When was the last time you had a good conversation with someone with whom you have significant disagreements? Sadly, the political insanity of the past several years has driven wedges between many friends and family members, making it difficult to talk about social issues – or sometimes even to talk at all. And, without a preexisting relationship, it is even easier to demonize the people we disagree with, assuming the worst of intentions and motivations.

As we approach another presidential election this fall, these pressures will only intensify – and we need to ask what it means to follow Jesus in such a polarized society. I do think that Jesus would have strong opinions about the various political candidates, and that people of faith have a responsibility to consider carefully how they will vote in any election. We get to be a part of God’s healing and redemptive work in the world, and that includes voting for policies and politicians that promote justice, freedom, and peace. But I think that following Jesus also has significant implications for how we treat our political enemies. Even when we disagree, we are still called to look for God’s image in our fellow citizens and to pray for them.

Toward that end, we will be praying for our country and for the election in the prayers of the people over the next few months. I’m also glad to talk & pray with you personally, and to offer resources for healthy engagement across differences (The Righteous Mind, by Jonathan Haidt, is often a great place to start). Finally, I hope you will join us in November for a prayer service on election night, and that you’ll stay tuned for details on some great events we’re starting to plan for after the election.

On Mondays at 9:00am, Christine Pickup will lead a ten to fifteen minute prayer. She shares a prepared powerpoint in the Zoom session. Each session has five components: 

• An opening Psalm or Canticle from the week's readings in Forward Day by Day
• A reading from the Bible from the week's readings in Forward Day by Day
• Intercessions from the attendees
• The Lord's Prayer
• 2 collects: one seasonal and the closing collect for Morning Prayers in the BCP

She closes with a few minutes of discussion. The powerpoints are available on demand.

Click here to join the Zoom meeting.

or use:

Meeting ID: 748 3341 8409        Passcode: 8C3fDK

Link to the Book of Common Prayer

Join us for a refreshed version of our popular service. Don't worry, it isn't entirely different! Paul Fejko will still be performing on our beautiful Hook & Hastings organ. Keep an eye out for some interesting guest guitarists, a drum circle, poems, and discussions that we hope will inspire you throughout the rest of the week. The program will be led by our sextons, Jim & Paula Minacci, who want to create a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere that everyone will enjoy. 

Would you be interested in brainstorming, discussing, planning and participating in Gloria Dei missions?  

We plan to meet on the first Wednesday of every month at 9:00 on Zoom. 

If another day/time works better for you, or if you would like an email of the zoom link, please contact Jill Duink (jillddd@hotmail.com).  

Meeting ID: 897 2826 6283   Passcode: 098374 

Join Zoom Meeting: Click here to join the Zoom.

Educator, historian, and author Amy Cohen will discuss the long and influential presence of African Americans in Philadelphia, and how this history is reflected in monuments, markers, murals, and so forth.

After giving a general overview of her book, she will focus on the fascinating history of the All Wars Memorial to Colored Soldiers and Sailors, a 1934 monument that sits on 20th and the Parkway, across from the Franklin Institute.

Admission is $10, which includes a drink ticket for a beverage of your choice. Advance tickets are highly recommended.

Part of "Great Talks at Gloria Dei,” this program will take place inside the church. You are invited to our popular “Meet-and-Mingle" reception that follows immediately afterward in nearby Riverside Hall. For a modest donation, you can also sample delicious gourmet desserts paired with wine, coffee or tea at the reception.

This program is hosted by the Historic Gloria Dei Preservation Corporation. One hundred percent of the funds raised from this event will go toward the preservation of Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church and its graveyard.

Thank you all so much for donations of school supplies and funds for the children of Ukranian refugees.

Gloria Dei gathered backpacks, notebooks, folders, pens, pencils, crayons, markers, and more for the children.

The Sisters of St. Basil the Great stuffed backpacks for 270+ children and hosted a joyous pick-up event.

Rachel Armstrong and Jill Duink were thrilled to attend!

Join us for a dramatic concert of befores and afters, as The Publick Pleasure explores changes in Philadelphia’s musical landscape caused by the city’s Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793. Concert life, performers, impresarios and musical tastes in Philadelphia underwent profound shifts as the population fled the city, and ordinary life ground to a halt. The city’s own soundscape changed, with church bells silenced and gunpowder exploded in the streets. This concert will include texts from period newspapers and personal accounts of 1793 as companions to musical compositions from before and after Philadelphia’s “unhappy calamity.” Music will be performed on instruments of the period.

Join us for a worship service incorporating the music of U2, played by live musicians. For more details on the history of such services, check out the Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U2charist. 

The Independence Seaport Museum is collecting stories about the construction of I-95 for an oral history project called Breaking Uncommon Ground. The director of the project, Paul D. Best, is looking for people to share stories about homes or businesses that were demolished, and about the threat that the freeway posed to Gloria Dei. If you are interested in learning more, and potentially sharing your memories (or stories passed down in your family), please contact Paul at pbest@phillyseaport.org or 215-315-3242. 

Every other Sunday, Rev. Chris Micklewright and Carol Jenkins will be leading an adventure on church grounds for kids of all ages. These adventures, which will include things like climbing the bell tower and exploring the graveyard, are a chance to learn about the life of the church, to have some fun, and to talk about faith. Immediately following the 10:00am Sunday service, kids are invited to grab a snack and gather in Riverside Hall while Rev. Chris gets ready, and we will plan to be back at Riverside Hall before noon. Parents are welcome to come along if that helps your kids feel more comfortable.

For more information, you may contact Rev. Chris at rector@old-swedes.org

Jazz & Joe is a "coffee-house" style venue. Active listening and quiet conversation is welcome throughout the evening. Refreshments are served, and attendees are welcome to BYOB. This event is free, but donations are appreciated to help defray costs. 

Please note: Jazz & Joe is not held in November & December.

In honor of St. Francis, once again we celebrate the Blessing of the Animals and give thanks for ALL God’s creatures, especially his four-legged, winged and scaly ones! The presence of animals in our lives is a blessing.  They often help us through very trying times and ask nothing in return except our love and care. All pets are welcome on a leash or in a proper carrier...children are welcome to bring stuffed animals (no leash required!). Spread the word….and join us!! 

Have you ever wandered the graveyard at Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church and wondered about the people buried there? Now is your chance to find out.

The Historic Gloria Dei Preservation Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of our official Old Swedes Self-Guided Graveyard Tours app. This app is available for free and without advertisements in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. It can be used on smartphones and tablets.

Featuring interactive maps and over 80 biographical sketches, you will learn something new every time you visit Old Swedes’ Church. 

Plus, throughout the year, enjoy limited edition tours on special topics such as Women’s History Month, World Art Day, National Author’s Day and World Maritime Day.

There’s more. We’re also celebrating our 11 Year Anniversary as a non-profit organization. For $20, join us for a fun evening featuring graveyard tours, gourmet food, a silent auction and a wine tasting contest.

100% of the proceeds from ticket sales support the preservation and restoration of Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church and its graveyard.

So come out, celebrate our anniversary, and learn how to use our new free app.

This app project was made possible thanks to the support of QVNA and the Philadelphia Cultural Fund. We are also grateful to our volunteer board members who worked tirelessly on research, writing, designing and programming the app.

September Records

September 1, 1768 - Dr. Wrangel returned to Sweden.  He arrived in 1759 and often preached in the open air.  He died in 1786.

September 4, 1646 - Consecration of wooden church at Tinakong (Tinicum).  It was used until 1700.

September 21, 1918 - Caroline Betilda Neher age 1 year 11 months died of summer trouble.

September Remarkable Occurrences  by Nicholas Collin

September 6, 1806 - At night a company knocked at the gate to be married, but went off quietly on my calling out, "It is too late."

September 30, 1807 - An Irishman age 45, came with a girl of 17, and her stepfather.  On my inquiry whether he was a bachelor or widower, he answered evasively that he never was married in America. On further examination he confessed that he left a wife in Ireland, when he left it many years ago, but that she was dead.  In proof of this he produced a letter from his brother there; but this mentioned nothing of this, tho it related the death of his brother's wife.  They were dismissed.  The girl was advanced in pregnancy.

September 20, 1815 - A Portuguese seaman, decent, speaking well English, having been a while in England, came with a girl, lusty, and by appearance 22 years as she said.  A large company also came, but all unknown to me.  Her father was dead, as she and some said, very probable.  She and some of them first said that her mother was dead, but afterwards that she was living, but had not taken care of her daughter, being a woman of ill-conduct.  The bride lived with a married sister, but she could not attend on account of her small children.  Refused.  The levity of the bride and of some of her attendants also gave suspicion.

Tombstone Inscriptions from September

Sacred to the memory of Miss Sophia Fisler, who departed this life September 3rd 1816 aged 65 years.

                                    Regretted by numerous

                                    Relatives and friends

                                    particularly N. Collin

                                    Having lived with him.

                                    And his wife, her sister,

                                    Eleven years, and since

                                    Her decease, been for

                                    Nineteen, a prudent

                                    Neat and trusty manager

                                    Of his household.

Sacred to the memory of William F. Harriott, died September 2nd 1858 in the 26th year of his age.

                                    Green be the turf above thee,

                                    Dear Friend of my early days.

                                    None knew thee but to love thee;

                                    Nor named thee but to praise.

                                    Low in this grave thy body lies.

                                    Him that I love so dear,

                                    I know to heaven his soul is gone,

                                    While I am wandering here.

Article from Old Swedes' September, 1959

After the death of the Rev. John Curtis Clay and before the coming of the Rev. Snyder Binns Simes, there was a clergyman the Rev. Sanders Reed who served here as Rector for a brief period.  While he was at Gloria Dei our present Parish Hall was erected in 1864.  It was used solely for a Sunday School and was seldom available for other uses until sometime after 1915.  As last as 1935, an opalescent figured glass filled the window frames and both water and cooked food were carried from the Guild House (where Roak House now stands) for dinners and entertainments.

Upon your return to church this Fall, the constant effort to make the Parish Hall more and more functional with the demands of today will reveal another chapter of progress.

The Women of Gloria Dei under the leadership of Miss Bertha Brown commenced raising moneys for an adequate kitchen in the Parish Hall.  Frequently they consulted with Mr. Parnum and almost as frequently he came forward with a variety of plans.  Costs multiplied ore rapidly than the designs, therefore our Women were prevented in building their much desired kitchen.

Since Mrs. Raymond May became President of our "Women" the opportunity to purchase very fine kitchen equipment from a firm that was going out of business, revised the old plan.  Mr. Parnum was called in again and asked to design partitions that would create a room around this new equipment and the wonderful range Mrs. William Peters obtained for us a few years ago.

A committee composed of Messrs. May, Gavin, Gaylert, Seaholm and Cork were given power to act and during the closing week of August the installation has been completed.  One more feature will still challenge Mrs. May and her committee, the installation of a door in place of a window in the kitchen, to allow for deliveries and the removal of waste.  Someone may be moved to help our "Women" complete these facilities.  These convenience are going to mean much to our women in the preparation of lunches and dinners in the future.

Vestry Meetings are usually held in person in the Rectory. Please feel free to talk to Rev. Chris or any Vestry member if you have a topic that you'd like to bring before the Vestry. Zoom options are also available with advance planning. 

Our service is comprised of uplifting music, Episcopal worship and spiritual/biblical teachings. While we are always a work in progress, Gloria Dei strives to be a place where all will feel welcome in faith and spirit.

September 1-  Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost 

Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9
Psalm 15
James 1:17-27
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Collect: Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

September 8 - Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Isaiah 35:4-7a
Psalm 146
James 2:1-10, [11-13], 14-17
Mark 7:24-37

Collect: Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

September 15 - Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 116:1-8
James 3:1-12
Mark 8:27-38

Collect: O God, because without you we are not able to please you, mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

September 22 - Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Wisdom of Solomon 1:16-2:1, 12-22
or Jeremiah 11:18-20
Psalm 54
James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a
Mark 9:30-37

Collect: Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

September 29 - Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Numbers 11:4-6,10-16,24-29
Psalm 19:7-14
James 5:13-20
Mark 9:38-50

Collect: O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.