Collect for the Last Sunday after the Epiphany

O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,   

Blessings to you these last days of Epiphany!  On Sunday we celebrate the Transfiguration, the mountaintop experience that Peter, James and John had of seeing Jesus transformed before them, his clothes dazzling white while he talked with Elijah and Moses.  Peter was ready to start building something when a cloud overshadowed them and a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!"   

How precious mountaintop experiences are and how fleeting!  Like Peter, we want to figure out how to make the most transcendent moments of our lives last, but they cannot.  All we can do is let them go as we hold the experience deep in our heart.   These disciples were given a glimpse of Jesus in his resurrected state.  Perhaps this gave them comfort in the darkest hours of his Crucifixion.  Perhaps they were able to rehear the voice that proclaimed Jesus as God's son, the Beloved, deep in their hearts.  

Our Annual Meeting on Sunday, 5 February, was the best ever. Everyone I talked with was delighted with the turnout, the excellent food, and the sense of joy and love in the air.  Thanks to those who helped with the election, the lunch and cleanup.  And thanks also to our wonderful Vestry.  We are grateful for the good work of those whose terms have ended:  Laurel Massé, Greg Rice and Catherine Skopic.  And we rejoice that Mimi Hendricks has been reelected for another term on Vestry and Carole Wilkins for another term as Warden.  We are also delighted to have three new members to the Vestry: Bill Cassarini, Meryl Marcus and Frank Winter.  In addition, Sylvia Anastasia Bellusci was nominated from the floor.  We are pleased to hold her name as an Alternate to the Vestry in case someone is unable to complete his or her term.  If you missed the Annual Meeting and would like the 2011 Annual Report, please email Christian DeRuiter for a copy (cderuiter@stjohndivine.org).

Our first round of Interfaith Adult Education courses has just finished and was highly successful.  Thank you for your support!  We were thrilled to have 40 people partake of 4 different course offerings, the majority from the Congregation and Cathedral, but also a number of people new to Cathedral offerings.  Stay tuned as your Vestry and I, with excellent advice from Rabbi Lenny Schoolman, begin to plan future courses and seminars.  

Please join us for our last Epiphany Bible Study with Dr. Jon Aceto and myself this Sunday, 19 February, in Saint James Chapel from 10:10 to 10:40 a.m.Next Sunday, 26 February, we will begin a Lenten Sunday Bible Study at the same time and location with our seminarians from General, Brad Jones and Andy Reinholz (26 February through Palm Sunday, 1 April).

This Sunday afternoon, 19 February, is a big day for our Environmental Task Force, who, under the leadership of Catherine Skopic, is teaming up with RenewNEWYORK to present a fascinating presentation on "Wind and Water Turbines-Renewable Energy Potential for NYC."  Please come and support three excellent speakers who will discuss this important and timely topic (details below include registration and a suggested donation).   

Please join us and tell your friends about our Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner this Tuesday, 21 February from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the Cathedral House Conference and Dining Rooms. This year we will also have gluten-free and vegan pancakes, sausages and bacon, berries, whipped cream, coffee and tea. (Sounds great, huh?) (suggested donation $5).   

This Wednesday, 22 February, is Ash Wednesday.  We will be holding services at 7:30 a.m. (St. Martin of Tours), 8:30 a.m. (St. James), 12:15 p.m. (Great Choir) and 7 p.m. (Great Choir), all with Imposition of Ashes. Please take the opportunity to begin Lent with this profound reminder of mortality, "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

If you are interested in learning more about your faith and the Episcopal Church, you might consider taking the Via Media Course we offer during Lent. Via Media Classes (Latin for "the Middle Way" between Protestant and Catholic) are also for those adults interested in Baptism, Confirmation or Reception into the Episcopal Church or Reaffirmation of Baptismal Vows at the Cathedral.  Classes are held on six successive Lenten Sundays (26 February through 1 April) from 1-3 p.m. in Cathedral School.  To sign up, please contact Christian DeRuiter at 212.316.7483 or cderuiter@stjohndivine.org.

As Epiphany Season 2012 draws to a close, may we, too, open our hearts to the voice that proclaims, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!"

Epiphany blessings and love,

Vicki+

The Reverend Canon Victoria Sirota,

Canon Pastor and Vicar of the Congregation of Saint Saviour