eNews

May 13, 2022

From the Dean & Rector

Beloved,

I finally had the opportunity, this week, to set aside time to watch and listen to the May 1 panel on South Africa coordinated by Deacon Stan at which Bishop Shannon, Canon Walter, The Rev. Lyn Burns, and Rebecca Flewelling spoke of their experiences in South Africa. While each of their experiences was different - one was born there, one experienced it on a family trip, one stayed for a time there, and one went there a few times on business - the overall experiences and understanding of the magnitude of both the poverty and the racism were similar.

Lyn's experience growing up in South Africa (you can watch the panel here), and then leaving South Africa, reminds us that one cannot always see the problem that has always been right in front of you. Because it's always been there, it's easy to stop seeing it and to get used to walking around it, and keeping it out of your life. But that is not the way to change and healing. The way to change and healing is to see that thing that has always been right in front of you. To touch it. To look at it. To sit with it. To befriend it (in that it is part of you). And to remake it and you to be closer to the image of God which is present in all of Creation.

I remember being asked, when we began the weekly anti-racism vigils, just how long were we going to be standing out here on Sunday afternoons. I replied something like, until we don't have to anymore. We are not there. We are not close to there. We have much work to do, each of us, on the problem right in front of us, but first we need to see it.

This fall, we will launch our first Sacred Ground Circle here at the Cathedral. This is an eleven part series in which 12 people participate to read, watch, talk, and learn about the toxic effects of racism on every single one of us, and to begin or continue the inner work of seeing, touching, looking, sitting, befriending, and remaking. The Circle will meet on Wednesday evenings (in-person), approximately twice per month from September - January. Stay tuned for more information but, for now, please take a look at this website to determine if this is something you would like to participate in, to be part of the change we need in ourselves and in this world.

Beloved, you are beautiful. I love you and God adores you.

Greta+

Cathedral Church of St. Paul News & Events

Thank You

Thanks to your generosity, the Cathedral donated over $650 to the Vermont Racial Justice Alliance from last Sunday's collection.

Thank you to members of the St. Paul's Youth Group who presented on their trip to Pine Ridge Reservation last Sunday in church.

Thanks to all who participated in our 100th Vigil and Silent Witness last Sunday!

This Sunday in the Adult Forum: Disability Rights

This Sunday, join Jubilee Justice Committee member Justin Salisbury for a conversation about disability rights, the history of the eugenics movement in Vermont, and an important new bill being introduced in our state legislature that would prohibit using a person’s disability as a reason to deny or restrict the rights of a parent, prospective parent, foster parent, or guardian unless doing so is in the best interests of the child.

We’ll meet in the Commons Room between the 9:00 and 11:00 services on Sunday, May 15. All are welcome.

Justice Speaks: Lesser Feasts and Fasts

Did you know that the Episcopal Church in the United States honors influential people in its history every day of the year with its Calendar of Saints?

The Church publishes a list of Lesser Feasts and Fasts, which often support the daily liturgies of the church. Our Church leadership and members of the Jubilee Justice Committee will incorporate information about two of the saints honored in May as part of our Social Justice Month activities. Frances Perkins is honored on May 15 and Thurgood Marshall is honored on May 17th. This Sunday we will share information on these secular and spiritual leaders with hopes that celebrating their efforts can inspire us to continue their unfinished work.

For the source of this information and the entire year’s Calendar of Saints, please see:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calendar_of_saints_(Episcopal_Church)

May is Social Justice Month at St. Paul's

Social Justice Ingathering is This Sunday

Throughout the month of May, the Cathedral is offering a number of events highlighting our social justice outreach efforts. In addition to hosting forums and discussion panels, these efforts will include our annual Social Justice Outreach Ingathering this Sunday, May 15.

One of the signs of spring at the Cathedral is our annual Social Justice Outreach Ingathering, when we focus our fundraising efforts on local organizations that address hands-on support for members of our community, as well as those targeting systemic change in our community and state. Social justice fundraising is a form of support and power-building, not just a way to finance an organization's work, and raising money is an important part of the work of organizing, educating and advocating for human services.

Our fundraising goal for this year is $5000.

To donate, you can drop a check in the offering plate on Sunday with "ingathering" on the memo line, or online using the link here, and select "Social Outreach" so that your donation is applied appropriately. Please give generously!

Events in May:

May 15: Join us in the Commons Room between services for a conversation about disability rights with Justin Salisbury from the St. Paul's Jubilee Justice Outreach Group.
May 15: Social Justice Ingathering
May 22: Cathedral Square Sunday. The Cathedral will donate 100% of the collection plate to Cathedral Square

Cathedral Arts Presents Vermont Symphony Chorus' Gloria

On Friday, May 20, the Vermont Symphony Chorus returns in full song with Gloria, John Rutter’s splendid three-movement piece for chorus, brass and organ featuring organist Mark Howe and VSO’s brass and percussion musicians. Written by Rutter in 1974, the Latin text of Gloria is based on the Ordinary of the Mass and, according to Rutter, is a “centuries-old challenge to the composer: exalted, devotional and jubilant by turns.” The remainder of this one-hour concert features brass ensemble, choral and organ works highlighting the vibrancy and range of the musical voice.

Program

Adam Gorb…A Little Tango Music
Tielman Susato…Four Dances, arr. Masahiro Shiraiwa
Frank Ticheli…Belle from Cajun Folk Songs
John David…You Are the New Day
James Mullholland…A Red, Red Rose
David Brunner…I Dream a World
Moses Hogan…Abide with Me
Robert Harris…Canticle: The Hungry Angels
J.S. Bach…Toccata in C Major
John Rutter…Gloria

Friday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul

Tickets: General seating single tickets are $15. Tickets can be purchased using the link here.

COVID-19: Audiences are required to show proof of vaccination and ID upon entering venues. In addition, all audiences will be required to wear KN95 (or similar) masks for the entire period they are in the performance venues. VSO will provide KN95 masks to any audience member who needs it at no cost.

Ascension Day is Thursday, May 26

The Feast of the Ascension is the fortieth day of Easter, and always falls on a Thursday. The Ascension marks the conclusion of Jesus' post-resurrection appearances. It is the final elevation of his human nature to divine glory and the near presence of God.

At St. Paul's, we will celebrate this principal feast in person at the Cathedral at 6:00 p.m. Parking will be free for those attending the service, as always.

We hope you will join us.

Cathedral Arts Presents Ravel Compared

Join us for a concert celebrating the formal release of Elaine Greenfield’s new double disc CD, Ravel Compared. In addition to performing selected pieces from the recording, Elaine will share insights into her eight-year project, and discuss Ravel.

The CD features 80 minutes of Ravel piano works on two contrasting pianos. The 1893 Erard piano on disc one, displays the sound we can imagine Ravel heard. The Ivers and Pond grand, on the second disc, reveals the same music with a modern 20th century sound, in contrast.

Friday, May 27 at 7:00 p.m. at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul.

Tickets cost $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and students, and will be available at the door or online. Seating will be limited.

All admission proceeds will be donated to the Vermont Food Bank.

Recordings will available for purchase at the concert

Upcoming Schedule Changes at St. Paul's

Please make a note of the following schedule changes, coming up at St. Paul's:

Sunday, May 22 will be our last two-service Sunday for this program year. It will also be the last day for Church School.
Thursday, May 26 is Ascension Day. All are welcome to join us as we celebrate the Holy Eucharist at the Cathedral at 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 28 at 5:00 p.m., we will celebrate the Holy Eucharist in the Nave.
Sunday, May 29, worship has been cancelled due to road closures for the Vermont City Marathon.
Sunday, May 29 the Vigil and Silent Witness in response to racism will continue! If you would like to join us at 1:00 p.m. and are able to get downtown, we welcome your participation.
Sunday, June 5 begins our single-service schedule for the summer with one Eucharist at 10:00 a.m. This will also be the last day to enjoy the Cathedral choirs for this program year.

Did You Miss Last Sunday's SPY Reflections?

Click here to read the thoughtful reflections of our St. Paul's Youth group who attended the service trip to the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota in April.

Thanks to the kids for their thoughts, to the chaperones for their planning and execution, and to everyone who donated to make this trip possible.

Have You Seen our Newest Welcome Banner?

Thanks to the hard work of the talented Bee Amerson, St. Paul's has a new welcome banner hanging downstairs in the Parish Hall.

Take a moment to check their work the next time you're downstairs, and thank you, Bee!

In Person Coffee Hour Resumes Weekly

The Welcome Ministry would like to continue to offer coffee hour downstairs in the Parish hall after both the 9:00 and the 11:00 services. We hope you will join us for a quick cup of coffee, or, if you have the time, a longer conversation with old friends and new ones. Coffee hour will continue throughout the summer, so feel free to join us after the 10:00 a.m. Eucharist if you can!

We are always seeking volunteers to contribute a snack, to make coffee, or to help set up or clean up. You can volunteer using our online signup here, or let a member of the welcome ministry know.

As long as we can safely do so, it is our plan to continue this important ministry, to welcome newcomers, and stay in touch with everyone who is a part of the St. Paul's family. To learn more, please get in touch with a member of the Welcome Ministry

Penny Pillsbury, Chairperson, Welcome Ministry

Children's Corner

Church school is meeting as usual at 10:00 a.m. this Sunday. The last day of Church School for this program year will be Sunday, May 22.

Click here to view or download The Sunday Paper for the fifth Sunday of Easter. The Sunday Paper is a weekly publication for children that includes Scriptural images, and stories that relate the Gospel to the Old Testament, the life of the church, and their own lives.

All children aged four to 11 are welcome to join us for Church School, which takes place downstairs in the Parish Hall between the 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services. If you are planning to participate or have any questions, please email Katie Gonyaw, our Children's Formation Coordinator.

Did you know? We also have a vibrant youth group - SPY - or St. Paul's Youth Group - available for kids in grades 6 - 12 that meets regularly. If you have questions or would like more information, speak to Marti Churchill, or email the Cathedral office at [email protected].

Weekly Silent Witness and Prayerful Vigil in Response to Racism

The Cathedral's weekly Silent Witness and Prayerful Vigil continues this Sunday, May 15, at 1:00 p.m., in response to racism in our nation, state, and community.

In the event of really bad weather, we will send out a notification by Facebook (please use your own discretion). Please, if you can, bring a non-perishable food item - a volunteer will deliver all the donations gathered at the vigil to the Food Shelf. If you have a sign you would like to hold, bring it! This event is open to the community.

Mid-Week Eucharist with the Sacrament of Healing

All are welcome to join us for a service of Holy Eucharist with the sacrament of healing weekly on Thursdays at 12:15 p.m. in the Chapel, led by the Rev. Sally Webster.

This quiet, simple service follows the usual order for Holy Eucharist, and is open to all, in addition to those who desire prayers for healing.

Generous God, we give you thanks for your beloved Jesus Christ,

in whom you have shared the beauty and pain of human life. Look with compassion

upon all for whom we pray, and strengthen us to be your instruments of healing in the world,

by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Join Us For Worship

Join us this Sunday, May 15 as we celebrate the Holy Eucharist at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. in person. Our 11:00 a.m. service will be live streamed on the Cathedral's YouTube channel for those who would like to join us virtually.

Please see the schedule above or visit the Cathedral website for other Holy Week worship at St. Paul's.

You can view or download the order of worship for the 11:00 Eucharist on our website.

Other Regular Services

All are welcome to join us for our weekday services:

Morning Prayer, Monday - Friday at 8:30 a.m. on Zoom.

In person Tuesday - Friday at 8:30 a.m.

Compline, Sundays and Wednesdays at 9:00 p.m. on Zoom.

For Our Prayers This Week

We pray for blessings and joy for those who celebrate birthdays this week: Molly Comeau, Deborah Altemus, Alan Rubin, David Blake.

Let us name before God those for whom we offer our prayers: Antonia; The Rev. Bob Leopold; Lindsey Fay; The Anthony Family in Moscow, Russia; Nancy Bishop; Marie Cole; Kim Martin; Helene; Rob S.; Jay Vos; Martha Ladue; Karin Davis; Karen Lewis; Sandy Nicholson; Maria E. Righter; Cole; Nancy Johnson; Ella Baskett; Mary Magot; Michael Hill; Jean Erno; Chuck; Jackie; Michael Fernandez; Lillian Robinson; Emily Harwood; Peter Adams; Elizabeth Webster; Pat Barra; Margot (Lisa Schnell's sister); David Glendinning; Debbie Altemus; Vaughn Altemus; Marion Montross; Naomi Hodgett; Helen McGrath; and Mary Carter. For all those suffering from COVID-19 in our country or around the world, and especially those from our own faith family who have loved ones at risk or are themselves at risk. For those who have died from COVID-19 and for the grief of those who loved them. For Ukraine and those fleeing its borders and for the people of Russia.

We pray for the repose of the souls of those who have died: Stewart McHenry

We pray for those who are in the discernment process: Kenzo An; and for our seminarians, Bram Kranichfeld and Susan McMillan.

Quote of the Week

"“Hear me as a woman.

Have me as your sister.

On purpled battlefield breaking day,

So I might say our victory is just beginning,

See me as change,

Say I am movement,

That I am the year,

and I am the era

of the women.”

--Amanda Gorman

Lessons for May 15: The Fifth Sunday of Easter

Sunday's Collect

Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Community News & Events

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