Juneteenth

This Sunday, June 15, we are marking two things: Juneteenth, and Trinity Sunday. The official Juneteenth Day is Thursday, June 19, so we are observing it here at the Cathedral on Sunday. While it may seem as though there is little or no connection between Juneteenth and Trinity Sunday, I believe there is. I believe that the concept of Trinity, Creator, Son, and Holy Spirit, is a statement of unity in diversity, and also one of equity between the three parts of God, resulting in one dynamic and inclusive God, with – I would add – No One left out. 

Juneteenth, considered the oldest African American holiday, is celebrated on the day – June 19, 1865 - that federal troops marched in Galveston, TX, to take control to ensure that enslaved people were provided the freedom that the Emancipation Proclamation had promised on January 1, 1863. The enslaved people in Texas were not set free until federal troops marched in to enforce that proclamation almost two years later. (Quite a different story, I would add, from the use of federal troops in Los Angeles last week.)

Most of us know that after emancipation – delayed two years in Texas – many of the rights of formerly enslaved people were negated by Jim Crow laws enacted to keep formerly enslaved people from voting, owning property, sharing in equal education, etc. I was struck with this portion from St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans appointed for Trinity Sunday: And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

I encourage all of us to embrace the Holy Trinity AND understand the power and promise of Juneteenth, even though the recently freed people were stripped of their rights to equity and dignity – and are still suffering – it is a day of hope. Hope, the antidote to despair. Those who have heard my sermons over the years know that I start each sermon with this invocation: In the name of God the Creator, God the Beloved, and God the Eternal Spirit of all love. I hope that all who hear this understand that it is one way that I invoke the Trinity – the “Beloved” is Christ Jesus, and “the eternal Spirit of all Love,” is the Holy Spirit.

So, as we celebrate Juneteenth this Sunday and also embrace the Trinity, remember this chain of words, especially poignant in these challenging times, particularly for people of color, immigrants, LGBTQIA+ people, the elderly, the poor, and women. That chain of words is: suffering => endurance => character => hope => God’s love poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit! Do not despair, steadfastly persist, and embrace hope!

Chair Moving this Saturday

Please join Property Steward Adam Skiff this Saturday at the Cathedral at 9:30 a.m. to move the chairs in the Nave into their summer configuration. This is a "many hands make light work" situation, and should not take more than an hour (and it's kind of satisfying when all done and nicely aligned!).

We hope to see you there. Parking passes will be available for participants that need one.

Juneteenth Silent Witness and Prayer Vigil

We are now approaching the 249th Sunday of vigil, witness and prayer against racism. This Sunday will be the Sunday closest to Juneteenth, a day that we should recognize as one step forward for freedom, when the enslaved African Americans of Texas finally learned of the Emancipation Proclamation, on June 19, 1865.

Our vigil began on June 7, 2020 when our community gathered by the dozens to silently witness in response to the murder of George Floyd. That event revealed, yet again, the insidious and systemic racism in this country and our criminal justice system. 

We have continued to witness nearly every Sunday. It is a simple ministry. We randomly spread out along Battery and Pearl Streets at noon. Our tattered signs have different messages: prayers for love and prayers against racism. At 22 minutes, we kneel (as we are able) for about nine minutes. This is the length of time it took for the life to be taken from Mr. Floyd as a man knelt on his neck. And at 12:30, we depart. No speeches or homework. It is simply a time for witness and prayer. 

Individuals from other faith congregations, Cathedral Square, and the community join us every week. We are there, rain or shine or wind. Once or twice, we’ve cut it to 15 minutes on a below zero winter day.

Responses somehow feel more positive now although we know there is no large movement on the broad societal problem of racism. We still get a dose of outraged anger now and then, but we ignore this. Each Sunday, we see and hear dozens of honks and waves of appreciation and approval. You can hear it in the honk! 

When will this ministry end? The more we can publicly acknowledge the insidious existence of this problem, the sooner we might actually see the arch of history bend towards equality and justice for our sisters and brothers of color. Please join us. We have signs to share. Come exactly as you are. 

Register Now for Diocesan Juneteenth Event: Traces of the Trade Screening and Discussion

On June 16 at 6:30 p.m., join the Diocesan Racial Justice and Healing Committee for a virtual film screening and discussion of the 2008 film Traces of the Trade. This event will be held on Zoom and registration is required.

Traces of the Trade follows the descendants of the DeWolf family, the largest slave traders in U.S. history, as they retrace the steps of the Triangle Trade and confront their family legacy. The DeWolfs were based in Rhode Island, and DeWolf Ave. in Bristol is still named for them.

Following the screening, members of the Racial Justice and Healing Committee will lead small group discussions about the film and participants can engage racial justice and reconciliation. 

To participate, register online.

CVOEO to Present at St. Paul's

On Sunday, June 29 Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity (CVOEO) representative Jason Rouse will be here after worship to discuss some of the fantastic and life-changing work they do in the community. 

CVOEO addresses fundamental issues of economic, social, racial, and environmental justice and works with people to achieve economic independence.

Please join us during coffee hour to learn more. 

Ray Suarez to Preach at St. Paul's July 20

St. Paul's is pleased to welcome author, radio host, podcaster, and journalist Ray Suarez to preach at the Cathedral on Sunday, July 20 at the 10 a.m. worship service.

Following the service, Mr. Suarez will speak about his experiences that went into his latest book on the modern era of American immigration, We Are Home: Becoming American in the 21st Century. As a veteran journalist and interviewer, he has criss-crossed the country to speak to new Americans from all corners of the globe, and to record their stories. This portrait of our newest citizens is full of their own, compelling voices. It’s a story as old as the country, yet each new wave of arrivals tells that classic story in new and crucially important ways.

Until the end of 2024 Ray was host of the public radio program and podcast On Shifting Ground. He is also the author of Latino Americans: The 500-Year Legacy That Shaped a Nation, The Holy Vote: The Politics of Faith in America, and The Old Neighborhood: What We Lost in the Great Suburban Migration.

He has been a visiting professor of Political Science at NYU Shanghai, and the John McCloy Visiting Professor of American Studies at Amherst College. He is a graduate of New York University and the University of Chicago.

Earlier in his career, Suarez was the host of the daily news program Inside Story from Al Jazeera America, Chief National Correspondent for The PBS NewsHour, and the host of Talk of the Nation from NPR. His recent podcast productions include two seasons of Going for Broke, produced with the Economic Hardship Reporting Project, and The Things I Thought About When My Body Was Trying to Kill Me, from Evergreen Podcasts, about cancer, treatment and recovery. 

Suarez’ journalism has been recognized with two DuPont-Columbia Awards, an Overseas Press Club Award, the Ruben Salazar Award from UNIDOS-US, and UCLA’s Public Policy Leadership Award for his reporting on urban America, among others.

St. Paul's Social Justice Ingathering

One of the signs of summer 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.

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 enter your donation on the "Social Outreach" line so that your donation is applied appropriately.

There will be an ingathering on Sunday, July 27. To learn more about social justice outreach activities at the Cathedral, reach out to Deacons Stan Baker or Susan McMillan. Thank you for your generosity.

Missing Something?

The lost and found at St. Paul's has accumulated quite a few nice water bottles, glasses, and winter hats.

These items will be kept on the shelf behind the reception desk in the office space for the next two weeks, then donated.

If you recognize one of these things as yours but can't get here before then, just let the office know and we'll hang onto it for you.

Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe Responds to Trump Immigration Policies

Members of the Diocese of Los Angeles Detained

Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe has issued a letter titled Acting Faithfully in Troubled Times responding to the Trump administration's policies on migration and immigration. 

He writes, "we are finding ways to respond as Christians to what we see happening around us. We are exploring options to support litigation challenging the travel ban on the ground of religious freedom; advocating for federal spending that safeguards the welfare of the most vulnerable; caring for immigrants and refugees in our congregations and communities; and standing in solidarity with other faith groups. In short, we are practicing institutional resistance rooted not in partisan allegiance, but in Christian conviction." 

Read his full letter.

Presiding Bishop Rowe's letter follows an article from Episcopal News Service reporting that fourteen members of the Diocese of Los Angeles were detained during the federal immigration raid conducted by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on June 6.

The six diocesan Episcopal bishops in the state of California responded in a shared letter on June 10 writing:

"Our Baptismal Covenant asks us, 'Will you strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being (BCP p. 417)?' This question is a direct and ongoing call to us as persons who follow Christ to live out our calling opposed to injustice, to violence of any kind, and to stand up where human beings are not treated as we would treat a child of God. This question needs to be foremost in our thoughts as we consider our response to the situation in Los Angeles." Read the full letter.

In our diocesan household, we have committed ourselves to "standing with the marginalized so that we may transform systems for racial justice and work toward the radical inclusion of all." Presently, our Task Force on Becoming a Sanctuary Diocese is working on a resolution to bring to the 2025 Diocesan Convention. Contact the Rev. Canon Lee Crawford to learn more.

Image: Bishop John H. Taylor gives the closing prayer at a June 10 interfaith vigil, source: Facebook

Vermont Lawmakers to Vote on PFAS Legislation

Our legislators have worked hard this year to craft and pass H.238 to phase out PFAS, forever chemicals, from many products produced, used and sold in Vermont. The PFAS are contaminating soil, water, fish, and our bodies.  

H.238 is now on the Governor’s desk waiting for him to sign it. This consumer protection bill contains a provision for lawsuits by the State or consumers in case of injury and has strong support in the Legislature.

For more info on PFAS, click the link here.

Sylvia Knight