Word from the Rector
Holy Cross Sunday: The Banner of Salvation
I see many different flags flying today from houses and apartments and vehicles--flags indicating positions on all sorts of things, telling where the flag-flyer stands on political or cultural issues. We have become a nation very good at declaring ourselves, almost daring others to "make something of it."
I then ask myself what flag I should fly, as a parish priest. What is the banner I should unfurl in these violent, vociferous times?
The truth is that for the Christian there is but one banner of salvation--the Cross of Christ. Whatever other identities or positions or affiliations we have must ultimately bow down before the Cross.
Our society today is riven by passions and partisan divisions--the very things George Washington warned against so strenuously in his "Farewell Address" (which I would encourage everyone to read). Part of what he warned against was a day when Americans would turn against each other in this way. Partisan division was his greatest fear, "there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be, by force of public opinion, to mitigate & assuage it. A fire not to be quenched; it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest instead of warming it should consume." Sound familiar?
We can all feel quite powerless when something like the chaos and cruel violence we see in the news today breaks out. Where do we turn for hope and security? More flags? More fear? More retreat into the corners of our nation and our ideologies?
The Feast of the Holy Cross we celebrate this Sunday pulls us out of the corners of fear and hopelessness into the embrace of God's presence and love as made known in Christ. There we hear once more the truth that we must love our enemies. We also hear that the measure we mete out is the measure we shall receive. It is a message that runs completely counter to the prevailing culture of division.
Our strength as Christians is that we take our lead not from human figures or from our ungoverned passions but from the Prince of Peace himself, constantly testing our reactions, fears, and desires against the revealed will of God in Jesus. In this we have something truly radical to give to others: a way to short-circuit the spiraling cycle of hatred, fear, and violence.
At St. Timothy's we have long put the Cross at the forefront of our life--not only in terms of aesthetics or imagery but as the center point of our life together. It is how we have been able to maintain communion across differences. We have done this imperfectly, but we have done so better than most churches. Rather than seeing the Church as the search for a perfect distillation eliminating all difference, we have sought to come together around the Cross of Christ as children in need of healing, disciples in need of a teacher, sheep in need of a shepherd. It is here that we find our unity--by seeing our common need.
For this to continue we will have to be ever more insistent that the banner of salvation is the Cross, and nothing less. Every temptation will be brought to bear against this proposition, but it is our only hope. With this ensign, others who seek a safe harbor in the storm which surrounds us may find their way into port, experiencing the peace and security that only Christ can give. This is truly radical. We must be not only courageous to uphold this way of life: we must practice it daily, taking the experience of the Kingdom found at the altar into the torn and tattered world around us.
It is in that belief, and that hope, that I appeal to you to pray for our nation, for the victims of violence, and for those who influence the opinions and thoughts of many others. Most of all, I pray that we each guard our heart, wrapping it not in the banner of rage but in the embrace of the Cross. Only this will save us from the consuming flames of human folly.
Faithfully in Christ,
Brandon+.
A Prayer for our Nation
Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer in Times of Conflict
O God, you have bound us together in a common life. Help us, in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer for those who Influence Public Opinion
Almighty God, you proclaim your truth in every age by many voices: Direct, in our time, we pray, those who speak where many listen and write what many read; that they may do their part in making the heart of this people wise, its mind sound, and its will righteous; to the honor of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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The Week Ahead...
Thursday, September 11: Ferial Day
Friday, September 13: John Henry Hobart, Bishop of New York, 1830
- Fridays outside of Eastertide, Christmas, and Feasts of our Lord are marked by acts of discipline and self-denial. If you wish to know more about the meaning of this practice and its benefits, please enquire with Fr. Brandon.
Saturday, September 13: Cyprian, Bishop and Martyr of Carthage, 258
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+ Sunday, September 14: Holy Cross Sunday
 This feast celebrates the Holy Cross as a sign of divine love, healing, and hope and is a Feast of Our Lord. There will be a blessing of crosses at both the 8 AM and 10 AM service. This also marks the resumption of a full Sunday schedule.
+ 8 AM: Holy Eucharist (said). In-person.
+ 9:50 AM: Godly Play
+ 10 AM: Solemn Procession and Holy Eucharist (sung). In-person and online.
+ Coffee Hour following the 10 AM Liturgy.
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Monday, September 15: Catherine of Genoa, Mystic and Scholar, 1510
- The parish office is closed on Mondays.
- 7 PM: Fall Book Study hosted at the Rectory (more info) There is 1 space left for this session - sign-up in the narthex of through the Parish Office
Tuesday, September 16: Ninian, Bishop, c. 430
- 10 AM: Crafts and Conversation in the narthex
- 2 PM: Fall Book Study hosted at the church (more info) Sign-ups are also in the narthex or through the Parish Office
- 7 PM: Vestry Meeting
Wednesday, September 17: Ember Day; Hildegard of Bingen, Mystic and Scholar, 1179 (Carol Hutchinson preaching)
- 10 AM: Rite I Holy Eucharist
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Prayer Requests from this Parish: Jim Whitney, Caroline Gilbert, John Hanson, Howard Klopfenstein, Liz McClure, Becky McCarroll, Juanita Rivera, Scott Kohl, Barbara Knighton, the Teeter family, Sarah Martins, Rorey DeWitt, Leno Casini, for those who labor on the remodel of our Parish Hall, Family Promise, Salem for Refugees, Mending Wings Youth Ministries. For peace and for the many innocent souls caught up in armed conflict. For our nation and the cessation of political violence and partisan division.
For the Departed: David McDonald
For those who Mourn: Pat Eder
For Those with Birthdays this Week: Rick Herrin, Patti Wheeler, Jeanné Cannon
In the Diocese of Oregon: Trinity Cathedral, Portland
In the Anglican Communion: The Anglican Church of Southern Africa
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Zoom Recording of Last Sunday's Sermon
Sunday, September 7th
Passcode: ^.$UcWs2
Links will be valid for two weeks
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St. Timothy's Choir
We're Seeking a Few Good Men
With fall comes the resumption of the parish choir following a summer break. The tradition at St. Timothy's is for the choir to support worship by leading the congregation at major occasions through the year--especially All Saints', Lessons & Carols, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week, Ascension, Pentecost, and Trinity Sunday. In addition to traditional chants, the choir has sung anthems at communion. It is not focussed on performance but on liturgy.
The choir is in need of several men's voices, both tenor and bass/baritone. While you don't need to be proficient in reading music (although that would be highly valued), you do need to be able to sing with attention to detail and be able to attend Thursday evening rehearsals, resuming on October 23rd at 7 PM. Please see our Music Director Jeffrey Swartwout for specifics.
This request is made in earnest. Please prayerfully consider it. The choir is an vital part of what makes worship and sacramental life at this parish what it is.
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Parish Hall Dedication: Save the Date!
We are planning a dedication of the new Parish Hall on Sunday, October 26th following the 10 AM Liturgy. There will be more information coming soon. We hope you will join us in celebrating the completion of this project and blessing this space for its future use.
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Catechumenate 2025
The Catechumenate at St. Timothy's continues its work this year. It has been at the heart of St. Timothy's life since 1981. It is an ancient way to prepare seekers for Baptism, to help them become members of the Body of Christ, and also to help those who are baptized to grow into their own baptism. Catechumenate works to engage each person with the Gospel in every aspect of life. It is focused on formation, not just information. It is not a class but a journey—a journey toward Holy Week, toward Death and Resurrection. By God's grace, it changes the lives of those who journey through it, that they, in turn, may witness to others of the New Life blossoming within them.
We are a small group meeting weekly either on Zoom or in person from October through Pentecost. The first few weeks are focused on information (a tour of the church and our liturgy, a tour of the Book of Common Prayer, and a look at the history and structure of Anglicanism). You can attend only that part if you wish. The rest of the year will be spent discussing the Scripture Readings from each Sunday with a focus on our being formed as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
If you are interested in this experience, talk with Fr. Brandon or with myself, Sue Bergquist, Jana McFerron, or David Tatman. More information will be coming out soon.
-- Mike McFetridge
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Men's Fellowship Group
This group next meets on Thursday, September 18th at 6 PM. If you would like more information about the Group please contact Ron DeWilde, Steve Cowgill or Chuck McFerron.
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Introducing the After Ten Forum
The way we do Adult Study on Sundays is changing. As of this fall there will no longer be a 9 AM Sunday morning Adult Study. Beginning in September we will institute the After Ten Forum one Sunday a month.
• The After Ten Forum will not be held on the same Sunday every month.
• The After Ten Forum will take place after the 10 AM service.
• The After Ten Forum will be an interactive learning experience around a particular topic.
• The After Ten Forum will be led by various individuals throughout the year.
The first After Ten Forum will take place on September 21st. The plan is to take a deeper look into the Marks of Ministry that were recently approved by the Vestry. It will be a time of conversation around each one of the marks. Everyone is invited -- all can participate in the After Ten Forum. Come and see!
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Nutrition Buddies
Nutrition Buddies is starting up again and needs your help! This ministry gives us all an opportunity to care for the children in our direct neighborhood by providing nutritious food to those dealing with food-scarcity. There are various ways to help:
-- If you’re interested in volunteering your time to help with purchasing, organizing, packing, or delivering food items please talk with Pamela Filbert to learn more.
-- You can also donate to this Fund by placing an offering in the plate with the memo “Nutrition Buddies”. (This ministry is dependent on donations from the Parish.)
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Fall Book Club
Beginning to Pray by Anthony Bloom
Our Fall Book Study will be on Beginning to Pray by Anthony Bloom (Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh). There are two available sessions to join: Mondays, 7 PM, at the Rectory (with a space limit of 10 people) or Tuesdays, 2 PM, at the church. This offering will begin on Sep 15th and 16th. Sessions are planned to last and hour and fifteen minutes. Please sign up in the narthex if you are interested.
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The Parish Office has new hours!
With the start of the school year, the Parish Office is now open:
Tuesdays 8:30 am - 1:45 pm
Wednesdays & Thursdays 8:30 am – 2:30 pm.
The office will be closed on Mondays. On Fridays Emma is available remotely via cell phone (503.899.3053), email (mail@sainttimothys.org), or leaving a message on the Parish Office phone (503.363.0601).
Fr. Brandon's days off will continue to be Friday and Saturday. He is often in the parish office on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
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An open invitation to the C. S. Lewis Society Salem Chapter
Meeting every other Tuesday at Santiam Brewery
The Salem bi-weekly meeting of the Portland C.S. Lewis Society is held on Tuesdays and follows an every-other-Tuesday meeting schedule. We meet from 6 to 8 p.m. at Santiam Brewery on 2540 19th St. S.E., in Salem.
We read through the books together, so no reading is required prior to each meeting. We insert a meeting between the completion of one book and the beginning of another, where we read essays.
Our reading room is reserved at an English-style pub where we enjoy English food and ales as desired.
Contact Scott Edwards at edwardsclan7@mac.com for more information or to be added to the Salem email list.
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Travel Opportunity
Join a small group trip to Scotland in 2026
Parishoner Karla Erovick will be leading a 10-day exploration of the wonders of Scotland. The trip includes visiting Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness, Oban, and more. We will explore castles (and may even stay in one), monasteries, museums, gardens, and the rugged beauty of the Highlands. We will visit a distillery and a kilt maker. The trip will include a lot of walking. We are a small, intimate group of 6 travelers. Dates are April 30 - May 10, 2026. If you would like more information, please contact Karla via email at karlaerovick@gmail.com or ask her the next time you see her at church.
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The St. Stephen's Fund
Available to all
St. Timothy's has a special fund to assist parishioners during times of financial hardship. This fund is overseen by a Board of Stewards, consisting of Fr. Brandon, Michael McFetridge, and David Tatman.
If you have a need, contact one of us. This fund is in a great position to help. It has helped pay bills, make home improvements, fix autos…and many other things.
All requests are handled with great discretion. This fund was established decades ago and has benefited many parishioners over the years.
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Prayers for Peace in our Nation
Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart and especially the hearts of the people of this land, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
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