I traveled to Israel as a tourist, but carried with me to Jerusalem my prayers as a priest. I had a little piece of scripture stuck in my passport that read: Now, you women, hear the work of the Lord; open your ears to the words of God’s mouth. Teach your daughters how to wail; teach one another a lament. Death has climbed in through our windows. - Jeremiah 9:20-21
The Wailing Wall was the most sacred and compelling place for me, as I carried my tiny little paper prayers rolled up to neatly lodge in the wall. I carried prayers for brain health, and the continued health of knees, backs, spines and feet; for the healing of hearts, eyes, livers, kidneys and lungs. I carried prayers for safety, patience and forbearance, healing in our nation, discernment to move to the next phase of life, steady mental health, for the decline of anguish, fear of unknowns, acceptance by peers, inspiration in new opportunities, and desires to be deeply loved (you may recognize yourself without me naming you in these petitions).
I carried prayers for the souls of those who had recently died. I carried prayers for those who had recently been born!
Approaching the wall, I felt that never-ending desire in me to be seen as steadfast, faithful and unflappable in the midst of a crisis.
The first wail that I heard unraveled all that.
I fell to my knees and wailed for all those I carried with me (albeit privately, in the midst of hundreds). I was not a loud wailer, but I did wail with length….so much length that our tour guide had to interrupt me and invite me back to the group….but not before I stitched into the wall all my little pieces of paper with your names on them.
I found in the wailing, an indescribable holiness, as if God had been involved in some sort of unveiling inside of me. There was a small voice that hovered gently over me, assuring me that it was ok to succumb to grief on behalf of others... and to be fully present to it. Yes, God was there with me, and with us all, as we rocked and keened while trying to engage with our understanding of God, so that our souls would ignite. We rocked and moved like the flame of a candle before the wall of tears. My prayers for you all were no longer private or hidden, but shared in that gathered community. It was a moment in time where I found myself begging for the familiar past and what once was; while naming what has occurred, and laying myself and you before the unexpected future: for what will be.
Mostly I was reminded that being the prayer-carrier and mourner was an indicator of how much love I had for you all, because you have blessed me with your stories of joys and sorrows, and hopes for restoration.
Gratefully,
Marya+
Email Update
Please note that Rev. Marya's email address is mdecarlen@comcast.net.
Her other email, RevMaryaDeCarlen@allSaintsEpiscopalnorthshore.org no longer works.
Please update your records.
In a moving witness, co-warden Carol Bouffard counts All Saints as one of her major blessings … hear why here.
Building on Our Blessings
Gratitude Brunch with a Serving Vision
Traditionally at All Saints, we host a Gratitude Brunch celebrating the closing of our stewardship campaign. This year, we will again invite you all to join us for our Gratitude Brunch at the end of worship on Sunday, November 20, at about 10:30 am.
We will also ask you to help us brainstorm our growing vision for the Comfort Cafe and Soul Space. We look forward to building on our blessings together with you!!!
The Sanctuary Lamp is available for November 27. Contact Barbara Hooper.
Calling all crafters! We are looking for people to bake, knit, crochet, quilt, make jewelry, can jam, jellies, pickles. All woodworking items welcome, as well as handmade cards and unique craft items.
Drop off for Crafts and Baked goods will be Friday December 2nd between 2:30 and 4 and Saturday at 9:30. All baked good must be wrapped and ready for sale. Cookies, brownies etc. should be bagged by the 1/2 dozen, and breads and pies should be individually wrapped or bagged.
Peabody Clergy and Ministerial Association 2022 Interfaith Thanksgiving Prayer Service November 22, 2022, 7 pm Parish of St. John the Baptist
17 Chestnut St, Peabody, MA 01960
The Danvers People to People Food Pantry
Please consider adding a few items to your shopping cart and dropping them off at church on Thursdays between 8:30 and 1:30 pm, or on Sunday mornings, or at the pantry itself.
The food pantry is asking specifically for jarred spaghetti sauce, brand name cereals and graham crackers.
Thank you for your generosity!
Diocesan News
CONVENTION NEWS Bishop Gayle E. Harris Leadership Development Fund announced during Diocesan Convention tribute
In honor of Bishop Gayle E. Harris's 20 years of service as bishop suffragan, a new fund has been established to support leadership development for women of color in the Diocese of Massachusetts.
Bishop Alan M. Gates announced the Bishop Gayle E. Harris Fund for Leadership Development for Women of Color during the recent Diocesan Convention, held Oct. 28-29 in Danvers--Harris's final one as bishop suffragan.
Harris, who has served as bishop suffragan in the Diocese of Massachusetts since January 2003, announced on Sept. 29 that she will complete her work in the diocese as of Dec. 31 of this year and then take sabbatical time ahead of her official retirement date of March 31, 2023.
Gates announced to the convention that the new fund in Harris's honor will "provide financial support for women of color in the Diocese of Massachusetts to participate in trainings, workshops or other formation programs fostering the development of leadership skills. It will be available to those furthering their gifts as lay leaders as well as persons preparing for ordained leadership."
Donations to the Bishop Gayle E. Harris Fund for Leadership Development for Women of Color are being gratefully accepted online at www.diomass.org/give-now or by mail to: The Bishop Gayle E. Harris Leadership Fund, c/o Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, 138 Tremont Street, Boston MA 02111.
In a vote described as historic by many in attendance, the 237th annual convention of the Diocese of Massachusetts, meeting Oct. 28-29 in Danvers, approved the creation of an Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts Reparations Fund "as part of our effort to address our legacy of wealth accumulated through the enslaved labor of Africans and Afro-Caribbeans on our behalf and for our use today."
The convention resolution calls for an initial pool of approximately $3 million to generate investment income for the new reparations fund. That pool is to be established in part with 15 percent of the diocese's unrestricted agency and Diocesan Council-designated endowment funds. The resolution calls for additional commitments of 15 percent of the annual draw from unrestricted trusts and bishop-directed funds, as well as 3 percent of income from parochial assessments until the reparations fund exceeds $11.1 million. The resolution also urges contributions from congregations, organizations and individuals.
You are invited to participate in the Diocese REDI Assessment Survey
The diocesan Racial Justice Commission invites all people in the diocese to take part in a Racial Equity Diversity and Inclusion (REDI) Assessment. It is an online survey that takes 30-35 minutes to complete, and is being offered by the commission's Subcommittee on Accountable Structures and Practices as "something people in our diocese can do to move us closer to the idea of Beloved Community."
“As we approach Advent, the beginning of our church year, the REDI survey provides an opportunity to pause and reflect on how we are living into our mission as Christians,” Kris Wile, subcommittee co-chair and a member of St. Elizabeth’s Church in Sudbury, said. “We hope every leader will participate--and encourage those in their communities to participate also.”
The REDI survey measures proxies for race-based discrimination, diversity, inclusion and equity in faith-based institutional settings. The results will help in gaining an understanding of the level of awareness and knowledge of racial equity culture and will help gauge perceptions of the environment for decision makers, staff and community members.
REDI survey results are confidential and are reported only in the aggregate, in a continuum format, with suggested areas to develop based on a final REDI score. This assessment will be used as a baseline in 2022 and can be taken again in the future to measure progress toward race equity goals.
Use this link for more information and to get started with the survey. The survey link is also posted at www.diomass.org/REDI-Assessment.
Questions about the survey may be directed to consultant Bryana Clover at brave@bryanaclover.com.
The Canon for Immigration and Multicultural Ministries is inviting you to join The Rt. Rev. Gayle E. Harris as she offers The Episcopal 101 to our Diocesan Community.
November 29, 2022
Vestry & Priest relationships in a local worshipping community: Vestry 101 Register here.
December 13, 2022
Financial Matters: Stewardship, Spending Authorization and Accountability. Register here.
All events are 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Zoom.
For more information, contact Margaret Lias, Assistant for Congregations and Grant Administration mlias@diomass.org or 617-482-4826, ext. 229
Dear Friends of the Cathedral,
The Very Rev. Amy McCreath
and the
Cathedral Campaign Committee
cordially request the pleasure of your company at a reception
inaugurating the
“A House of Prayer for all People- In All Seasons”
Capital Campaign
Replacing failing HVAC systems and installing lifts in office buildings is not glamorous, but it is essential for our staff and visitors, and in order to welcome new programs and non-profit organizations into the space. Adding the capacity for zoned, efficient air-conditioning to the sanctuary and Sproat Hall on increasingly long and hot summer days opens up countless possibilities for hosting diocesan, civic, and arts events, and allowing those without other places to stay cool a life-giving welcome.
