It was seven days after 9/11. All airlines had been stopped and businesses had shut down, which meant there was an earie quiet, broken by the sound of F15 fighters who kept up a regular patrol around the capital region. The clergy of Washington DC were gathered at the National Cathedral and addressed by the Bishop of the Armed Forces about how we could best support our congregations in that craziest of times. I clearly remember him telling us that it was far too early to try to analyze things or look at root causes or otherwise try to figure things out and that the most important thing was to be with people where they were, to listen to their fear, their anger, and their grief, just be there with them and pray. I remember his saying that it wasn’t time yet. For this group of type A clergy used to being out in front on issues, these were hard words to hear. We, however, got the message, kept our prophetic voices low, and went pastoral and patriotic instead. A year later, when people walked out of my church after a relatively innocuous sermon, I realized it wasn’t time yet then either.
My offense was saying that “If we want God to bless America, America needs to bless God” and then talking about how to do that by working for justice, peace, and love. My challenge was to prove the terrorists wrong – to show them that the image of self-absorbed, avaricious people they saw on TV was a caricature and that we were actually a people who lived out our faith by loving our neighbor, caring for the poor, celebrating diversity, seeing ourselves as part of a global community, and sharing our gifts and resources to serve in the common good.
|
|
I still believe those things are true. I am well aware, however, that the clouds of dust raised on 9/11 created a shadow of fear which for a long time has eclipsed the better angels of our nature and stopped the world and ourselves from seeing who we really are.
Now, 20 years later, chastened by a clumsy end to the war in Afghanistan, humbled by new understandings of our own history of racism, sexism, and colonialism, and confronted by daily reminders of a climate change for which we have done too little to prepare, we may have finally come to the time for real reflection to begin. Perhaps we have reached a point of asking who we are and who and what we want to become. Perhaps it’s finally time to ask what it would look like, not just if God blessed America, but if America truly blessed God.
|
|
Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of 9/11 |
|
Ringing of the Cathedral Bell
Saturday is the 20th anniversary of 9/11.
St. Luke's will remember those who died that day with the ringing of the tower bells at 8:46 am.
|
|
Observance of the 20th Anniversary of September 11, 2001 at Trinity Church, Wall Street in New York City
Join Trinity Church online for worship and other offerings throughout the September 11 weekend. From Friday through Sunday evening, St. Paul’s Chapel in Lower Manhattan will be open to all as a place to pray, mourn, or simply sit with your memories. And all are welcome to participate in our digital exhibit Stories of 9/11 by sharing audio remembrances.
The Most Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, will preach at the Requiem Holy Eucharist service at Trinity Church on 11:15am on Sunday, September 12, which will be live-streamed at trinitywallstreet.org and Trinity’s
|
|
|
Join us for Homecoming Sunday!! |
|
7:30 Holy Eucharist (in person)
10:00 Sunday School via Zoom
10:00 Holy Eucharist (in person)
Welcome back Cathedral Choir!
Lemonade Hour in the Cloister
5:15 Holy Eucharist (in person)
Diocesan Service
Created by the Climate Justice Council!
Sunday morning:
National Cathedral worship on line at 11:15
Bulletins for all services are here.
|
|
|
Children and Youth
Childcare: In consultation with the Cathedral and diocesan medical advisor, we have decided to begin providing childcare during the 10 am service, beginning in early October. With an expected fall COVID surge, we want to be certain we can safely open our nursery. Childcare is for babies to preschoolers.
Sunday School for K-4 begins on September 12th. We will start virtually via Zoom and tentatively plan to go hybrid (virtual and in person) in early October depending on the pandemic status. The link for Sunday school is here. The program includes a Godly Play story, a craft (which is sent home ahead of time) and worship time.
There will be a separate Sunday school program for 5th and 6th graders depending on interest. If you have a child in this age range who wishes to participate, please contact Sarah Dowling.
St. Luke’s participates in a collaborative Youth Group which also includes: HopeGateway, State Street, Williston Immanuel, and Woodfords churches. This group is for 7th-12th graders. The Youth Group typically meets twice a month on Sunday afternoons. This collaborative is currently searching for a new leader. Updated information will be made available as we get it.
The Youth of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine will be meeting the third Monday of each month from 7-8:30 pm starting September 21, 2021. Youth grades 6-12 are welcome to join as we check-in and get to know one another and Christ. Please join using this link. FMI contact The Reverend Canon Sara D’Angio-White, Canon for Youth Ministry at [email protected].
Adults
Sacred Ground is a facilitated ten session study group on race and racism. It is a sensitive, prayerful resource that creates space for difficult but respectful and transformative dialogue. Each session has videos and written material for the participants to use to dialogue with each other. There will be an introductory meeting via Zoom on Thursday September 30, and Session One will meet on October 14. The link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86191272654 As there is limited enrollment, please contact Sarah Dowling prior to the introductory meeting here.
Funeral Planning: Have you thought about planning your funeral, but don’t know where to start? There will be an information and planning meeting for anyone who is interested in doing funeral planning. Cathedral Clergy will be on hand to help you organize your own funeral. Albert Melton will be there to help you consider music, and the Rev. Ted Gaiser, a priest and financial advisor, will also attend to present how financial planning can be helpful in this area, and to answer questions that you have. In addition, Priscilla Webster will provide information on the Columbarium. This group will meet on October 16, in the Upper Parish Hall from 9 am - 12pm.
To register, please email Eleanor Prior here.
A Newcomer’s group will begin on September 19th at 9 am in the Resource Room on the Sunday School hallway. This group will be led by Cathedral clergy. If you are new to the Episcopal Church, to St. Luke’s, or just would like a refresher, you are most welcome. Bob Hanson will be teaching a study group on “Our Hebrew Lord and Our Hebrew heritage: Our Lord's influences and accomplishments.” He describes the focus of this group as our Hebrew inheritance, our Jewish traditions, and the two “testaments” which are God’s recurring gifts to us each day. To accept this overwhelming gift from a loving and redeeming Father, in the face of our own admissions of unworthiness and spiritual fatigue, faces us with a favorite polemic of the Jews, ie, “yes, I am unworthy, but not so much so that I can refuse your generosity.” Judaism and Christianity are about one thing. Yes, one life-enhancing commitment: living vitally. For the Jew and the Christian the life lived within God’s grasp is a life lived- on every level- to the fullest. Jesus’ message was not one of caution, fear, withdrawal, or even piety. For two thousand years the Jews have demonstrated the vital life lived in God’s grasp. The Christian life model is the Jew, the Lord Jesus, giving his enormous insights, and his earthly strengths, to living fully, to giving fully, to forgiving fully. This study group will search the scriptures for new insights, pray iyh Jewish zeal, and experience God’s presence in the newly revived encounter with God’s ancient children. This group will begin after church on Sunday, October 3. Please contact Bob Hanson here.
|
|
More Fall Programs & Activities |
|
Monday & Wednesday, led by Tom and Emma Flinn, Tuesday & Thursday, led by Jon Radtke
Friday, led by Ray Davis Murdoch Curry
Contemplative Prayer -We meet via Zoom at 4:30 pm on Thursdays. Click here to join us.
Rossini Club Concerts begin on September 19 at 3:00 pm.
|
|
Taizé returns on Wednesday, October 13 (Please note new date). We meet on the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, gathering at 5:30 pm with the service at 5:45 pm. World Too Beautiful is set to return this fall as well - more information to come.
Choral Evensong returns Sunday, November 7 at 4:00 pm .
Stay tuned for so many more offerings !
|
|
Windows on offer from the historic Deanery |
|
Windows!
Our neighbor at the deanery, Dan St. Peter has removed all of the windows at the deanery and installed new ones. He is offering the old ones to us Lukans. They will be outside his house on Sunday after church. Most have the glass removed, some have glass in them. There are also some doors.
|
|
|
Newcomer's Class begins September 19:
In-person, 9am on Sunday mornings
|
|
Is There Anything on your Mind? How’s that for a working title for a new group to start on Wednesday September 22 at 10 am? If you are interested, please show up in the upstairs Parish Hall to meet and decide on a focus for this group. We could discuss how everyone is doing, spirituality, grieving… come with your ideas and we will decide as a group. The Rev. Eleanor Prior will facilitate this group.
|
|
Outreach focus for September
St. Elizabeth's Pantry - Meet a St E's Volunteer
|
|
Adult Winter Coat Drive for St. Elizabeth's begins! |
|
Questions? Please contact Martha Parshley here.
(Donations can be left in the lower vestibule at 134 Park Street or contact us if you prefer to have your donation picked up.)
|
|
Colder temps are around the corner. Many of our neighbors come from warmer climates and are not prepared for Maine’s fall and winter temperatures. Let’s help them feel welcome.
* Do you, or someone you know, have an extra winter coat, no longer being used?
* Could you purchase a used winter coat from Goodwill, the Freeport Community Services Thrift Shop, or a consignment store?
* Would you consider purchasing a winter coat from Walmart, Sam's Club, or another store?
* Perhaps make a donation for the purchase of a coat?
Large and extra large sizes for both men and women are most needed.
All coats must be clean and in good condition.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
