Dear Friends of Gloria Dei,

I'm sorry to be writing to you a bit late this month; I'm sure you know what it's like to have a few weeks where you're sprinting from one commitment to the next, and that has certainly been the case for me. On the personal side, the end of summer brought a last few family adventures (we only have one library left in our quest to visit all of the libraries in our county!), and then my kids started back to school on August 28. I hope you'll join me in praying for all the kids in our extended community as they transition into a new school year. 

Things have also been quite busy at the church, and I'd like to highlight a few activities that aren't otherwise mentioned in this newsletter:  
*      Our historian, Jeanette Woehr, has been conducting tours - which raises money to help us care for our records and historical artifacts;
*      I've met with several couples who will be getting married at Gloria Dei - and have already performed one wedding in the past month;  
*      Three families have expressed interest in having children baptized, and I’ve written up answers to the most common questions about baptism;
*      We are continuing to implement grants that were awarded this summer, and to apply for new grants to help us care for our historic property; 
*      We identified and welcomed an interim organist, Adam Haines, who will be with us throughout the fall; 
*      Repairs are underway after an attempted break-in on our hall, which resulted in a smashed window.

As things get even busier this fall, I encourage you to continue making time for the things that matter most. At our August Vestry meeting, I shared a reflection with the Vestry from Mark 12 (verses 28-34). In this passage, Jesus reminds us that there is no commandment greater than love for God and love for our neighbor. All the various activities we do are right and good, but their ultimate value is found in how they draw us into deeper love of God and neighbor. Hold on to these words from Jesus, especially when things get busy, and I trust that you will find God's sustaining grace in both the joys and the challenges. 

Are you interested in brainstorming, discussing, planning and participating in Gloria Dei missions? We've got some great opportunities that we're exploring for the fall, but we always welcome fresh ideas and energy!

We meet on the first Wednesday of every month at 9:00 on Zoom (Meeting ID: 897 2826 6283   Passcode: 098374, or use the link below).  

Join Zoom Meeting: Click here to join the Zoom.

Current Outreach Efforts:

• Monthly Lunch Packing Ministry - Upcoming Dates: Sept. 21, Oct. 19, Nov. 23, Dec. 28.
• Providing Recovery Bibles for Mercy Hospice (https://www.mercyhospicephilly.org/) - Donations accepted in the back of the church on Sundays, or through our website
• Collecting Donations for the Food Pantry at Snyder Avenue Congregational Church, which serves many local immigrant and refugee families (see downloadable list for the most requested items) - Donation basket available in the back of the church
• Volunteering with the Philadelphia Ukranian Cathedral to provide clothing to Ukranian Immigrants and Refugees and meals to people on the streets of Kensington - Contact Jill Duink for more details

If you have any questions, or want to get more invovled, please contact Jill Duink (jillddd@hotmail.com) or Rev. Chris (rector@old-swedes.org). 

Award-winning author, illustrator and typographer Hal Taylor leads off the next edition of 
Great Talks at Gloria Dei.
Tayor will reveal how Gustavus Adolphus, also known as “the father of modern warfare,” helped make “Sweden the most admired and feared world power in the 17th century.” He’ll also discuss the difficult voyages of the Kalmar Nyckel and the Fogel Grip to New Sweden and the city of Philadelphia … as well as the constant friction between the Dutch and the Swedes here before the English came in 1664 and took control of all Dutch and former Swedish holdings.
Tickets for the program are $10, which includes a drink ticket for a beverage of your choice (alcoholic or non-alcoholic).  See button below to purchase tickets. Part of “Great Talks at Gloria Dei,” this program will take place inside the church sanctuary. A popular Meet-and-Mingle reception will follow in nearby Riverside Hall, where the author will answer questions and sign books for sale. 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.

Every Monday at 9:00am, Christine Pickup leads us together in prayer. Rachel Armstrong will host November 10, 17, 24 (Many thanks, Rachel!)
Praying together points us to Jesus. In Matthew, Jesus reminds us of the power of community prayer:
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
We are currently using the The Morning Prayer from Northumbria Community Celtic Daily Prayer,which is available at this link.

Click Here to Join the Zoom Meeting!

This fall we'll be holding movie screenings in the graveyard! Bring a chair and some friends to enjoy family- friendly fall movies. Ticket purchases will include popcorn and help to support the preservation of our historic buildings and grounds.
Movie Dates & Times: 
Saturday, September 13 at 7:15 Pirates of the Caribbean (PG-13)
Friday, September 26 at 7:00 Frankenweenie (PG)
Friday, October 10 at 6:30 Haunted Mansion 2023 (PG-13)
Saturday, October 25 at 6:15 The Nightmare Before Christmas (PG)

Tickets are $10 per person, or $25 per family and can be purchased at the link below.
Cash and Venmo will also be accepted at the door. Please bring a chair or blanket. Beverages will be sold.

Join us for a refreshed version of our popular service.  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 is led by our sextons, Jim & Paula Minacci, who work to create a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere that everyone will enjoy. 

Join us for a special edition of our usual Musical Meditation service. On September 16, we will be welcoming a host of local musicians to play music of renowed rock band U2 in the context of a worship service (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U2charist). The service is free and open to the public, and an offering will be collected to support environmental sustainability through the work of Episcopal Relief and Development (https://www.episcopalrelief.org/what-we-do/priorities/climate-resilience/). Following the service there will be a reception in Riverside Hall. 
Thanks to Sexton Sideshow and our very own Jim and Paula Minacci for organizing this event, and to all the musicians who will be participating! Artist's from last year's U2Charist are featured in the photo above. 

During the British occupation of Philadelphia, Major John André was a favorite among tory young ladies and well loved by his peers. An accomplished flutist and artist, Major André organized the opulent Meschianza celebration for General Wm Howe that scandalized the city's beleaguered citizens. The celebration included music on barges in the Delaware, a joust, feasting and a candlelit ball. Within two years of the Meschianza, Major André was arrested for espionage in league with Benedict Arnold. Fearing an ignominius death by hanging, Major André begged General Washington to have "sympathy towards a soldier" and grant him death by firing squad. In this concert we'll explore the musical life and ungentlemanly death of this "man of honor" with readings from contemporay letters, diaries and newspapers, and music of the British occupation. Music performed on period instruments, in the interpretive style of the 18th c.
Tickets: $30 general, $15 student with ID

Please join us on a monthly basis to pack meals for people in need in Kensington. Lunches are packed in Riverside Hall immediately following Sunday services. The meals are then delivered to Prevention Point for distribution. To learn more about the work of Prevention Point, see their website at: https://ppponline.org

Future dates are: October 19, November 23, December 28.

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. Music starts at 7:30pm, and wraps up by 9:30pm. 

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

1700 Gloria Dei Timeline

• 1700 the church building was dedicated on June 2, 1700. The English called this church “A Cathedral in the Forest”. The Swedish settlers called the church Gloria Dei, “A House to the Glory of God”. Building cost 30,000 dollars Swedish money. In today's money 30,000 Krona = $3,879.73
• 1700 The first orchestral music in Pennsylvania was played here by the Rosicrucian Brothers of the Wissahickon at the laying of the cornerstone and again at the dedication in 1700.
• 1702 – 1719 Andrew Sandel – Rector
• 1703 The first ordination of any clergyman in the Americas occurred here when Justis Falckner was ordained to the Lutheran ministry.
• 1704 Two side rooms were added to act as buttress.
• 1710 Vestry duties.

1. To take care of the church, see to its repairs, and, if necessary, put up additional buildings.
2. To maintain the parochial ordinances and regulations enacted at the general meetings, and to preserve order in time of divine worship.
3. To inspect the behavior of the people in their respective districts, admonish those that misbehave, and proceed with them further, if necessary.
4. To attend divine worship often, partake of the Lord’s Supper, and be edifying examples in all Christian virtues.”

• 1719-1730 Jonas Lidman – Rector
• 1730-1733 Johon Eneberg – Rector
• 1731 a new organ was added.
• 1731 The marble baptismal font was made. It is one of the oldest fonts in continual use.
• 1733 Gabriel Falk – Rector – Deposed
• 1737-1741 John Dylander - Rector
• 1742 Henry Melchior Muhlenberg was consecrated. He was the founder of the Lutheran Ministerium in Pennsylvania.
• 1733 Parsonage house at Wicaco was built.
• 1737-1741 Johan Dylander the greatest pulpit orator in America of his day, was so accomplished a linguist that, besides preaching sermons in Swedish and Latin “he delivered sacred orations in English and German without a trace of foreign accent.”
• 1743-1750 Gabriel Näsman – Rector Controversy over Moravians & German
• 1750-1757 Olaf Parlin - Rector
• 1758 permission was requested for the pastor to preach occasionally in English.
• 1759-1768 Carl Magnus Wrangel, was perhaps even more influential and made an even greater contribution to the religious and cultural life of the community. He was elected a member of the American Philosophical Society, in 1769, the only foreign pastor so honored at that time.
• 1760 He is known to have baptized over 20 Africans as members of Gloria Dei, making it one of the first multiracial congregations in the country.
• 1768-1779 Anders Göransson - Rector
• 1774 The first legislative assemblies of Pennsylvania met here.
• John Morton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence was a communicant of this church during his residence in Philadelphia.
• 1776 The ancient bell in the tower was 134 years old when Independence was declared.
• The church building was used as a hospital during the Revolution by the British.
• Some pages were ripped from the record books during the Revolution.
• Captain George Ord, brought shiploads of gunpowder to the colonies from Bermuda.
• June 15, 1777, there occurred the marriage of Betsy Ross to Captain Joseph Ashbourn.
• 1780-1786 Matthias Hultgren - Rector
• 1786-1831 Nicholas Collin was the last Swedish pastor of the Church.. He was a celebrated linguist, writing articles on Comparative Philology and the History of Language. He was a botanist and zoologist and sent “innumerable specimens of skins, plants and flowers to Swedish Museums.”  He was an outstanding meteorologist, a century ahead of his time, and he made, like many of his contemporaries, systematic observations on the weather and other phenomena.  He was a student of medicine, “generations ahead of his time in his medical thinking”, and was one of our first “patent judges”, appointed by President Jefferson to pass on patent claims.  He was a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, a charter member of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and was one of the most faithful and active members of the American Philosophical Society. He married 3,375 couples averaging 84 a year for 45 years.
• Benjamin Franklin, a friend of Rev. Collin, supplied lightening rods.
• 1795 Nicholas Collin married 199 couples.
• 1796 Nicholas Collin married 179 couples.

1700 Philadelphia Timeline

1700   Philadelphia population about 2,000.

Dec. 2, 1700  William Penn arrives in Philadelphia.
Nov. 1, 170l   William Penn returns to England
October 25, 1701  William Penn issues charter of privileges

• Hermits of Wissahickon play music at ordination of Justis Falckner
• First Presbyterian Church built, High Street and White Horse Alley (Market and Bank Streets)
• The first Presbytery in the United States was organized by 7 Presbyterian ministers.

1710  Christ Church built Second above Market.
1718  First American made printing press, Adam Ramage.
1719  First fire engine bought by any municipality for public purposes.
1723  Benjamin Franklin comes to Philadelphia.
           -John Bartram commenced the first of America’s botanical gardens
1730  First American Turnpike ran from Philadelphia to Lancaster
July 1, 1731  Philadelphia Library founded.
1731  First Baptist Church built Second Street below Arch.
1732  The Philadelphia Hospital was established with the Philadelphia  Almshouse.
1733  First Fire Engine built in Philadelphia
            - St. Joseph’s Catholic Church built in Willing’s Alley.
1736  The Union Fire Company, first voluntary assoc. was founded by Benjamin Franklin.
1737  Walking purchase nets half million acre of Indian land.
December 1739  Union Fire Company purchases first fire engine
1740  Philadelphia population 10,000.
1742  First Moravian Church built at the southeast corner Race and Bread Street
1743  First German Church built Race Street below Fourth. St. Michael’s German Lutheran Church                    built corner Fifth and Appletree Alley
1744  Philadelphia Contributionship for insurance against losses by fire was established
1745  Head House Square built with bricks similar to Independence Hall.
            -The first religious magazine was published in the German language by Christopher Sauer.
            -New State House completed.
1750  Clockmaker creates solar system mode
1751  Pennsylvania Hospital established to relief of sick and suffering
           -Bell cracks
June 15 1752  Benjamin Franklin flies a kite during a lightning storm.
1753  Pennsylvania Steeple lottery tickets sold.
1753  Pass & Stowe made for the State House the first bell ever cast in this country
March 4 1753  First expedition for Arctic exploration sailed from Philadelphia in the schooner Argo                                     with Captain Charles Swaine.
May 27, 1754  Washington scores early English victory in French and Indian War
                               -Ben Franklin inscribes hospital cornerstone
1759  First Americanlife insurance company is incorporated.
1760  Philadelphia population 25,000.
1762  District of Southwark created. Boundary, Delaware River, Cedar Street (South Street), Passyunk                  Road to Moyamensing Road, by Keeler’s Lane to Greenwich Road to Delaware River.
1766  First permanent theatre house in America was built in Southwark.
1770  Carpenters to build hall
            -Continental congress meets in Carpenter’s Hall
June 1774  Penn refuses to call Assembly into session.
1774  Philadelphia philanthropists formed the first Anti-Slavery Society.
July 4, 1776  Declaration of Independence adopted.
July 8, 1776  Declaration of Independence read to people by John Nixon.
Nov. 29, 1776  A call to arms
Sept. 26, 1777  British enter Philadelphia
                                -Redcoats sleep in Carpenter’s Hall
June 18, 1778  British evacuated Philadelphia.
1780  Pennsylvania Bank, the first public bank was organized by Robert Morris
            -Cornwallis surrenders, Washington & America Victorious
January 7, 1781  First bank chartered
1782  First Hebrew Synagogue built, Cherry Street above Third.
Dec. 8, 1783  Triumphant George Washington returns to Philadelphia.
May 1784  Episcopal representatives meet
July 20, 1786  First steam vessel navigated the Delaware River by John Fitch.
                             -Assembly grants space to American Philosophical Society
                              -Negroes protest segregated worship
                               -Bishop White entertains the Washingtons
Sept. 17, 1787  Constitution drafted, delegates to depart tomorrow.
1789  Philadelphia named temporary capital
             -First Congress of the United States met here in Congress Hall.
              -First election of President of the United States.
April 17, 1790  Death of Benjamin Franklin.
1790  Federal Capital moves to Philadelphia from New York
            -Law School of the University of Pennsylvania was founded.
             -Philadelphia population 54,391
1791  US Supreme Court to convene in City Hall
           -Bank of North America abandoned system of accounts in pounds, shillings, and pence and               adopted dollars and cents.
1792  First Mint of the United States established
1793  Yellow Fever Deaths in August – November 4,002
1794  James Madison to wed John Todd’s widow, Dolly.
1795  First Bank construction begins
March 1797  Philadelphia merchants fete retiring President
1799  Philadelphia Water Works commenced with water through pipes January 21,1801.
Dec. 26, 1799  National Funeral Procession for George Washington

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 7 – Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Psalm 1
Philemon 1-21
Luke 14:25-33

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 14 – Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Exodus 32:7-14
Psalm 51:1-11
1 Timothy 1:12-17
Luke 15:1-10

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 21 – Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Amos 8:4-7
Psalm 113
1 Timothy 2:1-7
Luke 16:1-13

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 28 - Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Amos 6:1a,4-7
Psalm 146
1 Timothy 6:6-19
Luke 16:19-31

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.