St. James Episcopal Church-North Providence

Sharing this pastoral letter from The Rev. Scott A. Ciosek, Rector at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Dartmouth.

A PASTORAL LETTER FROM OUR RECTOR

November 6, 2024

Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church

Our church was open for prayer all day yesterday, Election Day. I am grateful to our lay prayer leaders, to Reverend Faith Mbutia, and to those who came to the 7PM Service. As I mentioned at the evening prayer service, as we did not yet know the results of the election, that the ultimate point in our gathering was knowing that we are always held in the hands of God no matter what life throws at us.

We live in a world filled with anxiety and uncertainty and this morning that was amplified for many of us. I am also reminded that we are called to be people of hope. I was reminded this morning of the words of the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans:

"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8.38-39).

We are reminded that God is with us always and that we are always held in God’s loving embrace at every moment of our earthly journey. As St. Paul writes, "nothing can separate us from the love of God."

Martin Luther King once said "we can either embrace the chaos or embrace community." We are called to be the change that we want to see in the world. As God’s Church, the election results should propel us to do more, to become more. That, for us, is our great Christian hope. May we all deepen our commitment to this parish, our community of faith, to do the work that is important to Jesus and to strengthen our sense of community! May we recommit to being the church and double our efforts to bring good news to the poor and to those who need us most.

All of this highlights our need to care for one another. If anyone is in need of emotional support or a "conversation partner" to process anything you are going through, please know that the staff our counseling center, The Bridge: A Center for Hope and Healing (thebridgedartmouth.org) are here for you. We recently expanded our team of staff therapists so we (conveniently) have immediate openings. If you would like to make an appointment to talk with someone, please call Kathy in our office at 508.997.0903 to schedule an appointment. We are here for you and want to support you in any way we can. What a great resource to have available to us.

We hope to see our community gathered in prayer and unity this Sunday at 10:00AM. We invite you to join us in prayer and let’s focus on building our community more and more into a community of love and support for one another in these trying times.

May God bless and hold you, one and all!

Peace,

(The Rev.) Scott A. Ciosek, Rector

If you are feeling overwhelmed and sad today, St. James Church today from 4-5 pm to have some quiet time in prayer. We are all welcoming, inclusive community, no matter your walk in life or your spiritual journey. No exceptions- all welcome at St. James.

If you are feeling nervous about today, take some time to be with God, even if it is just 15 minutes watching this Prayer Vigil. Click on link below.

He gives us rest.

Wednesday Morning Prayer on Facebook has been moved to 6 a.m. because of ending of Daylight Saving Times.

Episcopal Church welcomes Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe in virtual churchwide ceremony

Find links to the recorded service; worship service booklet; Bishop Rowe’s sermon; and event photos here: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/publicaffairs/episcopal-church-welcomes-presiding-bishop-sean-rowe-in-virtual-churchwide-ceremony/

The Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs

REMINDER: Please email your dearly departed names for the bulletin, no later than today & don't forget clocks change tonight!

What a blessing to have seen God work through 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗿𝘆 as he has inspired so many of us to deepen our faith in the way of love!

Thank you St. Thomas for this post!

A Blessed Allhallowtide to one and all. We hope that as you enjoy all the fun and festivities of the secular observance of Halloween, you will remember the traditions and holiness of these days.

Couldn't help but share this one! We had the blessing of Rev. Empy Schneider as one of our wonderful supply priest over the last several months, along with her son, Adam as guest organist at St. James. This should be a great event!

Please share!

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