Open Letter from Rev. Clarence, 3/13/23

Dear Members and Friends of St. James,

This week’s update contains three items which merit your attention.

The first is that you are invited to attend a Festival Choral Eucharist with our Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev’d Michael B. Curry. Bishop Curry comes to Old North Church – Boston on Sunday, 16 April, to observe and celebrate at 11:00 a.m. Old North Church’s 300 years, its founding in 1723 and its role in American history. You may find details and instructions regarding attendance at: www.diomass.org/Old-North-300 . Old North, officially Christ Church, is located at 193 Salem St. in Boston. This service will be livestreamed. At 6:00 p.m. Bishop Curry will be the honored guest speaker at a Lantern Service, a ticketed event, which will culminate in the lighting of Old North’s steeple lanterns as a witness to the events of April 18, 1775. Proceeds from the service will support the mission and ministry of the Old North congregation. For further details and to purchase tickets, you may again visit: www.diomass.org/Old-Morth-300 .

Second, I report that Vestry met on Sunday in St. Francis Hall, following Eucharist. Recovery from the ravishes of COVID-19 continues apace. Perhaps of financial interest, aside from scheduled revenue from use of our facilities and apartment, is the increase of the number of new pledges to our budget.

The third announcement is that, from Thursday through Saturday of this week, I shall be away, returning to the Finger Lakes of New York, in order to honor a request of the family of a deceased friend and former member of Trinity Church which I served during my years as Dean of Hobart College. Should a pastoral need arise, please contact our senior warden, William Brathwaite. Of your charity, I bid you pray for peace, as we continue our journey through Lent.

WEEK THREE: 13 March – 18 March
Reconciliation: Seeking forgiveness for things down and left undone
* The Lord’s Prayer
* Psalm 51, BCP p. 656
* Collect of Lent Four, BCP p. 218

WEEK FOUR: 20 March – 25 March
Consolation: Evaluating distractive busyness
* The Lord’s Prayer
* Psalm 23, BCP p. 612
* Collect of Lent Four, BCP p. 219

WEEK FIVE: 27 March – 1 April
Humility: Reassessing external influences on self-image
* The Lord’s Prayer
* Psalm 131, BCP p. 785
* Collect of Lent Five, BCP p.219

I hope that you will find these recommended acts of devotion and reflection restorative, as we reclaim a routine in our daily lives. Of your charity, I bid you pause once a week for 5 – 8 minutes to give God praise for our being.

May the peace of God that passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the love of God and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with you and those whom you love into this new year. Amen.

Your fellow Sojourner in The Way,
CEB+