In this week's edition of the eNews:

- A message from our ECCT bishops

- Wednesdays: Zoom Summer Bible Study on Matthew

- Last Call: Need your ideas for the front yard

- News from the Wider Church: The Episcopal Church laments anti-immigrant Supreme Court rulings, religion and space aliens, Pope Leo denounces war, religion at the World Cup, and more

- This Sunday at St. PJ's

• Cycles of Prayer
• Video: Last Sunday's Service and Sermon

- There's Always More...

A message from our ECCT bishops

June 24, 2026

Dear Siblings in Christ,

As parishes, communities, and towns across Connecticut prepare to observe the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we offer you these thoughts and reflections on this moment. 

There is much to celebrate on this occasion. The crafters of the Declaration of Independence had a dream of something new and something bold. For them, the moment was filled with expectation and possibility. 

The Declaration of Independence document, which formed the cornerstone for the building of the United States, declared, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all [men] are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” We celebrate that this declaration laid the foundation for the development of what has been called by some the American Dream and by others the great experiment of America. At the same time, we acknowledge that on July 4, 1776, many of the signers were enslavers, and that their vision of “all men” only saw the personhood of white men.

In the 250 years since, the limited vision of “all men” has greatly expanded. Religious communities have been a key part in broadening, and living into, this expanded vision. And yet, we are still aspiring to live fully as a beacon of hope, freedom, and justice. As the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., said in his speech at the March on Washington in 1963, “When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note, insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given us a bad check, a check which has come back marked ‘insufficient funds.’ But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation.” The Rev. Dr. King’s words did change things, did expand the vision—as did the marches, protests, advocacy, and work with legislators over decades. Things have changed, but still in 2026, we have further to go.

On the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the tension between the dream of freedom that launched this nation and the nightmare of injustice that far too many continue to live in daily feels especially acute. And in that tension, we remember that before we are Americans, we are followers of Jesus Christ. In 1776, our Church struggled with how to be faithful to the Gospel amid great political and social change. From July 23-25, 1776, a group of our Connecticut clergy gathered in New Haven, CT, to discuss their pastoral response to the Declaration of Independence. In the mid-1770s, Connecticut had at least 10,000 Episcopalians and 40 parishes. There was fear in that gathering; their Christian tradition was closely tied with the Church of England and Connecticut’s Loyalists. And the clergy wrestled with what they should do—should they close their church doors and stop their ministries, or should they keep their church doors open and continue to minister to the widows, the sick, and the poor in their communities? They decided to keep their church doors open. They decided they must still minister to the widows, the sick, and the poor in their communities. They decided that Scripture and the Book of Prayer should continue to be part of their witness, especially in a time of fear.

In 1776, Episcopalians in Connecticut wrestled with how to be faithful to the Gospel in the wake of civil disruption—and that is also our challenge and charge today. We are a people of Hope. Any observance of the 250th Anniversary of our country is a celebration of hope. It is the hope envisioned, not fully realized that we remember, celebrate, and dedicate ourselves to working toward

We commit ourselves to more fully living into the aspirational words that are in the founding American documents, with an expansive definition of who qualifies as deserving of full and equal rights. Even as we rightly celebrate this country, alongside the ways we mourn its shortcomings and harm, we situate ourselves first and foremost as Christians. 

As we mark this moment, may God give us courage enough to look clearly at the history of the United States, its shining moments and the ways we have not lived into the ideals we set before us. May we take this moment as an opportunity to be emboldened by our faith to work for a country where all are truly included in the promise of America. We invite you to look at our 250th anniversary resources on our ECCT website. We also invite you to join our churchwide "Vote Faithfully" networking calls. All these are tools that can help you discern what it means to live out the promise of the Gospel as an Episcopalian in the United States today.

To close, let us pray together: 

“Lord God Almighty, you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: Give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.”

A Collect for the Nation, BCP p. 258.

Yours in Christ,

The Rt. Rev. Jeffrey W. Mello

Bishop Diocesan

The Rt. Rev. Laura J. Ahrens

Bishop Suffragan

Wednesdays: Zoom Summer Bible Study on Matthew

Wednesdays this summer, the Rev. Lynne Severance is hosting a weekly summer Bible study on the Gospel According to St. Matthew, on Zoom.

Participants will watch a video from Yale Divinity School's former Dean Harry Attridge, and then engage in discussion. Contact Lynne for more information, including the Zoom link.

Last call:

Need your ideas for the front yard

As our undercroft-entrance renovations near completion (thank you Brian Fillmore!), it's time to think about what to do with our front yard. A little free library? Benches? Landscaping?

Please email your suggestions to frontyard@stpaulstjames.org, or put them in the suggestion box on the hallway-side table this Sunday.

News from the Wider Church: The Episcopal Church laments anti-immigrant Supreme Court rulings, religion and space aliens, Pope Leo denounces war, and more

- [ENS] Episcopal Church laments Supreme Court rulings backing Trump administration on immigration: https://episcopalnewsservice.org/2026/06/25/episcopal-church-laments-supreme-court-rulings-backing-trump-administration-on-immigration/

- [Christian Century] As Supreme Court clears way to deport Haitians and Syrians, faith leaders prepare for what's next: http://christiancentury.org/news/supreme-court-clears-way-deport-haitians-and-syrians-faith-leaders-prepare-what-s-next

- [ENS] Haitian immigrants revived a church, but fear of immigration agents now leaves pews empty: https://episcopalnewsservice.org/2026/06/25/haitian-immigrants-revived-a-church-but-fear-of-immigration-agents-now-leaves-pews-empty/

- [ENS] Congregation’s addiction recovery ministry builds relationships, fights stigma beyond the pews: https://episcopalnewsservice.org/2026/06/26/congregations-addiction-recovery-ministry-builds-relationships-fights-stigma-beyond-the-pews/

- [RNS] How LGBTQ-affirming churches are confronting religious trauma: https://religionnews.com/2026/06/27/how-lgbtq-affirming-churches-are-confronting-religious-trauma/

- [RNS] Religious groups are more prepared for aliens than you think: https://religionnews.com/2026/06/26/religious-groups-are-more-prepared-for-aliens-than-you-think/

- [RNS] From Christian prayer circles to sujood, religion is all over the 2026 World Cup: https://religionnews.com/2026/06/26/from-christian-prayer-circles-to-sujood-religion-is-all-over-the-2026-world-cup/

- [RNS] War is 'never blessed by God,' says Pope Leo in opening cardinals summit: https://religionnews.com/2026/06/26/war-is-never-blessed-by-god-says-pope-leo-in-opening-cardinals-summit/

Come 10:30 a.m. tomorrow, Sunday, June 28, for Jazz Eucharist and Coffee & Community to mark the fifth Sunday after Pentecost. Rev. Nathan will preach and celebrate.

Children's Sunday School is on summer break until September.

Serving this Sunday:

Sunday

10:30 a.m.

Jazz Service

In-person and online

Wednesday

12:30 p.m.



Quiet Communion

In-person only

Thursday

12:30 p.m.



Midday Prayers

In-person only

Cycles of Prayer and St. PJ's Prayer List

In the Episcopal Church in Connecticut cycle of prayer for June 28, we pray for St. Peter’s, Oxford; Christ Church, Oxford; St. John’s, Pine Meadow; summer chapels in New London, Norfolk, & Fenwick; summer & outdoor worship services; and for Vacation Bible Schools & parish- based summer camp programs.

In the Anglican Communion Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the Anglican Church of Southern Africa.

On the St. PJ's prayer list, we pray for Doug Parker, Calvin Griffin, the Rev. Walter MacNutt, Kevin Gerbe, Leota Tucker, Edwina Johnson, Cynthia King, Paul D'Agostino, Tiras Jaske, Uli Mackert and family, Charlie & Bridget Farrell, Alyce, Pam, Stephen Lett, Vanetta Lloyd, Marietta D'Albero, Marietta Coppola, Alexandra Sanseverino, Dr Milton Coke, Pam Yesner, the Rev. Carl Scovel, Karl Mini, Margaret Perry, Ryan Welch, Kyle Park, Fr. Tom, George Moore, A.J. Crosby, Adrienne Brady, Jeannie & Clemente Campos, Jean Douglas, Joan Capella, Joan Farrell, Sharyn Kessler, D.J. Multer, Michael Montenegro, Meryl Tate Triplett, Tom Olds, Dawn Magliulo, the Gilder Family, Carolyn Wigley, Wendy McLeod, Anne Cheney, Sandy Sanford, Judy Hopkins, Andrew Aiken, Shannon, Cotton Burlingame, Richard Holcomb, Deacon Felix Rivera, Marie Blake, and Jane D'Arista

Birthdays: Bill Evans (6/30), Christian Henry (7/01)

VIDEO: Last Sunday's Service and Sermon

Last week was the fourth Sunday after Pentecost. Rev. Nathan celebrated the Eucharist and preached on Hagar and Juneteenth.

If you either missed or want to revisit last Sunday or other recent Sundays at St. PJ's, you can find the recorded livestream on our Facebook and/or YouTube pages.

Jazz, Justice, and Jesus: Urgent Needs for St. PJ's Ministry and Community

Church finances are urgently tight and getting tighter. Our budget is in the red, there is essentially no cash on hand, and expenses have already been cut.

There are questions each month about whether certain bills will be paid.

To help ensure that St. PJ's can continue to:

• offer robust worship with unique and spiritually grounded jazz
• physically support the work of Loaves & Fishes and Sunrise Cafe
• speak out for justice in Jesus's name
• gear up for a full year of Christian adult formation
• and more

Please spread the word about our available event and office rental facilities and consider making an extra donation if you can.

There's always more...

Please remember that there is a blue Lost & Found bin in the church office.

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

St. PJ's Staff and Contacts

Administrative Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - Noon

Priest Office Hours: Tuesday - Thursday by appointment

office@stpaulstjames.org

(203) 562-2143

• Priest-in-Charge: The Rev. Nathan Empsall, revnathan@stpaulstjames.org, (203) 278-9199
• Administrative Director: Monifa Atkinson, office@stpaulstjames.org
• Sexton: Sammy Rodriguez
• Children's Sunday School: Sarah Hill
• Interim Director of Music: Dylan Rowland
• Tech and Music Intern: Dontae James
• Vestry: Bill Evans (co-warden), Juhani Jaske (co-warden), David Hill (treasurer), Maggie King (clerk), Maurice Harris, Pam Sayre, Vanetta Lloyd, Lynne Severance, David Boyer, Roni Holcomb