St. PJ's eNews: July 25, 2025 | | |
- Weekly Reflection: On Morning Prayer
- Remembering Bishop Jeffrey Rowthorn
- New Date: Hymn Sing and Ice Cream Social
- New Haven Open Street Festivals
- News from the Wider Church: Faxon Law drops Avelo sponsorship over ICE partnership, Trump attacks religious liberty of immigrant Christians + Native Americans, the Council of Nicaea 1,700 years later, and more
- This Week at St. PJ's and Cycles of Prayer
- Video: Last Sunday's Service and Sermon
- Parish-wide Visits with Rev. Nathan
- There's Always More...
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Weekly Reflection:
On Morning Prayer
From Rev. Nathan Empsall, priest-in-charge
I missed everyone at St. PJ's last Sunday while in DC, and I will miss you again this weekend while I'm in New Hampshire. I've at least been around in the office this week, so it was good to see a few folks at Wednesday noonday prayer!
Unfortunately, I was unable to find supply clergy for either weekend -- even after asking 12 individual priests and a Facebook group! -- so we will have two Sundays in a row of Morning Prayer this month.
That's not what I hoped for, but it's also not necessarily a bad thing. Certainly, the Sacraments -- particularly Baptism and Communion -- are the beating heart of the Episcopal/Anglican profession of Christian faith. The Eucharist was begun by Jesus Christ himself, and the "words of Institution" within the Eucharistic Prayer likewise go back to Jesus, Paul, and second-century theologian Justin Martyr. Communion puts us in communion not only with God, but also with the earliest church, and with almost every Christian who ever lived.
And, Morning Prayer has its place too!
Ostensibly, the diocese limits half-time priests to three Sundays per month (even when there are five) for two reasons: To ensure that some of our hours are reserved for tasks other than Sunday planning, and -- I think more importantly -- to lift up the importance of lay leaders. My part-time nature becomes more visible if it includes Sundays, but so does the equal role of non-ordained persons in the ministry of the church, and the project of realizing God's dream for the world.
Beyond all that, Morning Prayer is also simply a beautiful service, full of prayers and canticles we don't necessarily hear at other times -- especially not on Sundays. There are many Episcopalians who pray the Daily Office in their private lives, or at least when going on a spiritual retreat, but rare is the church where the whole congregation gets to experience the songs of Isaiah, Moses, and Creation on a regular basis. And in its own way, that is a joyful and prayerful gift.
For a little more on the history of Morning Prayer, here is its entry in "An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church":
In many times and places, daybreak has been a time of prayer. Jews prayed in their synagogues at sunrise as well as at other times each day. This Jewish pattern of prayer formed the basis of the Christian monastic Daily Office, with its prayers or “hours” at seven times in each day. Thomas Cranmer’s revision of the Daily Office for the first English Prayer Book (1549) reduced the number of services to two-one for morning (Matins) and one for evening (Evensong or vespers). In the Second English Prayer Book (1552), the morning service was given its present name, Morning Prayer.
Many elements of Morning Prayer come from the monastic hours of matins (e.g., Venite and Te Deum), lauds (e.g., Benedicte, omnia opera Domini, a “chapter” of scripture, Benedictus Dominus Deus, collect of the day), and Prime (e.g., a second “chapter” of scripture and the Apostles’ Creed). Psalms were recited at every one of the offices, with the whole Psalter recited once a week. In the 1549 BCP, psalms were read at both Morning and Evening Prayer, with the whole Psalter read “in course” once each month. In subsequent Prayer Book revisions, psalms have come to be used more selectively, although a monthly cycle of psalms read “in course” is still provided as an option. In the 1549 Prayer Book, the very short monastic “chapters” were lengthened to full chapters of both the OT and NT at both Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer. In the 1979 BCP, only one lesson must be read, and the appointed lessons are not so long.
Morning Prayer once was the chief Sunday service in most Anglican churches on three out of four Sundays, the First Sunday usually being a celebration of Holy Communion. This practice has not continued because the eucharist has been recognized as the “principal act of Christian worship on the Lord’s Day” in most parishes (see BCP, p. 13), However, Morning Prayer is clearly designated as a daily service for the worship of the church. This usage reflects the ancient tradition of the Daily Office.
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Remembering Bishop Jeffery Rowthorn
I was sad to read of the passing of the Rt. Rev. Jeffery Rowthorn this week, former Bishop Suffragan of Connecticut and then Bishop of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe.
He and his late wife, Ann Rowthorn, were fixtures at Berkeley Divinity School's weekly Wednesday night Eucharist while I was in seminary, kind to and supportive of us all. I was also deeply appreciative of their longtime commitment to creation care and environmental causes, including in their hymn writing. (And, on a personal note, I can't help but feel connected to Bishop Rowthorn through our shared birthday!)
It is a blessing that he and Ann are together once more. May they both rest in peace and rise in glory. Here is yesterday's announcement from Bishops Jeff and Laura:
Dear Siblings in Christ,
We write to you today with the news of the Right Reverend Jeffery Rowthorn’s death, who entered into Eternal Life on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. Bishop Rowthorn served as Bishop Suffragan in the Episcopal Church in Connecticut from 1987-1993.
Bishop Rowthorn was born April 9, 1934, in Newport, Gwent, Wales. A graduate of Cambridge University, he received his Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in 1961. He was ordained to the diaconate in 1962 and to the priesthood in 1963 in the Diocese of Southwark of the Church in England.
After ordination, he held the Bishop Goddard Chair in Pastoral Theology at Yale and Berkeley Divinity School for 14 years. He was the first to hold this chair. He was also a founding faculty member of Yale Divinity School’s Institute for Sacred Music. From 1994-2001, he served as the last bishop of the Convocation to be elected by the House of Bishops to serve in Europe.
Bishop Rowthorn was an Advisory Board Member of Weavings: A Journal of the Christian Spiritual Life. He, along with his wife Anne, was a champion of environmental justice, together writing God's Good Earth: Praise and Prayer for Creation in 2018. He was also a prolific writer of hymns, his most well-known being “Lord, You Give the Great Commission.”
Bishop Rowthorn is remembered by many in Connecticut for his wisdom, humor, kindness, and grace. We are comforted in this time by the words of Bishop Rowthorn: "Lord, you bless with words assuring: 'I am with you to the end.' Faith and hope and love restoring, may we serve as you intend, and, amid the cares that claim us, hold in mind eternity."
The rite of the Burial of the Dead will be celebrated at Christ Church Cathedral in Hartford, CT, on August 9, 2025, at 11 AM.
Yours in Christ,
The Rt. Rev. Jeffrey W. Mello
Bishop Diocesan
The Rt. Rev. Laura J. Ahrens
Bishop Suffragan
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New Date: Hymn Sing and Ice Cream Social
Monday, September 8
After postponing for extreme heat (time for climate action...), we have a new date for the rescheduled Hymn Sing and Ice Cream Social: It will now be Monday, September 8, at 6:45 p.m. in the parish hall!
Mark your calendars now to gather around the piano under the pretty lights in the parish hall, fill our hearts with song, have a sweet treat, and just simply be together.
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Open Street Festivals, 7/27 + 8/3
A little community fun if you're looking for summer activities this or next weekend: Church Street between Elm and Chapel will be closed for the city of New Haven's "Open Street Festivals." From the city's announcement:
"Each Open Street Festival has been curated with a variety of events, activities, music, and food to engage people of all ages and include an open-air jazz café, bouncy houses for children, a bazaar, a basketball court, interactive community art projects, a picnic area, and stage with entertainment ranging from DJs to dance troops.
"Entertainment is free! Food trucks and vendors will also be onsite and will be offering items for purchase."
Read more from the Arts Council of Greater New Haven >>
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Come for Morning Prayer this Sunday, July 27, at 10:30 a.m. as we celebrate the seventh Sunday after Pentecost.
Lynne Severance will preach, and Marilyn Bergen will preside.
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Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m.
In person and online
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Wednesday Prayer 12:30 p.m.
In person
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Thursday Compline 8 p.m.
On Zoom
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Cycles of Prayer
In the cycle of prayer for the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, we pray this week for St. John’s, Salisbury; Trinity, Seymour; and Christ Church, Sharon, and for parish office volunteers, curates, seminary interns, parish assistants & associates, and for missional curacies.
In the global Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for The Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea.
ST. PJ'S PRAYER LIST:
Rachel, Doug Parker, Anne Matthies, Betty Hill, Tim Barnes, Calvin Griffin, Lenny Santarsiero, Rev. Walter MacNutt, Tom Caffelle, Kevin Gerbe, Leota Tucker, Edwina Johnson, Cynthia King, Paul D'Agostino, Richard Holcomb, Tiras Jaske, Uli Mackert, Steve Crowson, Charlie & Bridget Farrell, Alyce, Judi, Tom, Leslie, Andrew, Pam, Tommy, Beverly Lett, Vanetta Lloyd, Janea Barthle, Lydia Hamnquist, Kate Galambos, Rita Valenti- Piovane, Stephen Lett, Rev. Nihal de Lanerolle, Martin O’Brien
Birthdays: Janie Lange (7/29), Leota Tucker (8/1), Juhani Jaske (8/1)
Anniversaries: Nathan and Diana Empsall (7/23)
Faithful Departed: Bishop Jeffery Rowthorn (7/23), Debra Gilder (Mother to Milton) (07/14)
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VIDEO: Last Sunday's Service and Sermon
If you either missed or want to revisit last Sunday at St. PJ's, you can find the recorded livestream on our Facebook and/or YouTube pages.
Last week, Tudy Hill presided at Morning Prayer, and PhD candidate Sam Earnest preached his first St. PJ's sermon, on Mary + Martha and the cosmic nature of all things in Christ.
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Upcoming Visits with Rev. Nathan
As previously announced, I am now trying to meet with every St. PJ's member -- as families or individuals -- and get to know you and your dreams for our community life together.
I want to hear about who you are, what makes you tick, what you believe and love, your history at St. PJ's, and your hopes for this congregation's future. Through these meetings, I hope to get a better feel for who we are as a community -- and where the Spirit might be leading us!
Ideally this meeting would be at your home, where I can also offer a home blessing. If you prefer a coffee shop, your office, or a park bench on a nice day, those are fine options too -- anywhere but the church itself.
Because I am half-time, it will undoubtedly take several months to get through these visits. If you would like to meet sooner, please let me know. Otherwise, I'm going to use an Excel random-number generator to determine the order in which I'll reach out. But whether it's next week or in September, know that I can't wait!
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There's always more...
If you would like to submit an item for consideration in the eNews or bulletin announcements, please let Rev. Nathan know at revnathan@stpaulstjames.org by next Wednesday afternoon.
Please contact Monifa Atkinson in the church office at office@stpaulstjames.org or (203) 562-2143 if you are interested in receiving more information about any of the following:
- Renting space at St. PJ's for your next party, meeting, concert, wedding, or other event. More info at the St. PJ's website here >>
- Volunteering with St. PJ's
- Adding a name, birthday, or anniversary to the St. PJ's prayer list
- Arranging pastoral care needs
- Purchasing grocery-store gift cards to benefit St. PJ's
- Reserving a place in the St. PJ's columbarium or purchasing a plaque on the Memorial Wall
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St. PJ's Staff and Contacts
Administrative Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - Noon
Priest Office Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., and by appointment
office@stpaulstjames.org
(203) 562-2143
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Priest-in-Charge: The Rev. Nathan Empsall, revnathan@stpaulstjames.org
- Administrative Director: Monifa Atkinson
- Sexton: Sammy Rodriguez
- Children's Ministry: Molly Clayton
- Director of Music: Will Cleary
- Associate Director of Music: Dylan Rowland
- Tech and Music Intern: Dontae James
- Priest Associate: The Rev. Steve Crowson
- Vestry: Bill Evans (co-warden), Juhani Jaske (co-warden), David Hill (treasurer), Maggie King (clerk), Roni Holcomb, Steve Crowson, Maurice Harris, Pam Sayre, Vanetta Lloyd, Lynne Severance
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