The Parish of Calvary-St. George’s in the City of New York is blessed with two historic churches just blocks from Union Square and a congregation whose rock and foundation is the Holy Gospel. We boldly confess that our only basis for righteousness before God is the unmerited love, mercy, and grace freely given in the person and work of Jesus Christ. However, this gift does not leave us complacent or indifferent to the events around us. On the contrary and in the words of our own Presiding Bishop, The Most Reverend Michael Curry, “Love does not look like the silence and complicity of too many of us, who wish more for tranquility than more justice.”

As the Rector and Wardens of the Parish of Calvary-St. George’s in the City of New York, we are consumed by the deep and overwhelming pain felt by members of our congregation, this community, and our nation. We recognize that no amount of #hashtags, social media posts, and parish letters can soothe the grief that many of you, especially our brothers and sisters of color, feel at this time. We are sickened by the brutal murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers and the never ending string of souls who have been killed by those sworn to protect us, including: Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Sandra Bland, Paul Castaway, Melissa Ventura, Eric Garner, Michael Brown, and Philando Castile. The events of the last week have once again revealed the gaping flaws of our justice system, in which so many of us have taken comfort and for granted. And that doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface. 

 As a nation we have so clearly missed the beatific vision found in the seventh chapter of St. John’s Revelation where the apostle sees a great multitude of people from every nation, tribe, and tongue standing in unity around the throne of Jesus crying aloud, "Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!" The Bible is clear – God longs for all people to experience justice, liberation, and the ability to live in both safety and freedom. 

 Our call as a Parish is to listen to each other and forgive each other in the name of Jesus, trusting that He is leading us into all truth and righteousness. As your Rector and Wardens, we want everyone to know that we are fully committed to listening and learning from the experience of others and prayerfully standing in solidarity with the Black community. We recognize that as a church “our battle is not against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities of the spiritual forces of evil”(Ephesians 6:12).

Therefore, while not skirting our own sinfulness but resting completely in the Gospel, please know that we will follow where the Holy Spirit leads, certain in the knowledge that His path will help us grow, heal, and finally end these senseless killings.  

 Peace,

The Reverend Jacob Andrew Smith,  Rector

Matthew Scott Peeler, WardenNona Ellis, Warden 

From all blindness of heart; from pride, vainglory, and hypocrisy; from envy, hatred, and malice; and from all want of charity,

Good Lord, deliver us.

By thine Agony and Bloody Sweat; by thy Cross and Passion; by thy precious Death and Burial; by thy glorious Resurrection and Ascension; and by the Coming of the Holy Ghost,

Good Lord, deliver us.

(The Great Litany, BCP) 

Do you renounce the evil powers of this world which corrupt and destroy the creatures of God? I renounce them.

Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself. I will, with God’s help.

Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being? I will, with God’s help.

(Holy Baptism, BCP)

---

Dear Calvary-St. George’s

In the midst of this pandemic, you are FIRME  Let me unpack that a bit.

This coming Sunday is “Expectation Sunday”.  It’s called that because we’ve already had Easter, we had the Ascension just this week, and the following Sunday will be the Feast of the Pentecost.  So this Sunday, Expectation Sunday, is a kind of in-between time.

Those first disciples were in an in-between time.  They were rejoicing that the resurrection and ascension had taken place.  But they were also scared about their assignment, which was to go out and convert the entire Roman Empire.

What about us?  The COVID-19 curve has peaked and is headed down, but a full post-pandemic world is not yet here.  So on this Expectation Sunday, how do we live in our own in-between time?

The answer can be found in Fr. Gregory Boyle’s book, Tattoos on the Heart.  Fr. Gregory is driving by a Los Angeles gang member named Willy, and he pulls over.  Willy says, “Hey G., my stomach’s on “échale” (which means empty) – kick me down with twenty dollars, yeah?”

They drive to a drugstore with an ATM.  Fr. Gregory tells Willy to stay in the car, because there might be a rival gang member in the store.  Willy asks for the car keys, so he can listen to the radio.  Fr. Gregory says, “No way,” and then holds his hands up in the prayer position and says, “Pray!”  Willy sighs and rolls his eyeballs.  But he assumes the praying hands pose.

Fr. Gregory comes back to the car, and something has happened.  Willy is quiet, and there is a sense of peace in the car.  Here’s how the book describes it.

I look at Willy and say, “You prayed, didn’t you?”  He doesn’t look at me.  He’s still and quiet.  “Yeah, I did.”  “What did God say to you?” I ask him.  “Well, He said, ‘Shut up and listen.’

That is what God says to you and me in our in-between times on this Expectation Sunday.  Shut up and listen – although maybe a little more politely.  Or maybe not.

God invites us to handle our in-between times by doing what we always have to do, and that is – nothing.  Nothing but pray and listen.  Just like those first disciples.  And as we do, God speaks the same word He spoke it to those first disciples.  It’s in this Expectation Sunday’s gospel (John 17:1-11). 

The word is “glory”.  It appears six times.

In the midst of our in-between times…

God doesn’t say, “Just hang on.”  He says GLORY. 

In the midst of our fears and uncertainties,

God doesn’t say, “Grit your teeth and bear it.”  He says GLORY. 

In the midst of our fears about what happens next, God doesn’t say,

“This too will pass.”  He says GLORY.

---

And in the upside down economy of God’s grace, He means the glory of the cross.  St. Paul says, “Far be it from me to glory, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

God’s glory radiates from an instrument of execution.  The cross is the place where Jesus takes the struggles of our in-between times on His own shoulders, in order that you and I may be able to stand firm.  And that’s a good segue back to Fr. Gregory and Willy.

I begin to drive Willy home to the barrio.  I’ve never seen him like this.  He’s quiet and humble – no need to convince me of anything or talk me out of something else.

“So, son, tell me something,” I ask.  “How do you see God?”  “God?” he says.  “He’s my dog right there.”  In the language of the gangs of Los Angeles, a dog is a person upon whom you can rely.  “And God?” I ask.  “How does God see you?”

Willy doesn’t answer at first.  So I turn and watch as he rests his head on the seat, staring at the ceiling on my car.  A tear falls down his cheek.  Heart full, eyes overflowing.  Then Willy says, “God... thinks … I’m… FIRME.”

To gang members in Los Angeles, FIRME means, “could not be one bit better.”  

That is glory, for Willy to realize how much he is loved.  And Fr. Boyle drives it home by saying,

“Not only does God think we’re firme, it is God’s joy to have us marinate,” in that glory.

---

In the very midst of COVID-19, may you and I…

1.  Stop talking and start listening

2.  Hear Jesus say “glory” from the cross

3.  Know that in that glory, we are firme

4.  Marinate in that good news

See you, virtually, at C/StG this Expectation Sunday!

Jim  

What’s New?

Your CALSTG-TEAM is gearing up to share MORE ways for you all to stay connected and reminded of God’s presence during the season of Pentecost. Here is the new line up coming your way…

Prayer zooms | MONDAY - FRIDAY 6PM

T.V. GOSPEL WITH REV. BEN DEHART | TUESDAY 8PM

TEEN HANG WITH CHELS | WEDNESDAY 7 PM

FUNDAMENTalS WITH REV. JAKE | THURSDAY 9 AM

---

Devotion Groups

Whether you are a New Yorker or you are tuning in from afar we welcome you to join a Devotion Group. The lessons are curated by the Rev. Ben Dehart and are accessible for all looking to get connected. The groups run seasonally throughout the year.

Youth and Family

Connecting with your kids during this season has never been made easier. Chelsy Haynes has created weekly Sunday School videos for your family to enjoy at your pace. Each video is less than 10 minutes and is a simple way to share stories of the Bible.

The Fundamentals

The Rev. Jake is back with the Fundamentals. Now more than ever is a great time to dive in and get to know your FAITH. The class will run live on Thursday mornings at 9AM…BUT remember you can tune in at your leisure in the comfort of your home anytime online.

Staying in Touch…

During this time, you can tune into our livestream events via calvarystgeorges.org. If you need pastoral care, please call the church office at 646-723-4178 or email us at info@calstg.org. Your clergy are here for you.

Dear Friends,

There are two ways of interpreting Jesus’ saying. The first is to understand it prescriptively; the second is to read it descriptively. It’s either a command, or it’s an explanation of the reality of the kingdom of God.

Receiving this verse as a command is fairly terrifying. Think about the last time someone told you to “relax.” What happened? Or the last time you told someone to “chill out,” what was their reaction? The prescription does not engender its demand.

Thankfully, Jesus is not asking us to invoke mind over matter. He’s not saying, “imagine your anxiety is a dumbbell, set it to the side, and never look back.”  

This is good news for me, because since the lockdown I’ve been more anxious than ever. I’ve been worried about my job, my family and friends, I’ve even made up things to worry about.

The message of this text is not, “I know you’re living in extraordinary times but chill out anyway.” What Jesus is saying is that the kingdom of God is real. So despite your anxieties about the repercussions of Covid-19, the truth of the sovereignty of God gives us hope. For you and I serve the living God who is for us.  

So keep taking your anti-anxiety medication, and continue your time of meditation and prayer, but, most importantly, remember that we can’t conjure up “the peace that surpasses all understanding” on our own. We need the power of “the One who raises the dead and calls into existence the peace that does not exist.”     

Grace and Peace,

Ben

---

Check out…

Our very won Luke Rolland’s article at mbird.com. He breaks down the meaning behind our favorite tagline…

“Enjoy Your Forgiveness.”

Pray with us.

Do you have a prayer or concern you would like to share. Monday through Friday a prayer meeting takes from at 6 PM with the intention to receive your prayers and concerns. Message info@calstg.org to receive a zoom invitation.

Worship with us.

It is so simple to worship with us. Simply check in HERE for our live services and Sunday School offerings. Simply log in HERE and download your bulletin to get your Sunday started. Morning Prayer goes live at 11am.

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? .” Matthew 6:25

Sundays for kids.

We may not be together in one building, but we can still connect through our new Sunday offerings with Director of Youth and Family, Chelsy Haynes. Each week families can tune in, learn, and create together. This Sunday families are invited to dig into Genesis and the great account of Noah. Link in HERE to join the fun every Sunday at 10 am.

---

Get Plugged In

Are you looking for more ways to stay connected? Now is a great time to join one of our many devotion groups. If your looking to get plugged into our community reach out to Rev. Ben Dehart at ben.dehart@calstg.org for more ways to get started.

---

We are here for you…

And remember if you need pastoral care during this time we are just a phone call away. Call the church office 646-723-4178 or email us at info@calstg.org. We would love to hear from you.

Dear Calvary-St. George’s

Is it me or does it feel like May 47th?  I have spoken with many of you and the consistent experience at this time is that the days seem to blend together.  In the midst of quarantine, it is hard to find a rhythm to life.  A Christian practice that I have found helpful during this time  is the implementation of A Rule of Life.  The idea of A Rule of Life developed in Christian monastic communities, the best-known of which is that of Saint Benedict, dating from the 6th century.  Many people mistakenly see a Rule as a set of commands that restrict or deny life.  They see A Rule of Life as a ladder to flex their pious muscles and improve their personal holiness in order to please God.  That type of Rule is unhelpful and never lasts.  Instead a Rule of Life should serve as a framework for freedom. Rooted in scripture, it should point us to Christ and enable us to live out our various vocations (husband, mother, teacher, devotion group leader, employee) with intention and for the sake of our neighbor (spouse, children, student, fellow parishioner, employer).

In the opening days of the quarantine, between church and family, I almost ran myself ragged. However, over the last month I have tried to implement a Rule of Life in order to bring some semblance of sanity and routine into this new life.  The Rule revolves around the truth that Christ is at the center of everything: in him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28). I am not implementing the Rule to make Jesus happy, but so that he might more freely work through me and sustain me.  Then I divide the day into four essential categories:

Worship

I try to read some scripture daily and say my prayers.  Sometimes they are really short, such as “Good Lord Deliver Us.”  Other times I dig into the Book of Common Prayer and will walk through the Great Litany or say Morning Prayer with Ben on FaceBook.  

Work

This is a given, but I can’t give 80 hours to it, and neither should you.  A lot of people who still have their jobs are finding themselves being worked to the nub.  This in the end is a recipe for not only burnout, but idolatry.  There is only one savior and you are not it. As New Yorkers, we all understand deadlines, but sometimes it is good to walk away and save it for tomorrow.

God Lord Deliver Us

Relationship

Relationship:  I take some time to check in with the ones I love, especially when work is overbearing.  I have a cup of coffee with Mel and go for walks with my kids.   Many of you, like me, are zoomed out so it doesn’t have to be a zoom cocktail or themed hang. It can be just a quick call to maintain a relationship and say I love you (Stevie Wonder). 

“I just called to say I love you
I just called to say how much I care
I just called to say I love you
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart”

Rest

This is so much more than laying on the couch and watching T.V. until 2 a.m.  In fact that is not rest at all.  Rest involves maybe breaking up the Netflix series I am ploughing through (currently it is Life After Death) and going to bed at a reasonable hour.  I have been exercising to clear my head.  I try to have one meal with my family and find the joy in cleaning the kitchen.  

I once heard it said that a Rule is like two things: a banister railing and a sign post. It provides support and stability as we make our way through the tricky parts of the highs and lows of life while at the same time pointing us away from ourselves so that we might fixate on the One who is actually upholding us through the journey. It is my hope that a Rule of Life will also function as a pair of lenses: bringing perspective and clarity during this confusing time and making the most of this great gift called life that God has given us.  Even if it is confined to the walls of our apartment.  

God Bless you all.

Pax,

The Reverend Jacob A. Smith

During this time, you can tune into our livestream events via calvarystgeorges.org. I also encourage everyone to join us on our Zoom conference calls from Monday to Friday at 6 p.m. If you need pastoral care, please call the church office on 646-723-4178 or email us at info@calstg.org.

Dear Friends,

When most New Yorkers think of gates they think of exclusion. They think of keeping people out: particularly the poor, the intellectually disadvantaged, people who look different than us.

In this Sunday’s Gospel lesson, Jesus says that he is “the gate.” This might cause some of us to put up our defenses: “Is this one of those ‘Us vs. Them’ passages?”

Well, in a way, it is, but probably not the way you’re thinking. Right before this text, Jesus healed a blind person. Having received his sight, the man presented himself to the religious authorities. Learning that it was Jesus who healed him, the religious leaders reject the man and tell him that he is still lost in his sins. Returning to Jesus, he is received and welcomed into the community of faith. 

It is in light of this event that Jesus presents himself as the gate. Not as a wall to keep out the less fortunate, but a fence to keep out “robbers and thieves”: false teachers who “steal, kill, and destroy.”

Who are the “robbers and thieves” of our own day? The first folks that come to mind are certain TV preachers. Those who, like the leaders of old, say that if you are not healthy you simply don’t have enough faith. 

Whoever these folks who would exclude you from God’s kingdom may be, the Good Shepherd is not one of them. So no need to put up your defenses, the true high priest says “Come unto me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.”

Thanks be to God,

Ben

Stay Connected.

Our clergy and staff have created ways for us all to stay connected during this season. Monday through Sunday we are here for you!

Pray with us.

Do you have a prayer or concern you would like to share. Monday through Friday a prayer meeting takes from at 6 PM with the intention to receive your prayers and concerns. Message info@calstg.org to receive a zoom invitation.

Worship with us.

Did you know this weekend is Good Shepherd Sunday? You’re not going to want to miss Morning Prayer as we are assured of God’s goodness to us.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11-18

Joining us for worship is easy. Simply log in HERE and download your bulletin to get your Sunday started. Morning Prayer goes live at 11am.

Sundays for kids.

We may not be together in one building, but we can still connect through our new Sunday offerings with Director of Youth and Family, Chelsy Haynes. Each week families can tune in, learn, and create together. This Sunday families are invited to dig into Genesis and the great account of Noah. Link in HERE to join the fun every Sunday at 10 am.

Devotion Groups

Are you looking for more ways to stay connected? Now is a great time to join one of our many devotion groups. If your looking to get plugged into our community reach out to Rev. Ben Dehart at ben.dehart@calstg.org for more ways to get started.

We are here for you…

And remember if you need pastoral care during this time we are just a phone call away. Call the church office 646-723-4178 or email us at info@calstg.org. We would love to hear from you.