Welcoming everyone to walk through our doors on the journey to Christ
Pentecost

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

~Psalms 51: 19-12
Worship at St. David's Services:

Sunday Services have returned to Indoor Worship at 8am and 10am

Attendance will be limited to 46 people
Reservations required

8:00am Cick Here
10:00am Click Here

Masks required
Social distancing required

Enter through office side entrance
Exit through front door


Will also be live-streamed.

https://www.facebook.com/StDavids

 
Please see link below on left of page


St. David's Episcopal Church
Waiting in the dark

The season of Advent begins this year on November 29, the season of waiting and preparation for the Incarnation. For us in the northern hemisphere, it is the season of short days and long nights, so readings about bringing oil for our lamps make a certain kind of sense as we get ready for Advent.

This year, we will return to virtual worship beginning the First Sunday of Advent. The bishop and clergy met this past Tuesday, and reached the decision that, given the rising numbers of COVID cases, prudence dictates that we suspend in-person worship. We will worship together in-person this coming Sunday (November 22) and then not again until some time in the new year.

This Advent, we will be waiting and preparing for the Incarnation in truly tangible ways. Christmas will seem very odd, not gathering for music and worship in the Church. The celebration of the Incarnation will sneak up on us just as the Incarnation itself took the world by surprise at Jesus’ birth, attended only by than animals in the stalls.

This, of course, means that we will be fasting again from the eucharist, but I hope to take the opportunity of this fast to help us think through exactly what the eucharist means for us. With the advent (pun intended) of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, eucharist became the primary form of worship on Sundays in most Episcopal parishes. Many lamented that this frequency of celebration made the eucharist seem ‘common’ and people didn’t take the time to prepare for it.

There is some justice in that argument, but I think it turns our focus in the wrong direction. Even now, with the eucharist every Sunday, most Episcopalians tend to think of the eucharist in terms of communion. When we are not worshipping together, we miss receiving the bread and wine. I want to argue that receiving bread and wine may not be the primary focus of the eucharist (although celebrations without communion also do not make sense). I believe the focus of the eucharist is our offering to God: our offering of ourselves, and of the bread and wine that represent the created order and human effort.

But even more important is our offering of praise. Ancient Christianity taught that “God became human in order that humans might become divine.” God had created the cosmos as an outpouring of divine life and love. The praise of creation returned that gift to God, and it was this ongoing flow of self-gift and return that kept the world in existence. When humans sinned by taking creation for their own uses, the divine dance was interrupted. The cosmos began to decay; death enter the picture.

To prevent the dissolution of the world, God became human in order to render back the divine self-gift. The Incarnation made possible the restoration of our nature, so that we might participate in that self-gift. It is our praise in the eucharist, our gift of self and the created order and human labor, according to this strand of ancient Christian teaching, that keeps the world in existence.

But, we have to train our vision to see the divine energies at work in the world, so that we can offer our praise for God’s creative work. This process of training our vision, of learning to see the divine energies at work in everything and everyone was called “theosis” or in translation, “divinization.” Baptism gives us new eyes to see the divine in everything, and the eucharist is how we train our vision.

Advent, particularly an Advent without in-person worship, will give us the opportunity to train our vision to see the divine energies at work. My sermons during Advent will focus (again, pun intended) on how we can begin to see those divine energies, and how our return of them to God is our way of participating in the Incarnation. When we return to in-person worship, we will know we are entering the divine dance of self-gift.

St. David’s Court

The Vestry serves as the board for St. David’s Court Apartments, subsidized by HUD and managed by Christopher Communities. Every year, a resident in the apartments does a basic needs and food drive for residents in the apartments. She sent a list of items she is collecting, if we would like to participate. She is asking for the following:

Ivory bar soap
Toilet paper
Kleenex
Paper towels
Laundry detergent pods
Canned tuna fish
Canned foods
Dish detergent
Peanut butter
Microwave popcorn
Stamps and envelopes

We will collect items here, and drop them off with Monica at the apartments on December 8th.


As infection rates rise in our region, Bishop DeDe Duncan-Probe has announced updates to the diocesan COVID-19 response.

Indoor in-person gatherings will be suspended beginning Sunday, November 29, 2020 and continuing through at least January 1, 2021.
Please visit cnyepiscopal.org/covid-19 to watch the Bishop's video message and view updated diocesan guidelines


Bishop DeDe latest COVID update: Click here


December 4th at 2:00

As the winter season looms before us we are asking you to sign up to give the gift of life at our next American Red Cross Blood Drive, December 4th from 2:00pm – 7:00pm.

Winter is a vital time of need for blood. It is when our supply is very taxed and this year it is especially vital.

Tell all your friends and family, you may save a life. Special procedures and precautions are in place so it is very safe to give blood as always. Everyone who donates will receive a T-Shirt from the American Red Cross. Please spread the word, Thanks!
Here is the direct link to sign-up:


 
As a 'thank you', donors who come to give blood Nov 15-Dec 15 will be automatically entered for a chance to win an Outdoor Living Experience, powered by Propane!* Prize includes a propane powered pizza oven, fire pit, outdoor heater and stipend towards propane.


November 22, 2020

Last Sunday after Pentecost

Services 8am and
10 am

Live stream service also available at 10 am


See link below


To get The Book of Common Prayer:


Contact St. David's

 
Contact information for, Parish Office
St. David's Episcopal Church-14 Jamar Drive DeWitt, NY 13214
(315)446-2112
Office hours Monday -Thursdays 9:00am-12:00pm or by appointment


Email:

Website:


Dan's Blog:  


St. Davids Dewitt:


CNY Episcopal Diocese:


Episcopal Church:

Keep in your prayers:

Dick Fields
Sue Fields
Debbie Menter
Judy McCumber
Debbie Menter
Marilyn Cleary
Susan Meyer
Roberta Heirath
Josh Echols
Maureen Kimber
Frank Beadel
Isabella Songco
Daniel Healey
Warren Bickerton
Hall Orcutt
Frank Cinque
James McDermott
Françoise Boulanger
Renate Seel
Lois Shaffer
Rose Demagio
Tim Orcutt
Yvonne Shaw
Diana Smith
Judy Finlayson
Colleen Bain 
Miggs Coleman
Lisa Smith
Msr. Robert Yeazal

Everyone is invited to participate in bringing our newsletter to life. If you have an opinion, article, idea, event, organization or any other relevant topic of interest, please let us know. This is everyone's newsletter, we welcome your participation.

Email either Kristen, Dan, or Cherie if there is something you would like to see posted.
Prayer List

We are trying to be sure that our prayer list is as updated as possible and certainly don't want to remove someone that should be on it. If you know of someone who should be removed please let the office know. Thank you.



Pray Always; Don’t Lose Heart

Daily Office Readings for Friday, November 20, 2020:

AM Psalm 102;

In the story of the widow and the unjust judge, we are reminded to pray always and not lose heart. That’s been a bit hard to do in 2020, hasn’t it?

The response of the judge is unexpected. When any of us have been in a situation where justice has not prevailed, there’s a point where we all feel as though we have been spinning our wheels and we wonder why we are still pursuing whatever is troubling us. There’s a point where we even ask ourselves why we bother.

In the widow’s case, she literally has nowhere to go. Widows have zero status in the Palestine of Jesus. The fact that Jesus used her as the object of his story must have felt odd to his listeners.

But, as the saying goes, “Nevertheless she persisted.” In some ways, she was lucky. Justice prevailed in her lifetime. I’m not sure all justice prevails in a single lifetime–in fact, I’m convinced that in most arenas where justice is sorely lacking, we will go to our graves waiting to see it come to fruition...

Continue Reading: Click Here
Written by Rev. Maria Evans

Virtual Bible Study

Tuesday, November 24th at 7:00pm


Please join us Tuesdays at 7pm. Our normal Bible Study continues this week by virtual meeting because of the limitations the Covid-19 virus has put on all of us.

A zoom link with be emailed to anyone who has expressed an interest.

Join by Zoom:

Meeting ID: 393 321 833



Please email the Church Office to request a Zoom invitation to our weekly Bible Study, which resumes next Tuesday at 7 pm.


Stewardship
11/19/20

For me, the most attractive part of worshiping at St. David’s has always been the music. I came to St. David’s in 1979 to be a part of the music program and, for thirty years, I viewed Sunday morning services from the choir loft while singing anthems, hymns and responses with my fellow choir members. St. David’s has traditionally been a parish which honored and revered the arts, both visual and performing, and has honored the arts as an expression of God’s perfection, ordering the sights and sounds of the world around us in a way that gives nobility to the world around us. We sing hymns robustly and take pride in the music that graces our services. Much has changed in the forty years since I became a part of St. David’s,and the music reflects the changes in the world around us. Many Churches have abandoned their choir programs and deemphasized music as a part of their worship service. Thankfully, for me, St. Davi’d’s has not done so. During the recent pandemic, I have been much inspired by the music I have heard from St. David’s talented musicians and proud of what their music has added to our worship. We have moved from singing major Mozart and Haydn masses to solo pieces and more free-form musical offerings. Soon, when this pandemic is over and we are able to have a choir again, we will be hearing more formal anthems and will once again be able to sing our beloved hymns, but I hope we never abandon the music we have come to love while we have worshiped remotely or in a brief, cautious return to worshiping in the sanctuary. All of our music makes us proud to be members of St. David’s Church, and all of it helps us to know and appreciate the perfection of God.
Jim Shults

 
 

Pastoral Care:

* If you or a family member is sick or in the hospital.
* You are planning a meeting or scheduling an event so it can be placed on the church calendar.
* A baby is expected in your family.
* You want to arrange a baptism, affirmation of baptism, wedding or house blessing.
* When a family member has died.
* Your telephone, email or address is changed or if you are planning to move locally or out of town.
* You feel the church can help you in any way.



codFISH

(Community of DeWitt Friends in Service Here)
Is a volunteer transport service to medical and dental appointments at no cost for residents of the Town of DeWitt. For more information please visit our website  

Altar Guild

If you'd like to have flowers on the altar in memory of a loved one or to celebrate a special occasion please contact the office (315-446-2112).

Plants at St. David's

Our plants at St. David's are on a set watering and feeding schedule. The flower guild asks that ONLY guild members attend the plants.
Birthdays and Anniversaries
11/22-11/28
 
Birthdays

Laura Hannett-Smith
James Parke


No Anniversaries


Departed

Mary Moran, Friend of Denise Mako (1)

Corinne Farnham, Parishioner (2)

Mary Lou Crowley, Parishioner (4)


Lay Participants This Week

MC ~ Carol Murphy

Lector ~ Tina Kopp

Cleaner ~ Donna Miller

Altar Guild ~ Susan Parry
Office Hours

Rector In Office

M,TH 9-2

Parish Office

M-Th 9-1
(Office Physically open Mondays )






Samaritan Update


The Samaritan Center can our help in other ways:

Donations are needed to service for our Samaritan Center clients
……$100 seems to be the average
……Any amount would be accepted
·       …… Pre-packaged cookies are needed and can be dropped off at the church while Kristen is there

The Samaritan Center is also in need of these items:

  • Prepackaged cookies
  • To go containers
  • Plastic forks & spoons
  • Bottled water
  • Bottled juices
  • Sandwiches or any kind on any bread
  • And the "bad" plastic bags if anyone cares to give them up 
Please contact Linda Williams email: lindaverniwiliiams@gmail.com, 315-637-6952

If you are dropping off something to be picked up please contact Linda ahead of time so she knows wheter to stop to pick up items.

Thank you for all you have done so far. Please be safe yourselves.

St. David's Court



Here are some of the items needed for the End of the Year Drive at St, David's Court. Please have them in by December 8th

Ivory bar soap
Toilet paper
Kleenex
Paper towels
Laundry detergent pods
Canned tuna fish
Canned foods
Dish detergent
Peanut butter
Microwave popcorn
Stamps and envelopes

Thanks so much for your continued support!
COVID-19

Return to Virtual Worship:

As the infection rates continue to rise in our region and around the US, Bishop DeDe Duncan-Probe has announced updates to the Diocesan COVID-19 response for all parishes.

These new guidelines go into effect on Sunday, November 29, 2020. We expect to follow these guidelines through at least January 1, 2021; they may be modified prior to that date.
Please visit the diocesan COVID-19 resource hub at cnyepiscopal.org/covid-19 to:
Key elements of the updated COVID-19 guidelines include:
  • We will no longer be using "steps" or "phases" but will follow a unified response plan that will be updated, as necessary. We will continue to notify parish leaders of updates by email and in clergy and wardens' meetings. 
  • Indoor in-person gatherings are suspended.
  • Live-streaming and recording worship from within the church is permitted.
  • Outdoor and “drive-in” gatherings, with Holy Eucharist, are permitted.
  • Essential community outreach ministries continue.
Services at St. David’s will return to a Virtual format on our Facebook Page (Facebook/StDavids) every Sunday at 10am, with a Virtual Coffee Hour to follow around 10:45am on Zoom.

We are still in need readers and special music. Please contact Pastor Dan or Nick Fields if you’re interested in reading or providing special music.

It’s important to remember your fellow parishioners in your prayers during this difficult period of time. Thank you for keeping our communities safe, and for responding with creativity and love in this difficult time. May God continue to be with us as we learn to love God, one another, and all God has created.

November 23 ~ Vestry

November 25 ~ No Office Hours

November 26 ~ Thanksgiving -No Office Hours
Good Morning Everyone, 

We're putting together a virtual coffee hour as part of our Sunday Services. Can you please send me either individual pictures of yourselves or you and your spouse if applicable, Click Here to send the pictures to my my email for St. David's projects.

Thanks

David Burgess
(315) 875-3572
November 22, 2020


Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24

Thus says the Lord God: I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. As shepherds seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited parts of the land. I will feed them with good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel shall be their pasture; there they shall lie down in good grazing land, and they shall feed on rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord God. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice.

Therefore, thus says the Lord God to them: I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. Because you pushed with flank and shoulder, and butted at all the weak animals with your horns until you scattered them far and wide, I will save my flock, and they shall no longer be ravaged; and I will judge between sheep and sheep.

I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them; I, the Lord, have spoken.

Ephesians 1:15-23

I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Matthew 25:31-46

Jesus said, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”