
If you don’t have a copy, they are easily available from our publishing arm, Church Publishing, but Amazon and its bookseller partners are also a great resource, and probably cheaper, too. As Fr. Sean noted, there are on-line versions and apps available also. I have one such app on my Android phone, but I won’t confuse things by trying to tell you how to obtain that for yours!
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And that brings me to recommend another resource for personal or family devotion as we enter a week in which celebrate Allhallowtide at St. Mary’s, which culminates in the Feast of All Saints this coming Sunday, November 5. All Saints’ Day is actually November 1 of each year, but in order to celebrate it in the manner which befits its importance in the life of the church and the church year, we are transferring it as a major feast day to a Sunday, when a maximum number of us have the opportunity to take part. It is important because the saints are very important to both our history and our future as a parish and as individual Christians.
The resource to which I am referring is something I consider a companion to the Book of Common Prayer; we Episcopalian/Anglo-Catholic Christians call it Lesser Feasts and Fasts. Unlike the Book of Common Prayer, it is not often found in the pews of our churches but is commonly used in Low Masses on weekdays and in Morning and Evening Prayer Offices, even if it is not required to be so used. For LFF (allow me the use of the initials) not only gives the calendar date for remembering the saints of the Church but a short bio of each one, along with a collect and recommended lessons (Scripture readings) for the day. It includes many of the saints in Christian history who are also honored in the Roman and Orthodox traditions, but it also includes a great number who have been important to our Anglo-Catholic and American Episcopal histories. While their stories are meant to honor them as important influences on our faith and faith practices and as examples of what it means to live a Christian life, sometimes even unto death, in them “we are not dealing primarily with absolutes of perfection but human lives, in all their diversity, open to the motions of the Holy Spirit,” as the Preface to Lesser Feasts and Fasts 2018 puts it. Following their lives through the church year, we gain greater knowledge of how the Anglican tradition and churches came into being or were sustained and gives us pause to think about our own role in the unfolding of Christian history. Many new saints in LFF have been authorized over the years, so there is a saint for almost, but not quite, every day of the year. As we use the Book of Common Prayer in our personal and family devotions, and in weekday Masses, we have LFF to tell us what a life formed by our prayer book looks like. It is not only historically interesting, but I think it also exerts a quiet influence on our own lives and our interactions with others and the world as we pray in the eloquent language of the BCP.
Forward Day by Day is a print devotional resource of the Episcopal Church, but they also offer an app which also gives you the Daily Offices plus the saint of the day. Again, I will let you find it on your own, but if you need some help, please call me. I would further highly recommend that you secure a copy of Lesser Feasts and Fasts. The current version is LLF 2022, which is the version we use at the weekday Masses. If you find it more than you wish to spend, there are older versions, and “trial versions” within the book sellers’ aftermarket (Again, check Amazon partners). I have LLF 1980, and LFF 2018, and a trial version called Holy Women, Holy Men (2009). There is also a version entitled A Great Cloud of Witnesses, which I no longer have but would recommend. The caveat about the trial versions is that some of the saints listed differ from the final “authorized” versions, but they still are useful for personal and family devotions, and you get to know even more saints! As we approach our celebration of this “Principal Feast” of the Church called “All Saints,” I recommend that, if you haven’t done so already, to put the lives of the saints of our tradition into your daily devotions or reading. Your life will be enriched by doing so.
- Fr. Larry
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Meet the Music Team: Joanna Ehlers |
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I am a Kansas City native and have been a choral scholar at St. Mary's since 2007. I was immediately enraptured by the beautiful liturgy and the dignity of the worship; I remain at St. Mary's because I believe strongly in social justice, progressive Christianity, and helping the poor. St. Mary's has become the hub of my musical life in Kansas City, and I am privileged to sing weekly with people who are like a second family.
Outside of St. Mary's, I am a professional opera singer and chorister, and I currently reside in Independence with my family.
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William Baker Festival Singers |
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MUSIC DOWN IN MY SOUL
26th Season Opening Concert of the William Baker Festival Singers
Sunday, November 5, 3:00 PM,
St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 1307 Holmes Street KCMO
The William Baker Festival Singers, a 50-voice semi-professional chorale that is Chorus in Residence at St. Mary's Church, performs their 26th Season Opening Concert in the Nave on Sunday, November 5, 3:00 PM. The concert will include the Kansas City premier of British composer Edmund Jolliffe's beautiful setting of WESSOBRUNN PRAYER; classic works by Ralph Vaughan Williams and Anton Bruckner, modern works by Knut Nystedt and Norman Dello Joio, and culminating in the Festival Singers signature early American hymns, spirituals and gospel songs. Moses Hogan's setting of the spiritual MUSIC DOWN IN MY SOUL will be conducted by Choral Intern Kelsey Emmanuel and will be the theme work of the concert.
The Festival Singers have produced dozens of nationally released recordings that have been broadcast on national radio programs, including NPR's Performance Today, have conducted tour performances in 14 states and the District of Columbia, including the Washington National Cathedral, Helzberg Hall, Trinity Wall Street Church in New York City, the Basilica of St. Josaphat in Milwaukee, St. James Cathedral in Chicago, and St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans, among many others. In recent years the Festival Singers have been national second place winners of the American Prize in Choral Performance and the Ernst Bacon Award for Service to American Music. The work of the Festival Singers has been lauded in reviews in The Kansas City Star, The American Record Guide, The Journal of the Anglican Association of Musicians and KC Metropolis. The membership of the Festival Singers, all who serve as volunteers for the choir, is comprised of professional singers, church music leaders, music educators and university professors serving across the Kansas City region.
Festival Singers concerts are usually very well-attended. Early arrival is recommended for best seats. For information call 913-488-7524 or email Mail@FestivalSingers.org
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Why pledge?
We invite you to prayerfully consider and return a pledge card.
But why should you pledge?
Christian stewardship encompasses all our actions after we say we believe. This includes what we do with our financial resources. We offer a portion of what we have received back to God, acknowledging that everything we are and have is a gift from Him.
Pledging helps us prioritize. Jesus urges us to dedicate ourselves to what truly matters.. Completing a pledge indicates what matters to you.
It is an opportunity to reflect on our baptismal covenant and to consider how we have responded and will continue to respond in the coming year.
How much should you give?
There are many ways to decide how much to give. The most important thing is that we give in gratitude, attending to that before all else. Currently, we have received eighteen pledges totaling $74,164, making progress towards our goal of $200,000.
Blessings,
Raja
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ALL SAINTS' AT ST. MARY’S |
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ALL SAINTS’ DAY TRANSFERRED
Sunday, November 5
Low Mass, 8:00 AM
High Mass with Asperges, 10:00 AM
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LGBT & Friends will gather at St. Mary’s on Sunday, November 5, 2023. Our start time will be at 6:00 p.m., and we will enter on the south side of the building. We will be having a potluck, so please bring good food and/or drink.
I look forward to seeing you there.
Cheers,
Brian
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For the final concert series of their ninth season, join KC VITAs for an immersive concert to bridge the seasons! A concert in three parts, brand new vocal music for choir, vocal chamber ensemble, and art song by living composers from around the world will be presented, each with its own creative theme, decor, and specially curated cocktail!
Performed in the allegedly haunted St. Mary’s Episcopal Church by candlelight, the concert will begin with a nod to Halloween with spooky compositions, including the World Premiere of Philip Wharton’s “The Wind,” Steve Landis’ Regional Premiere of “As the Night Cereus Blooms” for soprano and mezzo-soprano duet, Juhi Bansal’s Regional Premiere trio “Night Wears Black,” and Kyle Lewis’s “Shoomn.” The second set with the theme of Thanksgiving, Autumn, and Harvest will include the World Premiere of Travis Reynold’s art song “For A Fallen Field Mouse” and Regional Premieres by Brittney Benton (“Invitation to Love”) and Caroline Mallonee (“Songs of Crystal”). The final set to celebrate Advent, Christmas, and the New Year, the choir will present the World Premiere of Joseph Fong’s “O Magnum Mysterium,” Anthony Esland’s “little tree” (U.S. Premiere), Helder Alves de Olivieira’s “He Came All So Still” (Regional Premiere), and “New Year” by Composer-In-Residence, Kota Hayton. The choir will be conducted by KC VITAs’s Founder/Artistic Director, Jackson C. Thomas.
KC VITAs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the continued creation and performance of “contemporary-classical” vocal music that has brought over 80 world premieres to Kansas City audiences since 2015. The organization is excited to welcome in-person audiences to this event, and tickets are available on the organization’s website, www.kcvitas.org.
Please visit the KC VITAs Facebook page or website for more information about “Ghosts, Gourds, and Garland” and news on future projects.
“Ghosts, Gourds, and Garland”
Friday, November 10th @ 7:00 p.m.;
Sunday, November 12th @ 3:00 p.m.
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church
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Podcast: All Things Episcopal |
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Do you have an interest in the Episcopal Church?
How about podcasts? Well look no further...
The Campus Ministry Commission for the Diocese of West Missouri has just completed their first series of "All Things Episcopal." Here is a little bit of info about this wonderful project, as well as the link to the podcasts for your listening enjoyment.
"All Things Episcopal" is a platform to talk about the Episcopal faith and introduce some basics about the Episcopal Church, including why we do some of the things we do that may sometimes be a mystery (or even an obstacle) to those new to our church. The intended audience for this podcast is college students and young adults, especially those who may be coming from outside our faith tradition.
"All Things Episcopal" features several well-known people from our diocese, including a few episodes with St. Mary's own Justin Smith and Fr. David Wilcox.
We hope you will enjoy!
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St. Mary's Survey: Deadline Extended to November 30th |
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As you know, we recently agreed to move forward with HolyCow! Consulting to help us plan our future. Beginning Sunday, we will be asking the parishioners at St. Mary's to participate in the first step, which is to conduct a congregational assessment. This assessment will provide a clear picture of who we are as a church and what directions are most important for our future. The tool we'll use is the Congregation Assessment Tool (CAT), which will provide key indicators of our congregational health along with areas of challenge and potential growth. It will help us to collect and understand the range of views that exist at St. Mary's and the possibilities, willingness, capacity and energy for moving our ministry into the future.
If you have provided us with a current email address, you will receive a web link to complete the assessment online. If you would prefer to take the assessment using a paper copy, please stop by the office, and we will provide one for you along with a self-addressed stamped envelope.
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NOTE: If there is only one email address for all members of your household, it may be tempting to have one person take the survey on behalf of the family. However, please be sure your spouse and all young adults living in your home have an opportunity to complete the survey. INDIVIDUAL INPUT is key to our gaining insight into overall perceptions and experiences.
Please set aside enough time to answer all the questions. This will take about 30 minutes. All survey responses are strictly anonymous.
Thank you for your willingness to be a part of this congregational assessment and for helping to build the future of St. Mary's.
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St. Mary's will be participating in
Saint Luke’s Crittenton Children’s Centers Adopt-an-Angel program.
We have been provided with "Wish Lists" for eight children currently in Foster Care.
Ranging from the age of 8 months to 16 years.
A Christmas tree will be located in the parish hall with paper ornaments. You may select gift items to provide to this cause, which will help these individuals and families have a nice Christmas.
Please deliver your gifts to the church no later than
Sunday, November 26th.
This deadline is strict in order to deliver the gifts by December 1st.
Some Important GUIDELINES for gifts:
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- All gifts need to be new and unwrapped.
- If adopting an “angel,” we suggest a mix of clothing, educational and fun items.
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Lectio Divina and Centering Prayer |
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Place: St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in St. George Chapel
Dates: First Saturdays
Time: We will gather a little before 10:30 AM so that we can begin our time of reading and centering prayer promptly at 10:30 AM. These sessions will end no later than noon, if not before.
Lectio Divina (Latin for "Divine Reading") is a traditional monastic practice of scripture reading, meditation, and prayer, intended to promote communion with God and to increase the knowledge of God's word. Centering prayer is a silent way of opening to God's presence and action within us, beyond thoughts and words.
Both are practices that fell away from common usage except for those who were in monastic communities. In recent years, Christian leaders have rediscovered these valuable practices that were originally intended for all Christians. Ideally, these practices lead us into a more attentive and listening mode, a space in which we are more open to hear the voice of God in Scripture and in our personal lives.
To begin the first few sessions, your facilitators will be Brian Cowley, Nancy Wagner, and Deacon Lynda Hurt. That being said, this is not a study but a group exercise, in which we will all be participating as learners.
There is no need to reserve a spot but come when you can and join us in this “sitting and listening.
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As the Diocese of West Missouri starts searching for the next bishop, our 47 congregations are offering a special prayer for this process.
O Creator God, giver of every good gift, look graciously on us in the Diocese of West Missouri and guide us as we discern our call of a new bishop. O Jesus, be present in our discernment, and lead us to a shepherd who will invite us to live out the Gospel every day. O Holy Spirit, inspire us with your wisdom, and kindle our hearts with the fire of your love, that we may be renewed as we prepare to welcome the ministry of our next bishop. This we ask trusting in You. Amen.
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This is a reminder that the Morning Prayer zoom link has been updated! If you'd like to attend the 7:30a.m. virtual morning prayer, you can click on the link found on the worship schedule page.
The zoom link is also available here.
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Artist's Inspiration Hour |
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Artist's Inspiration Hour Tuesday's @ 6:30 p.m.
Do you have an artistic goal? Is there a medium you wish to explore? Do you find it rather hard to stay focused to explore or complete art projects? Won’t you consider joining the St. Mary’s Artists’ working group, via Zoom. We will meet weekly on Tuesday’s at 6:30 PM CST. Come to discuss an ongoing project or proposed project for which you want feedback or encouragement. Please also join us if you are looking for ideas or inspiration.
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Get Added to the Newsletter! |
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Have something you'd like to promote, or have any questions? Please send all of your inquiries and ideas to our Communications Coordinator, Zach Phillips by Wednesday of each week for the following week.
You can reach out to him at communications@diowestmo.org or by clicking here.
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*We will not meet this week.
Please turn to Track 2 at the top of the page.
This Sunday's Bible Study will gather at 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. again next week in the Downstairs Classroom, often referred to as the AA Room. Here is the link to the readings:
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Check out previous sermons here!
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Mary Beveridge, Richard Herndon, Laura Moats, Bernie, Kent Howerton, Dan, Ruby, Peg, Jamie,
Milo, Tracy, Raja Reed, Meredith Pritchard, Scott Wilcox, Julie O’Rourke Zaveral, Collette Drane,
Brian Hunter, Irene Gould, Nancy Warren, Mary Parrish, George Vinnie, Michael Heiner, Jeanie
Lillard Frank, Bonnie Haupt, Dan, Sandra Lee, Merton Shatzkin, Matthew Plummer, Michelle,
Michael, Jake, Kendra, Charlie, Corrine, Michael Frost, Shylee Bradford-Bevis, Lolit Moore, Bre
Baker, Don Clark, Cathy, Sharon Johnson, Connie, Fr. John Biggs, John Stanks, Glenn & Darlene
Moore, Paul Powell, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry.
To add a name to the prayer list, please email Raja.
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Sundays
Low Mass at 8:00 a.m.
High Mass at 10:00 a.m.
Weekdays
Low Mass at 12:00 p.m. (M,T,Th,F)
Private Confessions at 5:00 p.m. (Wed.)
Low Mass at 6:00 p.m. (Wed.)
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This Week in the Church Calendar
Friday, November 03 | Richard Hooker, 1600
Saturday, November 04 | Feria
Monday, November 06 | William Temple, 1944
Tuesday, November 07 | Willibrord, 739
Wednesday, November 08 | Ammonius, c.403
Thursday, November 09 | Richard Rolle, Walter Hilton, and Margery Kempe, 1349, 1396, & c.1440
Click here to pray the Daily Office! Click here for information about the lesser feasts, including Mass readings and short biographies of the saints.
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Clergy and Staff
Priest-in-Charge
Assistant Priest-in-Charge
Deacon
Rector Emeritus
Sacristan/Master of Ceremonies
Verger
Parish Administrator
Communications Coordinator
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Music
Director of Music/Choirmaster
Choral Assistant
Organist
Vestry
Ms. Sharon Hunter-Putsch, Senior Warden
Mr. Philip Lofflin, Junior Warden
Ms. Sylvia Rose Augustus
Ms. Erika Darling
Ms. Betty Iorg
Dr. Michael Prucha
Ms. Kristi Seaton, Clerk
Ms. Lenna Taylor, Treasurer
Postulants for Holy Orders
Dr. Brian Cowley
Mr. Richard Liantonio
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To the Glory of God and in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary |
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Saint Mary's Episcopal Church
1307 Holmes Street
Kansas City, Missouri 64106
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Telephone
(816) 842-0975
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