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 Episcopal
Basics Forum: Exploring Our Tradition
Today, Sunday, May 4, Licia
Affer will offer another in a series of classes on the basics of the
Episcopal and Anglican Church and tradition. Today’s topic will be
Church History and Anglicans:
Part III.
This series is appropriate for
those considering Confirmation or membership in the church or those who
are struggling to answer their children’s questions or their own
questions. Come to the Gray Lounge following the 10am service.
The Spirit of God Rests upon Me…
If you are interested in exploring Confirmation (and official
membership) in the Episcopal Church, the Episcopal Basics Forum plus a
few extra meetings will prepare you for the May 10 Confirmation
at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Speak to the Rev. Kate Flexer
if you are interested.
Baptism Preparation Classes
Classes will begin soon in preparation for the May 11 Pentecost
Baptisms. Contact the Rev. Kate Flexer if you are interested in being
baptized or in having your child baptized. Classes will be scheduled
based upon the group’s availability.
What Does “Gospel” Mean?
Discover the answer to this and many other questions
with Fr. Brandt through a series of interactive evening discussions on
the Gospels, Wednesday, May 7, through Wednesday, July 30, totaling 12
sessions (3 sessions per Gospel, no session on May 28). Each evening
program will commence at 7:00 pm. Save these dates and join in the
discussion!
Social Concerns Group
Join St. Michael’s Social Concerns Group at its 7:30
Wednesday evening meetings. Show us your creative side and assist in
planning future events. Movie night? Family Day? Outreach to
Homebound? Whatever your idea(s), stop by and share. We need you!
Union of Black Episcopalians
UBE is marking 40 years of black ministry
in the Episcopal Church. The annual conference is June 30-July 3
in nearby Philadelphia and promises to be a worthwhile
event. Early bird registration is valid until the end of April, with
scholarships available. The flyer with registration details is posted
on the bulletin board in the Parish House, or speak to the Rev. Kate
Flexer for more information.
Save the Date!
This summer St. Michael’s will offer Vacation Bible School:
”Rainforest Adventure” from August 18-22, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm
daily. We invite 3 year olds through those completing the 6th
grade. Look for upcoming details and registration information. If you
wish to be involved in or can volunteer for the program, please talk to
the Rev. Kate Flexer.
Summer? Incarnation Camp?
Spring got you thinking about warmer weather? Incarnation Camp is a
perfect place to spend some of those summer days. Brochures and DVDs
are available at the Parish House reception desk for those interested.
The Rev. Peter Larem will here Sunday, March 30, to talk
about the coming camp season.
2008 Pledges: Where We Stand So Far
As Looking Ahead goes to press this week, we have received a
total of 100 pledges for 2008, totaling $233,635.
Thank you to all who have made a monetary pledge to support the life and
work of St. Michael’s Church. If you have not yet done so, it is not too
late to step up to the “plate.” Pledge cards – if you did not receive
one or cannot find the one you got – can be obtained at the back of the
church or at the Parish House reception desk. If you would prefer to
have your pledge card mailed to you, please contact Parish Administrator
Galina Koubassova (212-222-2700; or galina@saintmichaelschurch.org.).
Get that warm, fuzzy feeling during these cold winter days; make your
pledge!
Compline
On Wednesday evenings, after the fellowship of Bistro
and other events of the day, there is an opportunity to experience
something tranquil, haunting, and deeply reverent – Compline. In the
monastic cycle of prayers, Compline is the final prayers of the day
before retiring. The half-hour service is participatory with simple
monophonic chant sung in alternatum between the congregation and the
choir. Amidst the chants are great choral works written specifically
for the closing of the day. Come experience a sole point of calm in the
middle of a hectic week, a deep sense of peace, and time standing
still. Come experience Compline.
Intersection
St. Michael's Sunday evening
Intersection service began in Lent of 2006. It was designed to
provide an alternative form of worship, one that follows the layout of
our Episcopal liturgy but with a more informal, flexible feel. It has a
contemplative aspect to it, but also includes several opportunities for
sharing our questions, our stories, our doubts, and our faith. It's
also the perfect bridge between the end of the weekend and the beginning
of the workweek. At Intersection, we consciously place ourselves in the
crossroads between our faith life and our daily life, seeking where God
is in our week.
Because it is informal and casual, and because all the parts of the
liturgy are explained as we go along, Intersection is a great way to
introduce friends, neighbors, and family to our wonderful community.
Many voices make up the community. Like Jesus did, Intersection invites
all of us: Come as you are.
Explore an open approach to Christian faith with a diverse group of
people. We meet at 6 p.m. Sundays in the chancel of St. Michael's
for a service of prayer, scripture reflection, and communion, followed
by refreshments and conversation. Come and see! Invite your friends to
do the same. We hope to see you there.
In real estate circles, the old adage is “Location, location, location.”
In these days of global warming and environmental awareness, it’s
“Recycle,
recycle, recycle.” And so you will find in
the back of the church—no doubt influenced by Thomas “Fats” Waller’s
1942 wartime tune Get Some Cash for Your Trash—a brightly colored
Planet Green “Cash for Trash” box asking you to deposit your used
and unwanted inkjet, laser cartridges and cell phones. The church
receives a small donation for each item and these items won’t end up in
a landfill somewhere. Please be sure to turn off your phone first,
unless it knows this week’s hymns.
Since Lent of 2006, a small band of folks have been
gathering in the church every Wednesday morning at 7 am (yes, you read
that correctly) to examine where they have seen God at work in their
lives over the past week. The discussion that follows the opening prayer
can range from the philosophical to the practical and back again before
a psalm is read at 7:25 and a closing prayer at 7:30. Some people stay
for Morning Prayer & Holy Communion at 7:45, some head out to
work and we wouldn’t be surprised if some go right back home for a
little more shut-eye. But regardless of where one goes afterward,
everyone leaves more reflective, centered and positive than the way he
or she came in, having experienced
God in Our Midst.
Won’t you join them? More info: contact
Allen Thomas
Is there a receptionist in the house?
The smiling face and pleasant voice at our reception desk, a.k.a. Office
Assistant Anson Hedges, will be away from his usual post on August 28
and 29 and we need someone to fill his shoes for those two days to
answer the phone, take the mail, greet and direct visitors and generally
be the face of St. Michael’s in his absence. If you can help, please
contact Anson at 212-222-2700, ext. 10, or
anson@saintmichaelschurch.org. Thank you!
Can you spare a few hours to welcome
daytime visitors? Volunteers are needed to be at the church door on
Amsterdam Avenue from 11 am to 2 pm during the week when we open our
doors for those seeking a place to reflect, meditate, pray or simply sit
in the grandeur that is St. Michael’s. Be the face of St. Michael’s for
frequent visitors and newcomers alike. Please contact Office Assistant
Anson Hedges at anson@saintmichaelschurch.org or 212-222-2700, ext. 10.
Tour Guides Needed!
Volunteers are needed to conduct tours of the church following the
Sunday 10am service. Marianna Klaiman will be giving an
orientation to the history of St. Michael’s Church, including its
magnificent stained-glass windows and ecclesiastical accessories. If you
are interested, call Margaret Cotterell at 212-864-2971.
As we continue to update the Parish Directory, we would like to
include your picture! To do so, please submit a digital photograph to
galina@saintmichaelschurch.org. If you don't have a digital camera,
please contact Office Assistant Anson Hedges
anson@saintmichaelschurch.org
who will arrange a time for you to have your picture taken here at the
church. Conversely, if you do not wish to have your picture included,
please let us know that as well.
St. Michael’s Playgroup. Thursday morning from 10 am to 11 am at St.
Michael’s for children 4 years old and under. Our goal is to bring
together parents of young children to create friendships for themselves
and their children, with music, stories, fun, games, etc. Pre-registration is required and space is limited to eight children. For
more information, or to join, please contact Yasmin Searles at
212-665-1185 or
Nadineluna@aol.com.
Acolytes Needed
– If you want a front row seat for our Sunday morning worship services
this is the perfect ministry for you. Youth and (especially) Adult
acolytes are needed. Please contact
Peter Ennis if
you are interested or have questions about this ministry.
Greeters
– Continue the tradition of our welcoming parish by signing
up to be a Greeter at anyone of our Sunday services. Greeters fill
the role of ushers but more importantly help people to feel welcome at
St. Michael’s. Please contact
the Rector if you are interested or
have questions about this ministry.
Food Basket
Please join others at St. Michael’s in support of the Food Pantry at Holy Name
Church by donating non-perishable food items. Collection baskets are placed in
the back of the church.
Sacrament Light
The Blessed Sacrament is now reserved on the High Altar with a vigil light
signifying its presence. This light is a seven-day white candle. You are invited
to donate the candle for a week as a memorial or thanksgiving. To do so, please
contact Pete Peterson. The suggested donation for the candle for one week is a
minimum gift of $25.
St. Michael’s T-Shirts
Now Available
St. Michael’s T-Shirts
are available in green and blue. Cost is $10 each. Contact Galina Koubassova at
galina@saintmichaelschurch.org for more details.
Young People’s Choir CD
Available Now
The Young People’s
Choirs have a CD and are selling copies for $10 each. Contact
John Cantrell for more details.
St.
Michael’s Open During the Week
St. Michael’s Church is open to the public 11 am – 2 pm Monday – Saturday for
prayer, reflection and meditation. Come, Rest, Pray
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