In this week’s news…
- The Rector’s Message
- This Week’s Services
- Adult Education
- Sunday’s Virtual Coffee Hour
- Children and Families’ Zoom Gatherings
- Evening Prayer and Meditation
The Rector’s Message
Dear Friends,
What a week it has been. I have had so many conversations with parishioners who are concerned and worried. Now is the time for Christians of all traditions to be united, to rise above party politics, continue to protest against injustice, and to seek reconciliation through prayer and acts of charity. One of the great gifts of Saint Thomas Church to the city of New York is to be an oasis of prayer. That is why my heart hangs heavy when I walk past and see our Fifth Avenue doors closed to the public. Many of you have been praying the prayer for the human family from our Prayer Book.
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
I believe that, as a Christian Community, we are united in that prayer at the moment. I hear how many of you have used these extraordinary times to explore new forms of praying and praying with others.
Some, of course, will say that there should be more radical forms of engagement with the injustices of racism and violence. One of the great marks of a democracy is the ability to protest and to demonstrate peacefully. Many of you, including faith leaders across the nation, were troubled by the scenes of a peaceful demonstration being cleared with the use of smoke canisters and pepper balls a few days ago. My response to that is to pray harder and to listen, as Sr. Promise has urged, with ‘an open ear and an open heart.’ Regardless of how you choose to express your feelings recent events, all of us should remain united in prayer. The COVID-19 Pandemic has not gone away and I also pray that the right to protest does not, unwittingly, create a second surge of this disease. So, we continue to pray for those who are ill, and for those on the front-line – our brave members of the medical services.
During these extraordinary times, I turn to Paul’s letter to the Galatians: “As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.“ (3:27-28)
That hope will lead some to join protesters on our streets and others to stay at home, but all of us are one in Christ Jesus.
Pamela Lewis, our Head Lector and a member of the Vestry, has written an article for the Living Church. You can find this article on its web-based publication Covenant if you click here. In it, Pamela talks about ‘restorative justice’ which is more than just words or even policy change; it brings depth to the concept of justice – the kind of depth we find in the preaching of the prophets; in the protest psalms; and exemplified in the life of Jesus Christ who stretched out his arms of love for us on the Cross.
I end with a quotation that I will be using in my sermon on Trinity Sunday:
“What has felt like an unending season of injustice and anger can be rendered finite only if it is followed by restorative justice, which is eternal, and without which reconciliation and true community is impossible. Because it is informed by and deeply imbedded in the Gospel, whose unchanging message asserts that humanity is made in the image of God, restorative justice differs in significant ways from criminal justice.”
Let us seek that kind of justice which will truly bring St. Paul’s teaching to life.
Affectionately,
This Week’s Services at St. Thomas Church
The Solemn Eucharist for Trinity Sunday
Shrine Prayers (Intercessions) and Mass
- Monday, June 8 – Saturday, June 13 (except Thursday)
- Audio Livecast at Noon
Evening Prayer and Meditation
The Solemn Eucharist for the Feast of Corpus Christi
Sunday, June 14
Video Webcast available at 8am and then on demand.
Adult Education at Saint Thomas Church
Theology Class
Sunday, June 7, 10:00-11:00am
A study class on the English and Greek texts of
Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians
RSVP here.
Friday Online Bible Study
Friday, June 12, 1:30-2:30pm
A study on the Gospel of John with Fr. Bennett.
For more information about these activities, all on the Zoom platform, please contact Fr. Cheng for the first two classes, and Fr. Bennett for the Friday Bible Study.
“Virtual” Coffee Hour, June 7 at 12:30pm
We will continued hosting our “Virtual Coffee Hour” via Zoom. This meeting will start well after the webcast of the service on Sunday, June 7 at 12:30pm and will last no longer than an hour.
It will start with a short prayer and will continue with checking in and conversation. We will include a time for Breakout Rooms, which will allow for smaller groups to talk together. The hour will be moderated by Fr. Moretz.
Please click here to learn more about Zoom, an extraordinary tool for communication and community.
Children and Families’ “Sunday Zoom!” Gathering
Our Young Teens group FAITH ALIVE meets on a weekly basis and will meet again on Sunday, June 7, at 9:30am.
Our Nursery and Sunday School families meet for their regular weekly Sunday Zoom! this Sunday, June 7, at 10:15am.
If you know a child or family that would like to participate, in any of these gatherings, please email Mother Turner for the required invitation codes.
As we discover new ways of being a church community during in this new chapter of our lives, we are circulating an additional weekly newsletter for families Be Faithful, Be Creative and Be Connected.
If you know a family who wishes to be added to the distribution list for children and families, please also contact Mother Turner.
Evening Prayer and Meditation
Thursdays at 6:30pm via Zoom
Saint Thomas Church has begun a regular 6:30pm Thursday service of Evening Prayer and Meditation that you can join online, led by Fr. Adam Spencer, Associate for Pastoral Care, and Sr. Promise Atelon, Deacon and Seminarian. This service will take place over the Zoom platform.
Please join us for this time of peace and prayer together.
For log-in access to these worship services, please contact Fr. Spencer.
