Tag Archives: St Luke in the Fields

Presidential Visit Recap, With Photos

  By Christian Paolino | May 3, 2013 - 2:03 pm | ,
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Last night completed a busy week for us, as IntegrityUSA’s President, the Rev. Dr. Caroline Hall, made her way around our area to meet with folks and talk about the work of LGBT inclusion in our churches.

On Saturday, April 27th, she spent the afternoon at a Believe Out Loud Congregational Workshop at St. James’ Church in Hackettstown, N.J.

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Participants in a Believe Out Loud Workshop at St. James’: Hackettstown

She was up early again the next day and headed north to Christ Church in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., home of the Mid-Hudson Dignity-Integrity Chapter.  There, she offered the sermon and led a forum afterwards.

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The Right Rev. Mark Beckwith and the Rev. Dr. Caroline Hall at Episcopal House, April 30th, 2013

On Tuesday, April 30th, Dr. Hall met with the Right Rev. Mark Beckwith, Bishop of Newark.  They explored the history of LGBT inclusion in the area, which began with the ordination of Robert Williams back in 1989 and the formation of The OASIS as a diocesan ministry to gay and lesbian Episcopalians.  We also discussed possible ways we could work together to promote mission work in the LGBT community.

That evening, we hosted an “open house” event at St. Paul’s Church, Chatham.  After reading excerpts from her new book A Thorn in the Flesh, Dr. Hall participated in a spirited conversation with the multi-generational audience about the ways Integrity’s focus is shifting and how we can continue to be an asset to the church.

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Greg Newton, Proprietor of the BGSQD Bookstore, Introduces The Rev. Dr. Caroline Hall

On Wednesday, Dr. Hall took lunch with students and faculty at General Theological Seminary in New York.  That evening, she hosted a “meet the author” event at the Bureau of General Services: Queer Division, a new pop-up LGBT bookstore and gallery on the Lower East Side.

It was interesting to take this subject matter into a secular space, where those less familiar with our movement’s history within the church could bring different contexts and perspectives to the conversation.

Finally, on Thursday, May 2nd, Dr. Hall led an adult form at the Church of St. Luke in the Fields in the West Village, unofficial “mother church” of the NYC-Metro Chapter.

Now, as Dr. Hall continues her journey by heading to the Boston area, the NYC-area leadership team takes a breath before gearing up for the next wave of events as we move into Pride season.

We offer our profound thanks to the Rev. Dr. Cathy Deats, the Rev. William Blake Rider, the Rev. Mary Davis, the Rev. Caroline Stacey and their congregations, The Rev.  Lang Lowrey III, and the faculty and staff of General Theological Seminary, and Mr. Greg Newton of the BGSQD Bookstore for their hospitality during Dr. Hall’s visit.

Dr. Caroline Hall addresses an adult forum at St. Luke in the Fields in NYC, May 2nd, 2013

Dr. Caroline Hall addresses an adult forum at St. Luke in the Fields in NYC, May 2nd, 2013

Dr. Caroline Hall addresses an adult forum at St. Luke in the Fields in NYC, May 2nd, 2013

Dr. Caroline Hall addresses an adult forum at St. Luke in the Fields in NYC, May 2nd, 2013

 

 

 

Singer Rosanne Cash Donates Song to St. Luke’s LGBT Programs

  By Christian Paolino | February 6, 2013 - 8:45 am |
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Singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash has donated all the proceeds from a new song she composed to the LGBT outreach programs at the Church of St. Luke in the Fields.

The song, which tells the story of a male couple whom Cash befriended through the church, may be purchased for download at the parish website.

Cash will appear at a charity auction at St. Luke’s on Mardi Gras, February 12th.

For more on this story, click here.

Parsippany Teen Comes Out, Gets “Standing O”

  By Christian Paolino | January 27, 2013 - 10:11 pm | , ,
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Parsippany, N.J., high school student Jacob Rudolph walked to the podium to accept the “Class Actor” award, his school community had no idea that he was about to quit acting… as a straight person.

Rudolph, 18, chose the opportunity to reveal to classmates and teachers that he is LGBT (he deliberately does not identify with a particular “label”), and their response was heartwarming, thunderous applause.

“We were just stunned at the immediate, overwhelmingly positive reaction,” said Jacob’s mother. “We were so proud of that audience, so happy, so relieved, we couldn’t believe it. Then we remembered to get up and cheer.”

Jacob said the irony of being given the award was not lost on him, and he was tired of spending every day pretending to be someone he isn’t.

“Sure, I’ve been in a few plays and musicals, but more importantly, I’ve been acting every single day of my life. You see, I’ve been acting as someone I’m not…you see me acting the part of straight Jacob, when I am in fact LGBT.”

His dad captured the speech on video:

“I’ve sat in that auditorium for plays, meetings, concerts, awards ceremonies, rehearsals. I never imagined it as a venue for something as momentous as Jacob’s revelation,” said the Rev. Susan Sica, Vicar of St. Gregory’s Church in Parsippany. “Well done Jacob, and well done, PHS. I add my applause and good wishes, though praying for the time when none will have to ‘come out’ there or anywhere else because they’ve never been ‘put in.’” St. Gregory’s is currently in the discernment process for the Believe Out Loud Episcopal Congregations program.

New Jersey is lucky to have a number of organizations advocating for the protection and support of its LGBT kids, including the North Jersey chapter of GLSEN, the Gay Lesbian & Straight Education Network.

A number of our congregations have or support groups for LGBT people, or families with an LGBT member:

These are just a few examples of what our congregations are doing A growing number of them are in discernment for or have already become a Believe Out Loud Episcopal Congregation  and supporting Integrity’s work as Proud Parish Partners.   We would love to add yours to the list!

2012 Christmas Services Guide

  By Christian Paolino | December 23, 2012 - 9:07 am |
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Integrity NYC-Metro is once again pleased to compile a list of Christmas services at our Proud Parish Partners.  You will be welcomed to observe the Nativity of Jesus at these congregations throughout our area.

Manhattan

SERVICE SCHEDULE:

  • Mon., December 24th – Christmas Eve
    • 9:30 p.m. – Music
    • 10:00 p.m. – Procession & Festival Eucharist with reception following
  • Tue., December 25th – Christmas Day
    • 10:00 a.m. – Festival Eucharist with traditional carols, reception follows
  • Sun., December 30th – First Sunday in Christmastide
    • 11:00 a.m. – Choral Eucharist
  • Tue., January 1st – New Year’s Day
    • 6:15 p.m. – Holy Eucharist
  • Sat., January 5th – Dia de los Reyes
    • 5:00 p.m. – Misa en Español
  • Sun., January 6th – Epiphany
    • 11:00 a.m. – Festival Eucharist & Episcopal Visitation with instruments & choir

SERVICE SCHEDULE:

  • Mon., December 24th – Christmas Eve
    • 5:00 p.m. – Christmas Pageant & Eucharist
    • 9:30 p.m. – Prelude & Congregational Caroling
    • 10:00 p.m. – Festive Choral Eucharist, reception follows
  • Sun., December 25th – Christmas Day
    • 10:30 a.m. – Choral Eucharist
  • Sun., December 30th – First Sunday in Christmastide
    • 8:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist (traditional language)
    • 10:30 a.m. – Choral Eucharist
  • Tue., January 1st – New Year’s Day
    • 12:00 noon – Holy Eucharist
  • Sun., January 6th – Epiphany
    • 8:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist (traditional language)
    • 10:30 a.m. – Choral Eucharist

SERVICE SCHEDULE:

  • Mon., December 24th – Christmas Eve
    • 4:00 p.m. – Family Service
    • 10:00 p.m. – Candlelight Service
  • Tue., December 25th – Christmas Day
    • 11:00 a.m. – Christmas Service
  • Sun., December 30th – First Sunday in Christmastide
    • 11:00 a.m. – Sunday Eucharist
  • St. Michael’s
    225 W 99 St (Broadway/Amsterdam)
    (212) 222-2700
    Transit: 96 St (0.2 mi SW) 123

SERVICE SCHEDULE:

  • Mon., December 24th – Christmas Eve
    • 4:45 p.m. – Prelude
    • 5:00 p.m.  – Family Christmas Service
    • 10:00 p.m. – Prelude
    • 10:30 p.m. – Christmas Eve “Midnight Mass”
  • Tue., December 25th – Christmas Day
    • 10:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist
  • Sun., December 30th – First Sunday in Christmastide
    • 7:45 a.m. – Holy Eucharist
    • 10:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist with Christmas Lessons & Carols
  • Sun., January 6th – Epiphany
    • 7:45 a.m. – Holy Eucharist
    • 10:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist
    • 6:00 p.m. – Holy Eucharist

New Jersey

SERVICE SCHEDULE

  • Mon., December 24th – Christmas Eve
    • 4:00 p.m. – Family Eucharist
    • 5:30 p.m. – Family Eucharist
    • 10:30 p.m. – Musical Prelude
    • 11:00 p.m. “Midnight Mass”
  • Tue., December 25th – Christmas Day
    • 10:30 a.m. – Holy Eucharist
  • Sun., December 30th – First Sunday in Christmastide
    • 8:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist
    • 10:30 a.m. – Holy Eucharist
  • Sun., January 6th – Epiphany
    • 8:00 a.m – Holy Eucharist
    • 9:30 a.m. – Family Eucharist
    • 11:15 a.m. – Choral Eucharist

SERVICE SCHEDULE:

  • Sun., December 23rd – Advent IV
    • 7:00 p.m. – “Longest Night” service of solace for those struggling with the holidays
  • Mon., December 24th – Christmas Eve
    • 11:00 p.m. Candlelight Eucharist
  • Tue., December 25th – Christmas Day
    • 9:00 a.m.  – Quiet Chapel Eucharist
  • Sun., December 30th – First Sunday in Christmastide
    • 8:00 a.m. – Quiet Chapel Eucharist
    • 10:30 a.m. – Inclusive Language Eucharist with Choir
  • Sun., January 6th – Epiphany
    • 8:00 a.m. – Quiet Chapel Eucharist
    • 10:30 a.m. – Inclusive Language Eucharist with Choir

 

SERVICE SCHEDULE

  • Mon., December 24th – Christmas Eve
    • 4:00 p.m. – Children’s Pageant & Holy Eucharist
    • 9:00 p.m. – Candlelight Holy Eucharist
  • Tue., December 25th – Christmas Day
    • 10:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist
  • Sun., December 30th – First Sunday in Christmastide
    • 8:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist
    • 9:00 a.m. – “All God’s Children” Service (child focused including kids with special needs)
    • 10:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist with choir
  • Sun., January 6th – Epiphany
    • 8:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist
    • 9:00 a.m. – “All God’s Children” Service (child focused including kids with special needs)
    • 10:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist with choir

SERVICE SCHEDULE

  • Fri., December 21st – Winter Solstice
    • 7:30 p.m. – Blue Christmas Service of solace for those struggling to cope with the holidays
  • Sun., December 23rd – Advent IV
    • 8:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist
    • 10:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist
    • 4:00 p.m. – Greening of the Church & Pot Luck
  • Mon., December 24th – Christmas Eve
    • 7:00 p.m. – Family Eucharist & Children’s Pageant
    • 11:00 p.m. – “Midnight Mass” by candlelight
  • Tue., December 25th – Christmas Day
    • 10:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist
  • Sun., December 30th – First Sunday in Christmastide
    • 8:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist
    • 10:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist with choir
  • Sun., January 6th – Epiphany
    • 8:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist
    • 10:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist with choir

Downstate

SERVICE SCHEDULE

  • Sun., December 23rd – Advent IV
    • 9:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist
    • 10:30 a.m. – Children’s Service with Christmas Pageant
  • Mon., December 24th – Christmas Eve
    • 4:00 p.m. – Children’s Eucharist
    • 7:00 p.m. – Family Eucharist
    • 10:00 p.m. – First Service of Christmas
  • Sun., December 30th – First Sunday in Christmastide
    • 9:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist with music
    • 10:30 a.m. – Holy Eucharist with music
  • Sun., January 6th – Epiphany
    • 9:00 a.m – Holy Eucharist with music
    • 10:30 a.m. – Children’s Service for Epiphany
  • Christ Church: Tarrytown
    (914) 631-2074
    43 South Broadway, Tarrytown, N.Y.

SERVICE SCHEDULE:

  •  Mon. December 24th – Christmas Eve
    • 4:00 p.m. Christmas Pageant & Holy Eucharist
    • 10:30 p.m- Choral Prelude & Christmas Service,
  • Tue. December 25th – Christmas
    • 11:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
  • Sun. December 30th -  The First Sunday in Christmastide
    • 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
    • 10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
    • 12:30 p.m., La Santa Misa
  • Sun. January 6th – Epiphany
    • 10:00 a.m. Epiphany Pageant & Holy Eucharist:
      (English/Spanish)

SERVICE SCHEDULE

  • Sun., December 23rd – Advent IV
    • 9:30 a.m. – Eucharist at St. Paul’s-on-the-Hill
  • Mon., December 24th – Christmas Eve
    • 8:00 p.m. – Solemn Eucharist (prelude at 7:45)
  • Sun., December 30th – First Sunday in Christmastide
    • 10:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist

Sermon by Bishop Andrew St. John at Pride Evensong

  By Christian Paolino | June 27, 2012 - 11:23 pm |
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We are grateful for the opportunity to share the sermon given by the Right Rev. Andrew St. John, former Assistant Bishop of Melbourne in the Anglican Church of Australia and the present Rector of the Church of the Transfiguration in N.Y.C., at the annual Evensong at the Church of St. Luke in the Fields, following the NYC Pride March on June 24th, 2012.

>Jan Nunley’s Sermon From Our Feb. 10th Eucharist

  By Christian Paolino | March 8, 2012 - 11:08 pm | Uncategorized
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>As promised, we have posted the sermon from our Feb. 10th Eucharist at St. Luke in the Fields, by the Rev. Jan Nunley, an award-winning journalist who helped bring the Episcopal News Service into the digital age.

Since our service was observing the Feast of Cornelius the Centurion, Jan explained what we know about the two men who the Bible identifies as  Centurions, positing they may have in fact been the same person, and – by exploring some variables in possible translation – positing that the relationship between Cornelius and the “slave” whom Jesus heals may have been slightly more romantic in nature than that between a soldier and his servant would imply. The Greek word pais, which modern English translations of the Bible take to mean “slave” or “servant” is argued by some scholars to actually be an affectionate term for the younger member of a male couple.

For further reading, Jan suggests the following:

>Good times with Integrity/NYC-Metro on February 10th

  By Convener | February 13, 2012 - 5:13 pm | Uncategorized
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>Forty eight people turned out for Integrity/NYC-Metro’s Eucharist and Social on Friday, February 10th, at The Church of St. Luke in the Fields. The Rev. Jon M. Richardson, Priest-in-Charge of St. Paul’s, Bergen and Integrity Vice President of National Affairs presided; The Rev. Dn. Kent Curtis of All Saints, Manhattan, served as deacon; and The Rev. Jan Nunley, parishioner-priest at St. Peter’s, Peekskill stirred everyone up with a great sermon.

We were blessed with presence of Integrity‘s founder, Louie Crew. It was also wonderful to have some folks who were checking out the Episcopal Church for the very first time, as they had heard of the event through NYU’s campus ministry. The social went on for over an hour and a half, until the hall finally had to be locked for the evening. (Rumor has it that some folks continued the party on their own!)

The steering committee was very pleased by the response, and is planning another Eucharist and Social for early May. We are hoping to do something brand-new for Integrity and have a Spanish-language Eucharist in a Latino parish! Watch this blog for details.

>Eucharist & Social Scheduled for Feb. 10th

  By Christian Paolino | January 12, 2012 - 3:18 pm | Uncategorized
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>On Friday, Feb. 10th at 7:00 p.m., Integrity NYC-Metro invites everyone to join us for worship and conversation at St. Luke in the Fields, 487 Hudson Street, New York.

The Rev. Jon L. Richardson, Priest-in-Charge at St. Paul’s Church in Jersey City and Vice President for National Affairs for IntegrityUSA, will celebrate the Eucharist, assisted by The Rev. Deacon Kenton Curtis.  Kenton is the supervising social worker for the HIV/AIDS Initiative of The Actors Fund and serves at All Saints’ Church in Manhattan.

The Rev. Jan Nunley, an award-winning journalist who helped shepherd the Episcopal Church’s communications into the digital age, will offer the sermon. A reception and social hour will follow.

A special invitation is extended to past and present members of Integrity. We would like to get to know you and share a bit about what we’ve been up to!

St. Luke in the Fields is located at the corner of Hudson and Christopher streets in the  heart of the West Village. It is just steps away from the Christopher Street PATH station for a quick ride from New Jersey, and two short blocks from the Sheridan Square station on the #1 subway.

>World AIDS Day Observances

  By Christian Paolino | November 24, 2010 - 2:45 pm | Uncategorized
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>

WORLD AIDS DAY OBSERVANCES IN NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY DEC. 1

On Wednesday, December 1st, the chapter will participate in World AIDS Day observances on both sides of the Hudson.

New York

At 6:15 p.m. we will join Episcopal Response to AIDS at St. Luke in-the-Fields, 487 Hudson Street, for their annual World AIDS Day Eucharist. The Rev. Hugh M. Grant will celebrate the Eucharist, and The Rev. Mary Foulke will preach.

ERA’s 2011 Grant Awards will be announced at the reception following immediately after the service. Please join us! Everyone is welcome to our table

To submit names of the departed, infected and affected for inclusion in the Prayers of the People and/or to RSVP, please email WAD@erany.org. If you are unable to attend the event but would like to support the work of ERA, please visit www.erany.org to make a secure on-line donation, or mail a check made payable to “Episcopal Response to AIDS” to:

ERA
1047 Amsterdam Ave
New York, NY 10025

Thank you!

Transportation:

33 ST Christopher Street Station
Christopher St./Sheridan Square
M08 – West St. Crosstown Christopher & Greenwich Sts.

New Jersey

World AIDS Day: A Service of Remembrance and Healing

At 7:30 p.m., we will join The OASIS and Positive Connections, a support group for people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, in an observance of World AIDS Day at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 380 Clifton Avenue, Clifton. The Rev. Peter DeFranco, Rector of St. Peter’s, will officiate and Gary Paul Wright, a leader in the state’s response to HIV/AIDS, will be the guest speaker.

A panel from the AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on display, with thanks to The Names Project of North Jersey. During the Remembrance of the Dead, candles will be lighted by members of the congregation in memory of people who have died of AIDS. A social will follow the service. All are welcome.

Transportation:

74 Paterson – Newark
190 Paterson – NYC
705 Passaic Bus Term		 Main Ave. & Clifton Ave.

>Bishop Christopher, Under Threat, Returns to the USA

  By Chap James Day | October 25, 2010 - 10:17 pm | Uncategorized
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>

Below is a message from Albert Ogle, VP of National Affairs for Integrity USA as posted this evening on Walking With Integrity. As you may know, Bishop Senyonjo visited the New York area this past June, speaking at St. Luke in the Fields and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. This article is also of additional interest, as Bishop Sisk of New York has addressed concerns related to Bishop Senyonjo’s safety to the Archbishop of Canterbury.
When Bishop Christopher Senyonjo’s picture showed up on the front page of a Ugandan paper under the headline, “100 Top Homos – hang them,” Integrity supporters of the bishop and his work became ever more concerned about the growing climate of homophobia in Uganda.

Other LGBT leaders were also targeted and Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) has been providing emergency counseling and shelter for some of the victims of this latest wave of public violence.

The inflammatory story in “Rolling Stone” (no connection to the USA version) was published just as I returned from a visit to Uganda with Pastor Joseph Tolton of The Fellowship in New York. I quickly made contact with the bishop and his staff. So far, they are all safe and are asking for our prayers. I now try to communicate with him on a daily basis.

Our trip to Uganda was very productive and informative. Organizers in Uganda, including Integrity Uganda, have formed a Civil Society Coalition of 34 partner organizations.. This coalition successfully challenged the “Rolling Stone” in Ugandan courts and it was mandated to close its doors. The coalition will also consider additional legal strategies and will make all legal resources available to stop this latest phase of the anti-gay witch hunt which appears to have support from some American based churches.

Earlier this week the Rt. Rev, Mark Sisk, Bishop of New York, wrote a private letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury expressing his concern that Bishop Senyonjo had been so publically targeted in the newspaper. Sadly, the Archbishop has remained silent on this. Instead, he voiced his concern about the election and consecration of Mary Douglas Glasspool as Bishop Suffragan in the Diocese of Los Angeles. Here’s what he had to say:

“The decision of the American Church to go forward, as it has, with the ordination of a lesbian bishop has, I think, set us back. At the moment I’m not certain how we will approach the next primates’ meeting, but regrettably some of the progress that I believe we had made has not remained steady. Alongside that, and I think this is important, while the institutions of the Communion struggle, in many ways the mutual life of the Communion, the life of exchange and co-operation between different parts of our Anglican family, is quite strong and perhaps getting stronger. It’s a paradox”.

Yes, well, here’s what I find as a paradox: that a photograph of heterosexual bishop of the Anglican Church of Uganda appears on the front cover of a magazine with the headline: “Hang Them” without any outrage from his fellow bishops. This story made international news, was reported on CNN, in the UK and in the Washington Post, yet, no-one within Anglican Church leadership circles rose to his defense, except Bishop Sisk.

Regardless of his lack of church support, Bishop Christopher continues to preach an inclusive gospel of a loving God to everyone, including his enemies. Please keep him and his persecuted community in your prayers. Write to the Archbishop of Canterbury. Let him know of your support for Bishop Christopher and ask him to join all of us in respecting the dignity of every human being.

You will also have another opportunity to support the brave bishop and his work. Bishop Christopher will soon return to the United States along with his wife Mary (an equally brave and courageous leader who has watched their beloved Church of Uganda’s behavior towards her family). They will arrive in California on November 14th and will be visiting New Orleans (December 5th at St. Anne’s) Atlanta (St. Bartholomew’s on December 12th) and will have two consultative meetings in New York and Washington DC around immigration and asylum issues for the USA around LGBT people. For more information on his visit and an update on the difficult legal situation he and his friends are facing, stay posted or join his Facebook page.