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+ Alleluia. Christ is Risen!
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Notice: We are still experiencing difficulties with the Parish Office phone line. If you have tried calling and received the "busy tone", apologies! We will be switching phone providers this week and anticipate that this will remedy the situation. In the meantime, please feel free to call our Parish Administrator, Emma Glennen, direct on her cell phone (503-899-3053) or email the Parish Office at mail@sainttimothys.org.
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Word from the Rector
Christ is risen! Alleluia!
Rogationtide -- with a difference
In line with our parish's longstanding custom of a robust observance of the liturgical year, we will "beat the bounds" this Rogation Sunday after the 10 AM Eucharist. This Sunday there will be a difference, however. After the dismissal we will sing a closing hymn and then process to the chapel, where flowers will be placed on the altar before the Walsingham shrine in honor of the Mother of Christ.
The Blessed Virgin--whose traditional month is May--is always for us a sign of the church's vocation to faithfulness and perseverance. The combination of Rogationtide and the secular celebration of Mother's Day draws together themes of creation, holy maternity, and the church. Now that we are host to the diocese's shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, this relationship can be incorporated into our common life as the starting place for our first Rogation Procession since the Parish Hall's construction.
We will make our way along the new sidewalks to four boundary stations while chanting the Great Litany, stopping for prayers at each station. The younger ones will mark the corners of the property with their "boundary beaters," as usual. We will wind up at the Community Garden for a blessing on it, those who garden there, and on the Rogation crosses for you to take home. This is far more than quaint custom: it is an affirmation that we serve and steward a particular place, and that the creation reveals the holiness of God---even in our little part of Northeast Salem.
Meeting our Neighbors
St. Timothy's parish church sits in a neighborhood with many great folks and many steep challenges. Our parish constitutes an important part of the community. We have been forming positive working relationships with a number of our immediate neighbors, building a network of mutual respect and support---something much needed in our fragmented era.
One of the questions that I've been pondering has to do with the Parish Hall. Now that we have a place suitable for it, perhaps it is time we think about some sort of "open house" for the neighborhood to get to know us? If you are interested in exploring more about how we might form positive relationships with our nearest neighbors, please do speak with me, our wardens, or a vestry member (particularly Gail Coulson, who is the liaison to mission/outreach matters from the vestry).
Ascension Day: Let's Turn Out!
St. Timothy's will be hosting the Salem area's only Ascension Day service next Thursday, with Fr. Bob Williams, the interim rector of St. Paul's Church, preaching.
Please plan to attend the liturgy to hear this fine and wise presbyter interpret the word to us, and then share in the dessert potluck afterwards. This is one of the two times a year when our two congregations join in shared worship (the other being Thanksgiving). Along with our shared youth ministry efforts, joint worship experiences help break us free from parochial isolation. Beyond this, it would be a pity to have few of our own folks at a liturgy we are hosting!
The Sacredness of the Church-Yard
The next time you are at the parish church, take some time to look around the property. Our Memorial Garden, the Community Garden, the various trees new and old, and the large lawns---all of this requires considerable care to be maintained as a holy place of encounter with God, neighbor, and nature. A small army of parishioners are involved in making this a lovely, peaceful place of community and tranquility.
I particularly want to acknowledge our Junior Warden, Jim Apollonio, for this many labors. His recent work on leveling ground and planting grass seed to repair the damage done from excavation related to the Parish Hall remodel, his many special projects in and outside of the buildings (such as the new archival storage in the organ loft), and the way he has worked to secure the property as well as respectfully greet and direct campers to services and foster connections with neighbors have all made for an added sense of hospitality and welcome.
Like the church building, our grounds are part of the parish's mission to bring "all people to unity with God and each other in Christ." The excellence of their maintenance, the benefit they provide to the community, and the invitation they give to enjoy God's gifts in peace provide a refuge in our rushed era. Let us give thanks to God for many benefactors, now and in the past. Such labors are a holy offering, indeed.
In the risen Christ,
Brandon+
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The Week Ahead...
Thursday, May 7: John of Beverley, Bishop & Confessor, 721
- 7 PM: Women's Bible Study, Zoom
Friday, May 8: Julian of Norwich, Mystic & Theologian, c. 1417
- No fasting during Eastertide
- Here is a blog posting from Fr. Brandon about Fridays in Eastertide
Saturday, May 9: Gregory of Nazianzus, Bishop and Theologian, 389
- Prayers for the the Departed in Christ, traditionally said on this day
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+ Sunday, May 10:
Sixth Sunday in Easter | Rogation Sunday
+ 8 AM: Holy Eucharist (said). In-person.
+ 9:50 AM: Godly Play open
Please note there is no nursery care this week
+ 10 AM: Holy Eucharist (sung) with Rogation Procession. In-person and online.
+ Coffee Hour following the 10 AM Liturgy
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From the Latin, rogare, meaning ask; rogation is the day that marks the blessing of the land to bring forth good growth. For centuries, parish communities have observed Rogation Sunday as a time to seek blessings both for the land's bounty and for the wellbeing of the community. It is also a time to consider our role as stewards of the Earth and to pray that we always seek the right and just use of what we have been gifted.
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Monday, May 11: Rogation Monday; Domatilla, Nereus & Achilleus, Martyrs, 1st C.
- The parish office is closed on Monday.
Tuesday, May 12: Rogation Tuesday; Pancras, Martyr, c. 304
- 7 PM: Endowment Board Meeting
Wednesday, May 13: Rogation Wednesday; Frances Perkins, Social Reformer, 1965
- 10 AM: Rite I Holy Eucharist
- 7 PM: Catechumenate (this is the last Zoom session for the year; there will be an in-person meeting at 9 AM on Sunday, May 17)
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Prayer Requests from this Parish: Martina Sierra, Anita McIntire, Liz McClure, Dale & Jeanné Cannon, John & Judy Sullivan, Juanita Rivera, Br. Matthew Tenney nOGS, Scott Kohl, Robert Barbor Jr, Rorey DeWitt, Rich Zorko, Mike Martin, Julia Smith, Kerrie Harwood, Family Promise, Salem for Refugees, Mending Wings Youth Ministries. For the diocese of Iran and the people of the Middle East. For those who serve in the armed forces and for their families. For the maintenance of our civil liberties and all who labor to protect them.
For Those with Birthdays Next Week.
In the Diocese of Oregon: St. Luke, Grants Pass
In the Anglican Communion: The Church of Pakistan
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Zoom Recording of Last Week's Sermon
Sunday, May 3
Passcode: !9s&+Hm9
Links will be valid for two weeks.
The Lectionary Readings for this past Sunday can be found here.
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Ascension Day
Thursday, May 14th
7 PM Liturgy: The Rev'd Dr. Robert Williams, Preaching
Ascension Day is the 40th day of Easter and the feast commemorating Christ's ascension in glory to the Right Hand of God the Father. It is one of the Seven Principal Feasts of the Church Year. This feast brings to an end that portion of Eastertide in which Christ was physically present with the disciples. To mark this, the Paschal Candle is moved from the pavement in the nave to the step on which the altar stands.
We will be having a Holy Eucharist at 7 PM, followed by a small dessert reception. You’re invited to bring a ready-to-serve dessert to share if you wish. (You may even theme your dessert around clouds and ascension - think meringue or cream puffs - though this is entirely optional!)
Our preacher for this evening will be the Interim Rector at St. Paul's here in Salem. He is a wise and generous soul. St. Paul's is being invited to share in this feast, as well.
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The Day of Pentecost
Sunday, May 24
Wear red on this day at church to celebrate this Feast
One of the 7 Principal Feasts of the Church Year, this day concludes the Great 50 Days of Easter and celebrates the giving of the Holy Spirit to the Church. This Feast is one of the traditional times for baptism - it is often referred to as Whitsun after the white garments worn by those newly baptized.
The Gospel passage is read in as many languages as possible. Please tell the parish office, or sign up in the narthex, if you are willing to read the passage (John 20:19-23) at either of the day’s Eucharists.
There will be a special Whitsunday Cheese Reception in the narthex following the 10 AM liturgy. You are invited to bring interesting / exotic cheeses, breads, and crackers with cheese boards, utensils, &c. Please also bring labels so that we can know all the different cheeses we are trying!
Following the reception (and, weather permitting) we will go on a “Whit-walk,” to nearby points in our neighborhood in order to pray for our neighbors and the well-being of the community in which we minister.
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+ Observing Rogationtide, Ascension and Pentecost
- Place your rogation cross in the garden (or with your indoor plants). This is a great time to plant seeds with the children in your life so they can watch them grow and observe God's creation at work.
- Make your own rogation prayer bunting to display in your garden. Use the template here (from The Homely Hours website) or pick up a printed version on the narthex table.
- Beat the bounds at Church with pool noodles.
- Take an Ascension Day hike to a high place. This is an old custom from Europe, in imitation of Christ leading his apostles to the Mount of Olives.
- Say the novena to the Holy Spirit in the days between Ascension and Pentecost. A version is available on page 322 of the St Augustine's Prayer Book, online here, or printed copies are available on the table in the narthex.
- Wear red to Church on Pentecost.
- In addition to the Cheese reception, make and decorate cookies in the shape of doves or flames (caraway is a traditional flavor for Whitsun!).
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Diocesan Renewal Gathering
Saturday, June 6
Hosted at St Timothy's!
All are invited to this year’s Renewal Gathering on Saturday, June 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Timothy’s, Salem. This annual event brings together Episcopalians from across the diocese for a day of learning, conversation, and fellowship.
Our featured preacher and speaker will be the Rev. David “Kawika” Jackson of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaiʻi, who will lead reflections on the theme E Komo Mai: The Role of Hospitality from a Judeo-Christian Perspective. Through scripture and conversation, participants will explore the biblical call to welcome the stranger and how that call shapes our life together as Christians today.
The gathering will also feature the annual diocesan basket raffle, with parishes invited to contribute themed baskets.
Registration is $20, and you can learn more and register on our website HERE. All are welcome!
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From Your Parish Librarian
This issue of Shelf Life is the monthly (although, not in *every* month but definitely in a month)
“St Timothy’s Parish Library List of Recently Donated and Cataloged Books.”
::Warning::
If you think you know where your favorite books are in the St Timothy’s Library; no, you don’t, because the librarian has moved everything around. You're welcome.
For an example: Books by C S Lewis have been moved from limbo, in the bookcase behind the conference table, into the light, in the center of the Library —that is, the third bookcase on your right as you enter the Library. You can easily identify our C S Lewis Collection by their white-as-snow, typed labels. The alphabetical prefix that identifies the subject in our Library is “U.” The name, “Favorite Authors,” is right on the label, as is the Shelf Number. All of C S Lewis’ shelf numbers start with, “CSL,” then three more letters that indicate the book title. Another Favorite Author in the “U” Category is N T Wright (NTW). The librarian is happy to hear your opinion if you know of another author enjoyed by the Readers of St Timothy’s that you think should be included in this category; her phone number for texting is in the Church Directory, however, her email has been changed; Emma can tell you her new email.
::Surprise::
A gorgeous, over-sized book was recently donated, “The Psalms of David,” by Owen Jones. The illuminated pages are so beautiful that it is actually a picture book so it is cataloged with the prefix “W” which is for the Art & Music category in our Library. You can be bedazzled at the back of the Library where this book stands on the shelf waiting for you. Our copy must be a Victorian reprint because although it was published in 2002, it includes an illuminated dedication to Queen Victoria.
If you like illuminated Scripture, also on the back shelf of the Library is, “The Lindisfarne Gospels,” by Janet Backhouse. This book includes examples of illuminated pages as it tells the history of the Lindisfarne Gospels. It is oversized so it doesn’t fit easily on our shelves. Oversized books are shelved where they fit, and “The Lindisfarne Gospels” fits on the back shelf of the Library, for the present. This book also has the “W” for Art & Music prefix on its shelf label.
::Business::
Labels on the shelves will be appearing which will help you find the various sections of the Library as the librarian continues to move books around; and as the books are moved, the label identifying their section will be moved with them.
::Other Recently Cataloged Books Are:
“The Shape of the Liturgy”
It has the prefix Q in the Shelf Number indicating, Worship.
“Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening,” by Cynthia Bourgeault You can find this book in the “R” section of the Library because “R” is for Prayer. You would think that “P” would be for Prayer; but, no, “P” is for Other Religions (OthrRel) [formerly, World Religions] which includes non-Anglican and non Christian religions.
“Celebrating the Seasons,” compiled by Robert Atwell
This is a collection of daily readings that follow the Liturgical Year. An Anglo Catholic Church Library cannot have too many books on the Church Year. This book is shelved in the “Q” Section, Church Year.
“Dorotheos of Gaza: Discourses and sayings,” translated by Eric P Wheeler Sermons and discourses are shelved in the “V” Section of the Library, Literature. If you are looking for sermons and writings by your favorite clergy, you are encouraged to look in the “V,” Literature section. Go alphabetically through the bookcases until you locate V - Lit (Literature), Sermons, and there you’ll be.
"FREELY TAKE"
New books have been added to the Freely Take basket.
We have reached a crucial epoch in the cataloging of the books, in that there is not enough shelf space for the out-dated, dusty, sometimes tattered books and the recently-published, sometimes pristine, donated books which means more books will be cast into the Freely Take basket for you before they are ultimately delivered to Good Will.
—Bonnie Bonham—Parish Librarian—
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A Collect for Later Eastertide
Almighty and everlasting God, you have given your Church the great joy of the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Give us also the greater joy of the kingdom of your elect, when the flock of your Son will share in the final victory of its Shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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