St Timothy's e-Tidings
+ Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
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Thursday, August 18: Artemisia Bowden, 1969
- 3 PM: Funeral for Don Wickman; reception following
Friday, August 19:
- Fridays are marked by acts of discipline and self-denial. This is called a "Friday Observance," and is enjoined by the Prayer Book (p. 17). Information about this ancient and beneficial practice may be found here.
Saturday, August 20: Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux, 1153
- Prayers for those who have died are traditionally offered on Saturdays. Here is more information on this practice, along with prayer resources.
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+ 8 AM: Holy Eucharist (said) In-person
+ 10 AM: Holy Eucharist (sung) In-person and online
+ After the 10 AM Liturgy: Coffee hour (outdoors, weather permitting)
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+ Please see the "Worship Notes" section below for current pandemic-related liturgical protocols.
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Monday, August 22:
- The parish office is closed on Monday
Tuesday, August 23: Martin de Porres, 1639, Rosa de Lima, 1617, and Toribio de Mogrovejo, 1606, Witnesses to the Faith in South America
Wednesday, August 24: Saint Bartholomew the Apostle
- 10 AM: Rite I, in-person Holy Eucharist (more info)
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Prayer Requests from this Parish: Mother Margaret McMurren, Mother Janet Waggoner, Karla Erovick, Julie Pannell, Susan Hawkins, Martina Sierra, Coralie Peterson, Kerrie Harwood, Fr. Bernie Lindley & St. Timothy’s Church (Brookings), the people of Ukraine, victims of the pandemic and all who care for them, Jed & Kim Johnson, Family Promise, Salem for Refugees, Mending Wings Youth Ministries
For the Departed: Liz Kirk, all victims of the war in Ukraine
For Those with Birthdays this Week: Anne Whitney, Ron DeWilde
For Teachers and Students, especially in this parish
For Ruth Kreuger, postulant for Holy Orders and field placement intern at St. Timothy’s
In the Diocese of Oregon: Church of the Ascension, Riddle; St. George, Roseburg
In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer: Province of Alexandria
The flowers at the altar this coming Sunday are given by Sue and Larry Bergquist in thanksgiving for their wedding anniversary.
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Word from the Rector…
Pandemic "Update" and Masking at St. Timothy's
The CDC's recent protocol revisions are about as clear a signal as we will ever get that, from the governmental side of things, the pandemic has shifted to a different level of concern. Gone are the days of mandatory quarantine upon exposure -- let alone compulsory masking in public. This is a signifiant moment and I want to think about it for a bit.
Covid is now joining influenza as one of the common and ongoing infectious diseases we have to deal with each year. Unlike the flu, Covid has yet to become a seasonal virus; its mortality rate is also much higher and cannot be minimized as "just another cold bug," but it is increasingly being viewed as a risk many people are willing to take due to increased immunity through vaccination (and, to a lesser extent, prior infection) and better treatments for those infected.
There is a great deal about this disease we still do not know, and there is a real possibility a more dangerous variant will arise; however, many people feel ready to "move on" from the pandemic's grip in spite of legitimate medical and public health concerns. Even in our own parish, where we have been extremely careful to observe masking for the common good as well as personal safety, a growing number of people are telling me they are weary of this precaution -- especially in warm weather. I can sympathize with this.
Wearing a mask, along with glasses, and trying to use an over-the-ear microphone system is quite difficult and frustrating. At the early Eucharist on Sunday the mask really gets in the way of communication.
We are now at a point in the pandemic where the basic rate of illness in our community is not likely to drop much (indeed, the re-opening of schools in a few weeks will likely drive it up for a time, just as it does various other communicable diseases). Expecting the populace to keep to protocols from the early Omicron Wave is unrealistic.
The evolving pattern is one where vulnerable persons mask in church while those who are less vulnerable are dropping masking. Those who are feeling unwell -- even a bit -- are staying home, which is always the right choice.
The most vulnerable among us -- the immunocompromised, in this case -- are the people who must take the greatest precautions. In some cases I am bringing the Holy Sacrament to these parishioners on a monthly basis; in others, they are coming to church on Wednesdays when there are fewer people in the building; in others, online worship access continues to be their choice until better or safer arrangements can be made.
The point I am trying to make is that we are gradually moving into yet another "next phase" of the pandemic -- one where real risk continues and reasonable precautions should be taken, but where more people are ready to take some additional risk. For some this will mean coming back to church for the first time or attending the midweek Eucharist. For others, it will mean wearing a good-quality mask while in the building, and for yet others it will mean laying aside the mask unless the community rate of disease or a new and troubling variant changes the picture dramatically.
This phase was eventually going to come. It took us two and a half year to get here, but it could change on a dime (as we have seen before); we know how to deal with it should this happen -- by going back to universal masking or, God forbid, online worship in the worst case scenario. Again: the pandemic isn't over; it (and our response) is changing.
For now, however, we are embracing even more intentionally the official policy our parish has used for some time with regard to masking: "All may, some should, none must." No one -- and this must be our practice -- places a judgment on you about what choice you make in this matter.
I am proud of how you continue to navigate this confusing journey; the creativity, focus, and flexibility you have shown has been exemplary. As new people are being brought to the parish they are finding an open, respectful, and healing community in a time where these are in short supply.
The main thing, as always, is to love God and each other and to share to the maximal way possible in the common life of the parish as "we gather to experience the Holy Trinity through Scripture, worship, study, and fellowship" and "share the Gospel by the example of our everyday lives."
Brandon+
Also...
St. Mary's Day attendance and offering
We had a very good turnout for St. Mary's Day, especially when one considers it was a Monday evening and quite a warm day.
The spirit was joyous. Having all ages out for a mid-week Eucharist was a first for a long time. Fr. Powell's preaching wise and engaging, the liturgy beautiful, and the fellowship afterwards a welcome renewal of past patterns in new forms. Thank you ALL -- and there were many hands involved -- for the work put in to helping this be a great St. Mary's Day.
The offering taken up that night (for Simonka Place in Keizer) amounted to $345.00. Thank you for giving to such a valuable and important cause in our community.
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Monday Evening Online Study Resumes September 19!
Our Monday Night book discussion / faith group will start up again later in September. We will be starting with "Love is the Way" by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. Our gatherings begin at 7 PM via Zoom and last for about and hour and fifteen minutes -- ending with Compline.
If you wish to participate, please obtain a copy of the book (in whatever format works for you). Then, contact Fr. Brandon so that he can add your name and e-mail address to the invite list. If you need help with the cost of the book, please also tell him (used copies online are often sold for very little money).
Online book / faith discussion is a wonderful way to meet other parishioners (believe it or not) and yields some truly special conversation, sharing. and learning. New members are especially welcome. Please consider joining, even if it cannot be each week. You are cordially invited!
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Pandemic-related worship notes
All may wear a mask while at church
Some should wear a mask (especially those most vulnerable)
None must wear a mask
- Good-quality masks are available on the narthex table for anyone to take.
- Air filtration/cleaning operates at all liturgies. This assists in lessening exposure to airborne pathogens during public worship.
- If you are traveling and there is an Episcopal / Anglican church near you, consider worshipping there. Sunday remains a holy day, wherever we go.
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Wednesday Holy Eucharist, 10 AM
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The midweek service during summer continues with worship followed by refreshments and conversation. Experience the slower, meditative character of classical Anglican liturgy, using well-prayed liturgical language.
During worship there is plenty of room for people to spread out. The air-cleaning system is activated. Those who desire to do so may stay after for conversation, while others choose to move on with the rest of their day---no questions asked or judgments made.
Come and see!
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Please use the mailing address
St. Timothy's Episcopal Church
P.O. Box 7416
Salem, OR 97303
When mailing items to the church. Thank you!
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St. Timothy's Parish Office Hours:
Tuesday-Friday, 9 AM - Noon; 1 PM - 3 PM
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+ At the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Timothy our Patron, and all the Holy Saints of God, may you be strengthened for service, showing forth the glory of God in all you do, think, and say. Amen.
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