EASTER AND RESURRECTION As I am considering resurrection this year, T. S. Eliot’s controversial phrase “dissociation of sensibility” has come to mind. What that means to me in this context is that we limit our understanding to what can be factually ob- served. I think most of us were taught to think this way. Resurrection stretches our minds because it is something outside our control. It does not seem to be anything that is subject to experiment and validation. Does this mean it can be discounted? Faith includes factual observation, yet pushes beyond to the level of meaning and to the transcendent. Christians have always concluded that the Holy Spirit is the giver of life (this does not contradict the evidence of evolu- tion). Jesus was so full of this Spirit that his followers spoke of the Spirit of Jesus. And when his followers encountered Christ aſter his death on the cross, they said he was raised by the energizing power of that same Spirit. If we have dissociated this part of our understanding, and are limited by the reach of our human knowing, then resurrection is beyond us. In fact, resurrection is a giſt that only the immortal God can give. It is not something we each possess innately. It is completely God’s giſt of grace, outside of us. is does not mean that we are of no consequence. All that we do in the present in the service of compassion will find its fulfillment in God’s future. So this Easter we unify factual observation with the sense of being loved by God with a compassion that is stronger than death. We bring this faith into contact with works and thoughts that are subject to our planning and development. Our compassionate works are taken up into God’s future. And faith in God’s grace places us in the path of the Spirit whose divine energy raises us up.~ Cliff April 2015 Volume IX Number 4 T IDINGS Adult Education - Faith Forum Jesus After Easter, Three Faith Forums on Sunday Mornings April 12, 19 and 26 at 9:40 a.m. Phillip Cary, PhD, Professor of Philosophy and Religion, and Scholar in Residence at the Templeton Honors College of Eastern University will lead the next three Faith Forums. In each of these weeks aſter Easter, Dr. Cary will examine Jesus Risen; Jesus Exalted; and Jesus Enthroned. Christian Mystics, Yesterday and Today Tuesday Evenings at 7 p.m. Mysticism runs through our Christian tradition from beginning to end. e Apostle Paul recounts being “caught up to the third heaven;” that is, where paradise is located (2 Corinthians 12: 2). On three Tuesday nights, April 14, 21 and 28 at 7 p.m., the rector will explore Christian mysticism by comparing the ancient/medieval with the more modern mystics: Hugh of St. Victor and Dag Hammarskjold, Ephrem the Syrian and Etty Hillesum, and Jan Van Ruysbroeck and Dorothy Day. e course will be held in the Dixon House Library. All are welcome. FIVE FRIDAYS, A String Trio Luosha Fang, Violin Ayane Kosaza, Viola Gabriel Cabezas, Cello Friday, April 10 – 7:30 p.m. e Five Fridays concert series is proud to present three amazing Astral Artists. Taking place by candlelight on the labyrinth in Saint Paul’s stunning neo-gothic nave, every Five Fridays concert includes a wine reception and chance to greet the artist. All proceeds benefit Face-to- Face Germantown and the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Northwest Philadelphia. Program Paul Wiancko (b. 1983) – A Sanguine Clockwork Arnold Schoenberg (1874-1951) – String Trio Op. 45 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) – Divertimento in E-flat Major, K 563 Saint Paul’s Monthly Newsletter
Transcript
EastEr and rEsurrEction
As I am considering resurrection this year, T. S. Eliot’s controversial phrase “dissociation of sensibility” has come to mind. What that means to me in this context is that we limit our understanding to what can be factually ob-served. I think most of us were taught to think this way. Resurrection stretches our minds because it is something outside our control. It does not seem to be anything that is subject to experiment and validation. Does this mean it can be discounted? Faith includes factual observation, yet pushes beyond to the level of meaning and to the transcendent.Christians have always concluded that the Holy Spirit is the giver of life (this does not contradict the evidence of evolu-tion). Jesus was so full of this Spirit that his followers spoke of the Spirit of Jesus. And when his followers encountered Christ after his death on the cross, they said he was raised by the energizing power of that same Spirit. If we have dissociated this part of our understanding, and are limited by the reach of our human knowing, then resurrection is beyond us. In fact, resurrection is a gift that only the immortal God can give. It is not something we each possess innately. It is completely God’s gift of grace, outside of us. This does not mean that we are of no consequence. All that we do in the present in the service of compassion will find its fulfillment in God’s future.So this Easter we unify factual observation with the sense of being loved by God with a compassion that is stronger than death. We bring this faith into contact with works and thoughts that are subject to our planning and development. Our compassionate works are taken up into God’s future. And faith in God’s grace places us in the path of the Spirit whose divine energy raises us up.~ Cliff
April 2015Volume IX Number 4
Tid ings
Adult Education - Faith ForumJesus After Easter, Three Faith Forums on
Sunday Mornings April 12, 19 and 26 at 9:40 a.m.
Phillip Cary, PhD, Professor of Philosophy and Religion, and Scholar in Residence at the Templeton Honors College of Eastern University will lead the next three Faith Forums. In each of these weeks after Easter, Dr. Cary will examine Jesus Risen; Jesus Exalted; and Jesus Enthroned.
Christian Mystics, Yesterday and TodayTuesday Evenings at 7 p.m.
Mysticism runs through our Christian tradition from beginning to end. The Apostle Paul recounts being “caught up to the third heaven;” that is, where paradise is located (2 Corinthians 12: 2). On three Tuesday nights, April 14, 21 and 28 at 7 p.m., the rector will explore Christian mysticism by comparing the ancient/medieval with the more modern mystics: Hugh of St. Victor and Dag Hammarskjold, Ephrem the Syrian and Etty Hillesum, and Jan Van Ruysbroeck and Dorothy Day. The course will be held in the Dixon House Library. All are welcome.
FIVE FRIDAYS, A String TrioLuosha Fang, ViolinAyane Kosaza, ViolaGabriel Cabezas, CelloFriday, April 10 – 7:30 p.m.The Five Fridays concert series is proudto present three amazing Astral Artists.Taking place by candlelight on the labyrinth in Saint Paul’s stunning neo-gothic nave, every Five Fridays concert includes a wine reception and chance to greet the artist. All proceeds benefit Face-to-Face Germantown and the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Northwest Philadelphia.
ProgramPaul Wiancko (b. 1983) – A Sanguine Clockwork
InterFaith Hospitality NetworkThis year, St Paul’s once again served as a host site for the Inter-faith Hospitality Network (IHN), a non-profit that provides a structured program for homeless families that gradually tran-sitions them into stable housing of their own. Founded in 1991, IHN can claim a success rate of 92%, meaning that of the fami-lies that they assist, 92% do not return to the shelter system af-ter completing the IHN program. As part of this program, on March 8, four families moved into rooms here at our church, and stayed with us through March 29. Our visiting families were a wonderful group this year. Nancy, whose nine-year-old daughter is named Aubree, is working and also attends an online university. Tahira has two young children: Lamira, four years old, and Chancie, is one. Jennice has one three-year-old daughter named Sybriah. Tanisha has three children: Keyan who is seven, and Caiden and Kiye, who are eighteen months and seven months old respectively. Tanisha started a new job at the end of February, and her fiancée Damien recently joined the IHN program and moved into the church with her. Two of our families transitioned into stable housing during the three weeks that we hosted them. During family church stays we, along with Chestnut Hill Presbyterian and Our Mother of Consolation, take turns to provide volunteers for each of the three weeks that they are here. Our church was able to provide a group of over twenty truly dedicated volunteers during our IHN week, and we could not have done this without them! Together, they put in a total of 106 volunteer hours over just that one-week period. Our volunteers filled roles as dinner hosts, overnight hosts, storytellers, and more. On behalf of the Outreach Committee and our visiting families, we would like to sincerely thank each and every one of them for being so generous in sharing their time with us and the IHN folks.~Shara Dunham
Canned Goods and Non-Perishables
Always NeededA wicker basket has been placed in the narthex as you enter the church for the purpose of receiving canned goods and
non-perishable food. Please support those in need.
Mindfulness Exercise at St. Paul’sSaint Paul’s will offer two Mindfulness and Wellness training sessions, both beginning at 10 a.m., on April 11 and April 18. According to workshop leader Jacqueline O’Malley, M.Ed. and Director of the Center for Mindful-ness and Wellness in Flourtown:
“Mindfulness” is learning to direct our attention to our experience as it unfolds, moment by moment, with open-minded curiosity and acceptance. Rather than worrying about what has happened or might happen, it trains us to respond skillfully to whatever is happening right now, be that good or bad.”
Ms. O’Malley is an experienced leader of mindfulness train-ing for children and adults, both privately and in schools. Her informative sessions center on helping both adults and children find real meaning in the present and on developing constructive ways to build healthy relationships. Parents and teachers are encouraged to attend these workshops at Saint Paul’s, and childcare will be provided. Join us to learn how mindfulness can make a difference in your life. For more information, Manny: [email protected].
Young Professionals visit to Face to Face Germantown
Saint Paul’s Young Professionals will visit Face to Face in Germantown on April 18 at 11:30 a.m. to help serve food to the hungry and homeless in our community. Face to Face offers us the opportunity to serve others while engag-ing with people in ways that help to shape outlooks on the complexities of life. This is a wonderful service opportunity and we hope many will come out to serve. Face to Face is located at 109 E. Price St, Philadelphia. Please plan to arrive by 11:30 a.m. For more information or questions, please contact Manny: [email protected]
Easter Egg Hunt and Family LunchAll are invited to our annual Easter Egg Hunt and Family Lunch on April 4 at 11 a.m. Children scramble around the campus collecting eggs that are then inserted into the “Easter Egg Machine.” Displaying all the wonders of modern science, the Easter Egg Machine produces a gift bag for each child! When all the eggs are discovered, lunch will be provided. It is an exciting morning for all in antici-pation of Easter’s celebration of resurrection.
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The Center for Contemporary Mysticism Contemporary Mysticism Book Group
First Monday each month in Saint Paul’s Dixon House Currently we are reading and discussing, Faith: Trusting Your Own Deepest Experience by Sharon Salzberg. Everyone is welcome, whether or not you have read the book. We hope you’ll join us on each first Monday at 7:30 p.m. for a lively discussion.
“Mystical Feast” Gourmet Dinner Fundraiser
The Center for Contemporary Mysti-cism will hold a dinner/fundraiser in the Parish Hall on Sunday, April 12,
starting at 5 p.m.Join us for an evening of fine food,
excellent wine, great music, awesome raffle prizes, and silent auctions for “a weekend at the Shore” and “weekend
in a rustic mountain lodge.” Tickets are $30 and tables of 8 may be reserved.
Saint Paul’s Ministry Continues Strong!
On Sunday, March 22 the parish took part in an adapta-tion of the APGAR test. The exam was originally developed by Dr. Virginia Apgar to give a quick appraisal of a baby’s health at one and five minutes after birth. A score of seven is generally considered to be an indication of good health. We used a modified test to see how the church is doing on the five objectives of our thematic goal, “one bread... one body” after one year. More than 10% of the parish offered this quick review. We scored highest on the joy we experience in being together: 92%. Next came “Honoring diversity in our com-munity.” The proportion on that objective was 87%. Next was “We partnered in our work rather than competed for atten-tion and resources,” for 84%. Fourth at 82% was “As a com-munity, we tried to identify with the other, listening and seek-ing to understand.” The lowest score (but not an unhealthy score) was “We were selfless, generous and put Saint Paul’s community ahead of our own point of view.” We rated this at 75%. This tells us that we are a happy community and that generosity and selflessness is an area that we can work on.
Inquirer Reports Passion for Peace Award
at Saint Paul’sSaint Paul’s was recognized in The Philadelphia Inquirer on Monday, March 23 after Irish mental health nurse Patricia Campbell received an award for her own Passion for Peace. She spoke of the trauma in her native Ireland and thirty years later the current trauma in Israel and Palestine. She is aware of the long-term effects. Healing happens when safe places are created for people to speak of what they endured, and when people take ownership of their own communities. A freewill offering of $372 was collected and will be sent to the Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza, one of the 30 medical and education institutions supported by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. The hospital sustained severe structural damage during last summer’s bombing by Israel. The offering will help to restore the ventilation system, generators, operating and emergency rooms, as well as provide meals for the hundreds of Palestin-ians who are currently dependent upon the hospital for food.
Walk the Labyrinth on Good Friday
On Good Friday, April 3, the church will be open to walk the Stations of the Cross on our peace labyrinth. The laby-rinth is a journey like that which Jesus walked on the Via della rosa on the way to the cross. When we reach the cen-ter and turn around, we begin a brand new path. That is the way of resurrection. Come and experience Good Friday with a labyrinth walk.
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The Triduum: Three Services in One!
These are the three concluding days of Holy Week: the Last Supper (Maundy Thursday), the Passion (Good Friday), and Holy Saturday concluding with the Great Vigil of Eas-ter. There is no blessing after the Maundy Thursday wor-ship. The service does not end. It just extends into Good Friday. There is also no blessing at the Good Friday worship. That too simply extends itself into the Great Vigil of Easter where finally we come to a blessing. The service of commu-nal love on Thursday leads to self-giving love on Friday and finally victorious love at Easter. It is all one divine worship.
Triduum Challenge! Those who participate in this comprehensive worship from Maundy Thursday through the Easter Vigil will receive a beautiful rose window pin. They will be available at the end of the Easter Vigil. Some who have made the Triduum commit-ment can get their pins ahead of time. Get your Saint Paul’s on!
Maundy Thursday - April 2 Mediterranean Meal and Worship
We will enjoy the food that Jesus ate at a Mediterranean meal in the parish hall at 6 p.m. There will be simpler fare for children (after which Child Care will be provided foryoung children during the service). We will remember the kind of meal that Jesus had with his disciples and the com-passion they shared. At 7 p.m. our commemoration of the last supper will take place in the church where Jesus took up a towel and in a soothing expression of service washed his disciples’ feet. We may join in following Jesus’ humble service. Those who wish may sit with sympathetic joy! The bread and wine of communion is taken to the tabernacle in the chapel where it is kept for the service on Good Friday. The ornaments of the church are removed so that it is stark and bare for our Good Friday observance.
Good Friday – April 3 This service begins at noon using our Prayer Book litur-gy that puts us in mind of the cross and Jesus’ love. Buzz Wemple made us a new, wooden cross for this service. We will read George Herbert’s poem, The Sacrifice – “Was ever grief like mine?” The service ends with the words, “Give mercy and grace to the living; pardon and rest to the dead;
and to your holy Church peace and concord…”
Holy Saturday – April 4 at 9:30 a.m.
Prior to the church being decorated for Easter, we com-memorate the day when Jesus’ body lay in the tomb “resting on the Sabbath.” We wait for Easter in order to rise with Jesus to newness of life.
The Great Vigil of Easter – April 4 at 7 p.m.
“Christ is Risen!” And the Alleluias we have refrained from saying all during Lent are finally upon our lips again. The worship begins in darkness with the lighting of the first fire and the reading of our salvation history. We will be joined by our friends from the Church of the Advocate.
New Times for Easter Morning Worship – April 5
You may choose to worship at our contemplative Eucharist at 8 a.m., or at the 9 a.m. or the 11:15 a.m. service where there will be festival worship and full choir. God has raised Jesus, and in so doing revealed to all the One who has au-thority over life and death.
Good Friday Offering Goes to Province of Jerusalem
and the Middle East
As members of the Diocese of Pennsylvania, we and the national church have supported the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East through the Good Friday offering since 1922. Seventy years later our diocese at Con-vention formed the Middle East Study Group which our rector now facilitates to better understand this part of the world with an eye toward peace in a place of great conflict. As Good Friday leads to Easter, today’s trials in the Middle East lead to tomorrow’s promise. Your Good Friday offering can help bring that promise to reality. We celebrate Easter with Arab Christians in the Middle East as One Body in Christ strengthened by faith and guided by a compassion that is stronger than death.
Holy Week & Easter Day
Maundy Thursday, April 2 at 7 p.m. Good Friday, April 3 at Noon
The Great Vigil of Easter, April 4 at 7 p.m. All Services Choral Holy Eucharist
Easter Day, April 5 at 8, 9 & 11:15 a.m. Festal Choral Eucharist Celebration
www.stpaulschestnuthill.org 22 East Chestnut Hill Avenue, Philadelphia, 19118
ClergyThe Rev. E. Clifford Cutler, Rector
[email protected], ext. 28The Rev. Emmanuel A. Mercer,Assistant Rector
