St. Mary's Episcopal Church Kansas City

Don't Miss this Weeks News from St. Mary's - July 19, 2024 Justin, check out the latest news including Dinner for 8, Summerfest, St. Mary Magdalene, Recognition, Mary Day, Installation, Jr. Wardens Report, and more! From the National Church: Trump Rally Assas

We are thrilled to welcome the Reverend Morgan Mercer Ladd as our new Associate Rector at St. Paul’s!

Mother Morgan brings a wealth of experience and passion from her previous roles at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Garden City, NY. She has been instrumental in developing intergenerational faith formation and co-founding the Center for Spiritual Imagination, a community dedicated to contemplative Christianity.

Mother Morgan will begin her ministry with us on Sunday, August 25. Join us for a festive coffee hour following the service that day to welcome her and meet her family!

This exciting news reflects the vibrant movement of the Holy Spirit in our midst and the dedication of our community. We are grateful for your support and look forward to a hope-filled future together!

Today’s Gospel recounts the beheading of John the Baptist.

As the story goes, Herod married his brother’s wife to which John the baptizer objected. As a result of his wife’s grudge towards John, Herod had him arrested. After the imprisonment, Herod while at a banquet held in honor of his birthday, promised his daughter a gift. She immediately went to ask her mother what she should say and was told to request the head of John the Baptist. Herod being in front of dinner guests, reluctantly honored this request and had his men bring back the head of John on a silver platter.

In today’s sermon, Fr. Sean highlighted the call for all of us to be like John the Baptist pointing our lives towards Jesus. In his discourse he mentioned the painting of John in the wilderness housed at the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, right here in Kansas City. Later some parishioners from church went to the museum and were able to stand in front of this magnificent work of art.

Below is the description that is placed next to the painting on display at the museum.

“This masterpiece, one of the Museum's greatest treasures, is one of only a few original works by Caravaggio in American collections. Although he never accepted pupils, Caravaggio's enormous influence on other artists (including many represented in this gallery) played a vital role in the development of the Italian Baroque. In this Saint John the Baptist, Caravaggio has traded idealism for what oftentimes became in his own time a controversial realism. He has literally stripped the Baptist of nearly all traditional attributes (halo, lamb and banderole inscribed Ecce Agnus Dei or Behold the Lamb of God) leaving the brooding intensity of the saint's emotional state as the subject of the painting. Saint John's solemn pensiveness is reinforced by a Caravaggio trademark: the dramatic contrast of deep, opaque shadows, playing across his body and shrouding the sockets of his eyes, with a bright light that illuminates the Baptist from above and to his right. This stark contrast of light and darkness, the brilliant scarlet of the saint's cloak and Caravaggio's placement of him in the foreground, close to our own space, all contribute to the dramatic impact of the painting. Evidence of Caravaggio's working method, in which he incised lines into the gesso ground to guide his hand while painting, can be easily seen along the sitter's left leg in the right corner. Caravaggio most likely borrowed the Baptist's pose from one of Michelangelo's seated prophets and sibyls on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, Rome.

Caravaggio's Saint John the Baptist was commissioned by a Roman banker, Ottavio Costa, for a small, private chapel on his estate near Genoa. The saint’s brooding melancholy surely inspired silence and introspection in those who visited the chapel, an effect recorded in a guidebook of 1624:

“Before ascending to the…church, in the narrow but fruitful valley, one comes upon a small, holy oratory…formerly the parish church, restored in the modern style in honor of that mysterious nightingale who announces the coming of Christ, St. John the Baptist. The image of him in the desert, mourning human miseries, was painted by the famous Michelangelo Caravaggio, and it moves not only the brothers but also visitors to penitence.”

Coincidentally, there is another painting in the same room which depicts the beheading of John the Baptist painted by Dutch artist Hendrick Terbrugghen.

Collect for Peace:

Almighty God, kindle, we beseech thee, in every heart the true love of peace, and guide with thy wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth, that in tranquillity thy dominion may increase till the earth is filled with the knowledge of thy love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

Don't Miss this Weeks News from St. Mary's - July 12, 2024 Justin, check out the latest news including Disability Pride, Summerfest, St. Macrina, Recognition, Donations Needed, and more! Parish Photos: Confirmation Photos Congratulations Megan & Peter! May yo

“Every hour of our life is an ending and at the same time a new beginning. In every hour we can experience eternal life if we turn ourselves over to God.” - Nathan Söderblom (1866-1931), Archbishop of Uppsala & Ecumenist

Nathan Söderblom was a founder of the 20th century Christian ecumenical movement. In 1914 he became Archbishop of Uppsala in the Lutheran Church of Sweden and labored during World War I to improve the conditions of prisoners and refugees. He was awarded the Noble prize in 1930, recognized as an advocate for human rights. Söderblom hoped to work toward unity between Orthodox, Catholic, and Evangelical churches and believed that cooperation in the ministry of social causes was a key to establishing greater understanding and respect between different Christian groups. The end goal of church unity, he believed, should be the presentation of the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.

Almighty God, we give you thanks for the ministry of Nathan Söderblom, who labored that the Church of Jesus Christ might be one: Grant that we, instructed by his teaching and example, and knit together in unity by your Spirit, may ever stand firm upon the one foundation, which is Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Art & bio by Ben Lansing,

PREORDER the book 📚 ourchurchspeaks.com

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Lord Jesus Christ, by your death you took away the sting of death: Grant to us your servants so to follow in faith where you have led the way, that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in you and wake up in your likeness; for your tender mercies’ sake. Amen.

Book of Common Prayer. p. 123.

A few more photos from last nights confirmation and reception! - Thank you William Stockton

“Whatever good work you begin to do, beg of God with most earnest prayer to perfect it.” - Benedict of Nursia (480-550), Abbot of Monte Cassino

Benedict lived during the declining years of Roman civilization in Western Europe. Benedict was troubled by the corruption and selfishness that plagued civilization as it crumbled into chaos. He left the comforts of society to fast and pray in a remote cave. His faith attracted others who wanted to join him. Soon, Benedict was founding monastic communities to accommodate the many pilgrims he was attracting. Taking inspiration from ancient African monastic principles, Benedict wrote the influential ‘Rule of Saint Benedict,’ establishing patterns of prayer and common labor (“Ora et Labora”) devoted to the glory of God and the good of society. Benedict was known for his selflessness and resilient faith. With each small portion of dinner he received at his monastery, he would feed a morsel to a raven. This act of selflessness would save his life. When a disgruntled monk poisoned Benedict’s bread, the raven grabbed the bread and flew out a nearby window. Benedict’s faith and selflessness helped save not only his own life, but the fate of society. With his sister Scholastica, Benedict established communities for men and women that transformed society through prayer and labor. The institutions (hospitals, schools, universities) and industry (arts, science, agriculture) cultivated in these monastic communities over the following centuries were fundamental to the rebirth of Western European civilization.

O God, your blessed Son became poor for our sake, and chose the Cross over the kingdoms of this world: Deliver us from an inordinate love of worldly things, that we, inspired by the devotion of your servant Benedict, may seek you with singleness of heart, behold your glory by faith, and attain to the riches of your everlasting kingdom, where we shall be united with our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Art & bio by Ben Lansing

PREORDER the book ourchurchspeaks.com

Congratulations Megan & Peter!

May your confirmation and reception into the Episcopal Church fill you with a renewed sense of the Holy Spirit, and a fire within you to boldly go out and fervently love the Lord and your neighbor!

Thank you Bishop Diane Jardine Bruce for a moving service!

A few pictures from tonight's confirmation and reception. -Thank you Jim Ismert.

Reminder!
Confirmations this evening.

Please join us as we celebrate the sacramental rite of confirmation this evening at 7pm.(The regularly scheduled mass at 6pm is cancelled.)

The Rt. Rev. Diane Jardine Bruce will preside over the mass and impose the rites of confirmation and reception upon Megan Moore and Peter Brown.

A light reception will follow the liturgy.

Please join women from around the diocese for a retreat with a variety of activities on Saturday, July 13th, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The Rev. Carol Sanford will lead a women’s retreat themed "Wonder, Love, & Praise.”

Located at Church of the Good Shepherd, 4947 NE Chouteau Drive,Kansas City, MO 64119.

(One block east of Chouteau Trafficway)

Registration is $20 per person, which includes lunch and a continental breakfast. You can send a check payable to Church of the Good Shepherd or pay at the door.

Please contact Fr. Galen Snodgrass ([email protected]) by July 7th if you will attend, noting any dietary restrictions.

Don't Miss this Weeks News from St. Mary's - July 05, 2024 Justin, check out the latest news including Women's Retreat, Benedict of Nursia, Confirmations, Donations Needed, and more! Church Calendar: Women’s Retreat lead by Rev. Carol Sandford. Saturday, July

The Diocese of West Missouri is thrilled to announce that the Church of the Redeemer in Kansas City has called the Rev. Miranda Cully to be their next Rector. The Rev. Miranda will be joining Church of the Redeemer beginning September 3rd, 2024.

Everliving God, strengthen and sustain Miranda Cully that with patience and understanding she may love and care for your people; and grant that together they may follow Jesus Christ, offering to you their gifts and talents; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for every and ever. Amen.

https://ow.ly/KIop50SuYJq

The 2024 Diocesan Budget allocated funds for “Area Bookkeeper(s)” to provide financial recordkeeping assistance to our churches. If your church could benefit from this support service, please attend our upcoming listening session on July 16 at 7 pm via Zoom. Your input will be valuable in helping us build these role(s) that will serve you best.

Please register by clicking the link below. If you have any questions or require more information, please contact Fr. Chas Marks at [email protected].

https://ow.ly/SA0050SlVCY

Reflection on today’s Gospel…

Today the Church rememberers Blessed Pauli Murray, a lawyer and legal scholar whose work paved the way for civil rights for people of color, women, and lgbtq+ people. She was also the first black woman to be ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church.

From her autobiography, ““All the strands of my life had come together. Descendant of slave and of slave owner, I had already been called poet, lawyer, teacher, and friend. Now I was empowered to minister the sacrament of One in whom there is no north or south, no black or white, no male or female – only the spirit of love and reconciliation drawing us all toward the goal of human wholeness.”

Feast of Sts. Peter & Paul

Almighty God, whose blessed apostles Peter and Paul glorified you by their martyrdom: Grant that your Church, instructed by their teaching and example, and knit together in unity by your Spirit, may ever stand firm upon the one foundation, which is Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Unity in Diversity: A Dialogue on Dismantling Racism

Please join us for this four-part series on July 30th at 7:00pm via Zoom using the following link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85322697079.

(Future dates will be announced after each meeting.)

If you have problems with the zoom link, please call Deacon Lynda at 913-909-9504.

As part of our faith and diversity dialogue at St. Mary’ we will begin a discussion built around the podcast “Seeing White”. "Seeing White," is a thought-provoking podcast series from Scene on Radio that delves deeply into the complexities and nuances of race and whiteness in America. The series stands out for its compelling narrative and thorough research, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the historical and societal constructs of race. "Seeing White" is not just a podcast; it's an educational journey.

To prepare for the next session, please listen to episode 4, 5 and 6 at https://sceneonradio.org/seeing-white/ - click to listen to podcast.

If you would prefer reading the transcript instead, please visit https://sceneonradio.org/seeing-white/seeing-white-transcripts/

Thank you. We hope you will consider joining us!

Don't Miss this Weeks News from St. Mary's - June 28, 2024 Justin, check out the latest news including New Presiding Bishop, Moses the Black, AA, Confirmations, Potluck, Brass and more! Special News: Habemus Episcopum - We have a Presiding Bishop! Sean Rowe,

The Diocese of West Missouri is pleased to announce that Christ Church of Springfield has appointed the Rev. Katherine Mansfield as Curate of Christ Church!

"She is very passionate about extending the Good News of Christ to young people."

We're so blessed to have you in our ministry, Katherine. ❤️

https://ow.ly/Y8YP50SqlNo

We have a presiding bishop!

The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe has been elected by the House of Bishops and confirmed by the House of Deputies as the 28th Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. Please join us in praying for Bishop-Elect Sean, for our church, and for the people we serve, that we may move forward with hope, committed to discipleship, and sharing the limitless love of Jesus.

Photo via the Diocese of Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania.