The Rector's Message for the Week of July 5, 2020

Rector Turner
The Reverend Canon Carl Turner

Dear Friends,

In the four days since the survey was released, we have had 224 responses so far and many of them from couples and families; thank you!

As we suspected, less than half of those responding indicated that they intended to return to Sunday worship in-person in the coming weeks (100 responses said yes and 124 said no). More importantly, 87.5% of you said that you would be willing to pre-register on-line in order to attend a Sunday service in-person (196 responses said yes, and 28 responses said no).

I was also delighted that we have also had 102 personal comments left on the survey. Almost all of them have been positive and encouraging about what we have been trying to do during the COVID-19 pandemic and we also have some very helpful suggestions. One or two of comments were concerned about contact-tracing as a matter of principle. My colleagues and I are very heartened to receive your comments and your generous remarks; thank you. This has been a trying time for your clergy, lay leaders, and staff. We still have a long way to go. This week, the Choir School Committee heard various plans that are being put together to meet the various scenarios that the school might be facing in September.

If you have not yet participated in our simple survey, you can do so by clicking the button here:

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One of my daughters called me today. “The virus is coming back!” she said, and I had to gently remind her that the virus had never gone away! To that end, the Bishop of New York has issued some directions concerning the celebration of the Eucharist going forward. Keeping everyone safe is going to be very important. Our plans are nearly complete, and we are grateful to our friends at Trinity Wall Street who are helping us. Father Moretz will be releasing more information in the coming weeks. At this time, it is our hope that the Church will be open for private prayer and weekday masses with a congregation from July 13th.

However, the Church remains hot and stuffy as the work on the air conditioning plant continues. (The process was delayed due to the discontinuance of the issuance of work permits by NYC Department of Buildings during the pandemic related closures.) Current medical advice states that having good ventilation is crucial for groups gathering together. Although we are blessed with a spacious sanctuary, nevertheless, until we can turn on our ventilation system, we will be unable to have large gatherings on a Sunday.

I went for a walk in the Park the other day with Bertie and found several police cars guarding the statue of Christopher Columbus near the Mall. The statue has two rows of fencing to protect it from potential vandalism. It reminded me of the 500th anniversary celebrations of Columbus ‘discovering’ Central and South America, and the Caribbean in 1992. I placed the word discovering in inverted commas because, of course, we were all reminded at the time that although it was a discovery for the King of Spain, for indigenous peoples it was actually a conquest.

The destruction of ancient civilizations and the use of genocide is a shocking part of world history, and if you have ever visited some of the ancient ruins of Central or South America, or visited the islands where whole races were massacred while Europeans fought over the ownership of land that was never theirs in the first place, you cannot help but be moved.

The current debate over imagery and symbolism in nations and places of worship continues. Pamela Lewis continues her series of articles with one on this very subject this week in The Living Church, titled ‘The Color of the Godhead’.

In the Pilgrims’ Course, one of my favorite sessions is exploring who Jesus really is. As we delve into the mystery of the incarnation, we look at how Jesus has been depicted by artists over the centuries. I invite members of the class to send in their own example of what has inspired them and we now have quite a large number. As suspected, in addition to exquisite Renaissance paintings and powerful contemporary abstract works, there are a great number that portray Jesus in different ethnicities.


The Hopi Madonna by Father John Giuliani

Let me end by sharing with you two paintings by the artist Fr. John Giuliani, who is a part of a contemplative monastic community. He has studied the culture of Native American tribes and attempts to share the Gospel through shared experience. The Episcopal Church has a long history of working with Native Americans and in the late 19th century, the Prayer Book and the hymnal were translated into the Dakota language for use among the the Dakota tribes of the Sioux People. Fr. John’s art is not only expressive, but deeply resonates with the scriptures. For example, his Lakota Annunciation reveals most powerfully the overshadowing of Mary by the Holy Spirit depicted, not as a small dove, but as a great American Eagle with huge outstretched wings.

The Compassionate Christ by Father John Giuliani

Here is Hopi Madonna and Child and The Compassionate Christ. Perhaps in your own home, or maybe tucked inside your bible or prayer book, you also have images of Jesus that are precious to you.
Alison joins me in wishing you all a very happy Fourth of July weekend. May God bless America.

Affectionately,

Carl,
Your Priest and Pastor

Carl Turner, Rector