St. Stephen's Weekly Touchstone
 
May 24, 2011
 
The Week Leading up to The Sixth Sunday of Easter

Thought of the Week

Where you stand means a lot about what you see.  We happen to stand on this side of Easter and so we can start to see examples of Resurrection in the world around us.  For instance, places not long ago covered by snow now bring forth blooming flowers.   Where you literally stand also affects your perspective.  It is for that reason that I invite you to come and stand in a lot of different places at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine on June 4th as we take the vertical tour.  I was talking to one of our Wardens, Jerry Brown,  this week and he said that while I have been calling our cathedral the largest gothic cathedral in the western hemisphere he thought it was the largest in the world.  After a brief moment of exploration online (thank you google), I found that he was right!  It IS the largest in the world!  Just knowing that alone changes my perspective.  There is a certain wow factor there.  There is an even bigger wow factor when you walk into the cathedral and look up, something almost anyone can do.  I invite you to do something not everyone gets to do, experience the wow factor when you look down, or across, or simply look at the beautiful windows up close.  Here is a taste of what I'm talking about:

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/05/01/nyregion/20110501_guastavino.html?scp=1&sq=guastavino&st=cse  (click on the tab that says "Cathedral of St. John the Divine")

I hope you can come and see.  Come change your perspective as we have a private guided tour on June 4th, I'm certain you will say wow!

See you in church!

Fr. Josh

 


Picture of the Week
Steeple through trees
Steeple in Blossom
Photo by Fr. Josh

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church

Schedule of Concluding Year-end Events

 

Saturday June 4th: Vertical Tour of St. John The Divine. 

All are welcome. St. Stephen's has arranged for a private/guided Vertical Tour of the Cathedral.  Below is a description of the tour....

 

 

Climb more than 124 feet through spiral staircases to the top of the world's largest cathedral. Get a close look at the magnificent stained glass windows and study the grand architecture of the nave while standing on a buttress. The tour culminates on the roof with a wonderful view of the Morningside Heights area of Manhattan.

 

 

All participants must be 12 years of age or older.  We will be meeting here at St. Stephen's at 8:20am and we expect to return by 1pm.  Bring money for a light lunch.  Please RSVP to [email protected].

 

Sunday June 12th: Choral Evensong at 5:00 pm. 

Evensong, a sung version of Evening Prayer, is a magnificent act of worship in our tradition dating back to the 16th century.  Join us as the beautiful music and prayers invite us to step more deeply into the presence of God.  There is no Sunday School in the morning.  Child care will be provided for Evensong.

 

 

Friday June 17th, End of the Year Pool Party.

We are blessed to again be gathering at the home of Tina and Jack Wolf for fellowship, dinner and a swim.  Festivities will begin at 6pm. RSVP to Laura Johnson at [email protected].  A life guard will be provided.

 

 

Sunday June 19th:  Sunday School Celebration.

 

Our Sunday school year will culminate with the recognition of our Sunday school teachers, Sunday school students and graduating acolytes.

 

Saturday June 25th.

 

We begin gathering on the lawn after our 5:30 Saturday evening service for refreshments.  There is a sign-up sheet in the Parish Hall to host.

 

 

Sunday, June 26th:  Family Service moves to 9:30 am for the summer.

 

If you wish to provide refreshments, "Iced Tea on the Lawn" there is a sign up sheet is in the Parish Hall.


Weekly Announcements
 

Adult Education

Our Adult Education series focusing on different sermons by well known liturgical preachers concerning Easter continues this Sunday with a sermon by Peter Gomes, the former head of the religion department at Harvard.  Please join us Sunday mornings at 9:00 in the Bethany Room for these fun and informative discussions. 

 

Wednesday Services

Please join us on Wednesdays at Noon for a simple service of Holy Eucharist.  We will no longer be having lunch and Bible Study afterwards, but instead will have a chance to gather for a short midweek respite.

 


Weekly Readings 
 
Our first reading of the week will be Acts 17:22-31
See the reading here:      http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=173252884 

Our  Gospel reading of the week will be John 14:15-21
See the reading here:  http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=173252951

 

Sunday Servers

Ushers: TBA

Acolyte:  Kyle Ramsey

Chalicist:  Howard Davies

Reader:  Ruth Clausen

Altar Guild:  Annlee Milani

Flower Guild: Gail Sarfati

Coffee Hour: Condon


For any questions or needs, you may contact Father Josh Condon; office - 914-273-3812, Rectory - 914-273-4570, cell - 917-753-1997, or by e-mail: [email protected].