Sermon Preview: When the interruption isn’t an interruption…

This Sunday, will we hear the intertwined stories of two women in Mark’s Gospel who need the healing of Jesus. One woman is the daughter of Jairus, a leader of the synagogue and an insider, and the other woman is an outsider who has suffered from hemorrhages and has been an outcast for more than 12 years because of her condition. New Testament and Markan scholar Ched Meyers highlights that this is a story of mirror opposites. Jairus formally approaches Jesus to ask for healing, while the unnamed woman suffering from hemorrhages has no choice but to reach out and touch Jesus in a crowd, facilitating her own healing. Jairus is a male in power speaking on behalf of a member of his family, while the unnamed woman commits an act of scandal by being in public with a health ailment that violates the Levite Purity Codes predominant at the time. She has no voice other than her own and has no choice but to interrupt Jesus by touching him, prompting Jesus to ask: “Who touched my clothes?”

As Meyers notes about this passage: “To the disciples, this interruption is an inconvenience attributable to the anonymous crowd, with whom they are unconcerned, anxious to help the powerful leader. Jesus, however, seeks to know the human face of the poor. Emerging from the margins of the story to center stage, it is the woman’s turn to fall in front of Jesus, implying that she is now on equal par with Jairus.” So often, we are so preoccupied with our own needs, stories, and narratives, that we fail to see that God’s work happens in the interruptions. God’s justice happens in the interruptions. God’s hope happens in the interruptions.

This Sunday, join me as we wrestle with this Gospel story; and may God help us to see that it is in the interruptions of our lives where we can most easily join in God’s larger redeeming work.

Come Bake With Us!

SUNDAY-THURSDAY, JULY 25-29

Help Cathedral Women bake 15,000 shortcakes for the 2021 Strawberry Festival! The annual tradition of Bake Week is full of fun and fellowship. No baking experience is required; we need measurers, mixers, rollers, oven timers, coolers and packers! Please note that because of current regathering guidelines, each shift is limited to nine volunteers plus one shift leader and childcare will not be available. In addition, volunteers must be masked while baking.

By tradition, Sunday evening is designated “Men’s Night,” but Bake Week is open to people of all genders age 12 and older. If you have any questions or comments, contact April Culbertson at april.culbertson@gmail.com.

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Bread for the World Offering of Letters: End Child Hunger

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 was a good start, but we have a long way to go to end child hunger. Statistics for U.S. hunger are now higher than they were in the Great Depression, and the economic impact of COVID-19 continues. Bread for the World’s annual Offering of Letters makes it easy to demand action from our senators and representatives. This easy-to-complete letter encourages your representatives to expand the Child Tax Credit and to increase global nutrition funding in 2022.

Letters are a strong witness of community concerns and personal testimonies. You are encouraged to personalize your message for the most impact, but Bread for the World’s simple system allows you to complete the process in mere minutes.

Once you send your letters, please notify The Rev. Fatima Yakubu-Madus so she can track participation in the diocese.

TAKE ACTION BY JUNE 30

Your Gifts Have Funded Another Grant

In this time of economic uncertainty, we’re beyond grateful to everyone who has continued to faithfully fulfill their pledges to CCC. Your gifts fund our Covenant Grants, which are dispersed to non-profits in the diocese. Many not-for-profit organizations that rely on donors have struggled during the pandemic as their revenue streams have dwindled, so your contributions matter more than ever right now.

The Putnam County Non-Food Pantry, operated by St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Greencastle, is the latest to benefit from your generosity. They will receive a check for $4,400 this week. The pantry provides essential items such as toilet paper, paper towels, dish detergent, diapers, feminine hygiene products, soap, etc. on a monthly basis, serving approximately 300 families per month. Covenant Grant funds will be used for the direct purchase of items to be distributed.

Thank you for sharing your abundant blessings with the people of the diocese!

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Commemoration of Pauli Murray

THURSDAY, JULY 1 AT 6PM

In collaboration with the diocesan Racial Justice and Education (RJE) team and Hallowed Ground Interfaith, Episcopal Church of All Saints is hosting a mass and a public poetry reading event for the Commemoration of Pauli Murray. Pauli was a queer priest, lawyer, poet, and civil rights pioneer, and was the first Black woman ordained priest in the Episcopal Church. Come celebrate this twentieth century saint’s faithful witness to the Gospel, the intersectional nature of her work and lived experience, and pray in communion with her and all the saints, past and present! Bishop Jennifer will preside. A reception to follow featuring the work of local poets and Pauli’s own works to honor her legacy.

Make your reservations ASAP; only a handful of walk-up slots will be available for the service. The outdoor reception does not require RSVPs.

RSVP NOW

Call for Concert Ushers

Do you enjoy attending concerts at CCC? Are you interested in getting involved? Sign up to be an usher for the upcoming 2021-22 concert series! There will be nine concerts, all hosted on Saturday evenings at the Cathedral. Our first concert, on August 14, is part of the 3-day Music in Bloom festival.

For more information, or to volunteer, contact Musical Arts Intern Claudia Gage.

EMAIL CLAUDIA

Prayer Leaders Needed

Every week, the Cathedral offers Morning and Evening Prayers through Facebook Live. It is an opportunity to reach the homes of many people and pray together. We need volunteers to continue with this ministry that is so important to the spiritual life of our community. Would you like to participate? We can train you if you don’t know how to do it! Please contact Father Poli for more information.

CONTACT FATHER POLI

REMINDER: Cathedral Women Summer Picnic

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30 AT 6PM

The Cathedral Women will host a picnic this coming Wednesday at 6 pm. We will meet at the Southgrove Shelter (Shelter 1) on the west side of Garfield Park. The shelter will protect everyone from a little rain, but if it storms, everyone who made reservations will receive an email announcing a rescheduled date and time.

VIEW PARK MAP

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Family Fun: Visit St. Peter’s Apiary

SATURDAY, JULY 17 AT 11AM

Families of all ages are invited to join us for a field trip to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Lebanon to tour their teaching beehives! St. Peter’s has kept honeybees since 2015, when they were inspired by Bishop Cate Waynick to consider building an apiary as part of their creation care. Their current hives are named Jennifer, Cate, and Rebekah. The first two hives are named for our first two female bishops: Cate Waynick and Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows. The third hive is named for Isaac’s assertive and powerful wife.

Beesuits will be provided and are available in children and adult sizes. Masks and social distancing are required for all Cathedral activities, and parents should plan to supervise their children during the visit.

RSVP NOW

MORE FAMILY FUN THIS SUMMER

Sacred Space Yoga: Online and on the Lawn

Refresh your body and soul with Sacred Space Yoga, hosted online on Mondays and in-person on Wednesdays (weather permitting). In case of rain, Wednesday’s yoga session will be presented online.

• Mondays at 5:30 pm on Zoom

• Wednesdays at Noon on the Cathedral lawn

No experience is needed, just wear comfortable clothing that allows for movement. As we are observing social distancing measures, attendees should bring their own yoga mats.

JOIN VIA ZOOM

GOOD WORD SUBMISSION FORM

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