One of my favorite Episcopal hymns is #490: “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light.” Though we have not had the chance to sing it yet this year, we have been talking a lot about the light of Jesus and our call to follow him. Light reveals the beauty of God’s love, helping us to recognize ourselves as beloved children of God – apart from what we accomplish or produce. And, the light of Christ also makes it possible for us to move, calling us to share God’s love with the world around us.

The light of Christ will continue to be a focus for the next few weeks – not least in the Candlemas service that is scheduled for Friday, February 2nd. If you are available, please join us for this celebration of light, which will include a candlelight procession around the church yard, a connection to the traditions of Groundhog Day, and a chance to sing hymn #490! This is a service that was celebrated at Gloria Dei regularly in colonial times, and I’m excited to reconnect with that history.

But, even as we focus on the light of Christ, I am also reminded that the season of Lent is quickly approaching. Beginning with Ash Wednesday (on February 14th this year), Lent is a time of preparation for Easter, and it is typically marked by self-examination, repentance, and self-denial. Because of this, Lent is sometimes felt as a dark and depressing season…but it doesn’t have to be that way. As we read in John’s Gospel, Jesus did not come to condemn the world, but to save it; and, as hymn 490 reminds us, “in Jesus there is no darkness at all.”

So, as we approach Lent this year, I challenge you to hold on to the Epiphany light of Christ. Rather than giving up chocolate or coffee, consider whether there are things in your life that obstruct your view of Jesus or keep you from following him – and ask how you might give those up. Or, consider what practices you might take on that will help you to follow him more closely (the two Lenten study series advertised in this newsletter might be a good place to start!). Even as we contemplate our mortality on Ash Wednesday, let us also look forward to the hope of everlasting life promised to us in the resurrection of our Lord. Amen.

Have you ever wondered why a groundhog seeing his shadow has anything to do with extra weeks of winter? The answer is wrapped up in the old tradition of Candlemas, a service which marks when baby Jesus was presented at the temple (see Luke 2:22-40). Like the Lucia Fest, Candlemas is a festival of light shining in the darkness, and we will be celebrating with a candelight procession and a special Eucharist service.

On Mondays at 9:00am, Christine Pickup will lead a ten minute prayer, following the Morning Devotion service in the Book of Common Prayer. Please join in this simple, devotional service and start your day in a peaceful way.

Meeting ID: 909 012 0129

Passcode: 1U029q 

OR click the bar below to join the Zoom.

If you have the BCP,  turn to page 137.

If you don't have a paper copy, this is the link to Morning Devotion as a PDF.. 

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 

OR, click the bar at the bottom to join the Zoom.

UPDATE!

On the morning of January 24th, Mission Committee members Cathy Ufheil, Jill Duink, Jeanette Woehr and Rachel Armstrong visited the Food Pantry & Clothing Donation Center of the Sisters of St. Basil the Great on Franklin Street, in Northern Liberties.

Our mission was to help Sr. Teodora to sort, size and hang clothing for the homeless, refugees and anyone who needs it. We were there for over 2 hours and managed to put a big dent in Sr. Teodora's "stash" of donated clothing.  According to her, we four were an answer to her prayers! I think we were all pretty tired when we left but anxious for our next visit...all in all....success!! We are also exploring other ways of supporting the work of the Sisters of St. Basil.

 Sr. Teodora makes lunches and takes them to the homeless in Kensington.  In addition, the food pantry is open on Tuesday and Thursday from 10-3 and serves anyone who walks through the door.  She makes boxes containing, fresh meats, milk, vegetables, and staples.  And then there is the clothing which is available to anyone in need.  This past year the food and clothing donated to Ukrainian refugees alone reached 2,000 families who arrived here with little except their clothes.  

One price includes all-you-can-eat-pancakes, fruit, pastries, treats, juice, coffee & tea, and all of the extras you have grown to love. Craft beer & cider available, sponsored by Philadelphia Brewing Company & Commonwealth Ciders. Also enjoy live, acoustic music from local artists, including our own Paul Fejko. Tickets are $10 at the door, cash preferred, credit card payment & Venmo available. 

Ash Wednesday services with Eucharist will be held on February 14th at 12:00 and 6:00pm.

Rachel Armstrong with facilitate a study group using the book Will You? A Lenten Study of Baptismal Promises Thursdays at 11:00am during Lent. Meetings will be held in the Rectory and begin February 15th, running until March 21st. Books are provided.

There will be a lenten discussion group on Tuesdays developed and led in partnership with Heather Shayne Blakeslee & Root Quarterly (www.rootquarterly.com). It will focus on themes of memory and grief. Meetings will be held in Riverside Hall beginning February 20th and running until March 26th.

This fast-moving presentation highlights Philly’s fantastic public art and sculpture … and tells why we have so much of it here. From “Joanie on a Pony” near the Art Museum to the “Irish Memorial” at Front Street, and “Land Buoy” at Washington Avenue Pier, you’ll marvel at the unique art and sculpture available to us every day. Plus you’ll learn things about people like Charles Willson Peale, Henry Ossawa Tanner and Dr. Albert Barnes I doubt you’ve ever heard before.

Tickets are $10, which entitles you to a drink ticket for a beverage of your choice (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) at a Meet-and-Mingle session afterward in nearby Riverside Hall.

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 March, July, August, November, December.

Since their inception in September 2019, Filament has become a leading proponent and champion of 17th-century chamber music, an artistic universe unto itself that, though not widely known, speaks directly to today’s audiences. With The Muse’s Prism, Filament offers an array of the “greatest hits” of their first five years together, celebrating their collective inspiration and the ways their multifarious musical endeavors reflect and illuminate each other.

You may remember that in January 2023, our confirmands, Gigi Eisenstein and Ruth Duink, organized a collection for Cradles to Crayons, a Philadelphia charity which provides clothing and other needed supplies to children who are clothing insecure. 

Between now and February 11th, we will again be collecting items for Cradles to Crayons. We hope you will consider donating again. A current list of items that they will and won't accept is available at the link below. 

We will collect items on Sundays after the service. If you can’t donate, please pray for all children in need and that our donations will make a small difference in their lives.

We will also have opportunities to volunteer on Wednesday mornings, sorting clothes with the Sisters of St. Basil. Contact Cathy Ufheil (newamcat@aol.com) or Rev. Chris (rector@old-swedes.org) for more details. 

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. 

Note the time change: February 6 & 13 will be held at 6:30pm.
February 20, 27 and all of March will begin at 6:00pm.

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.

February 4
Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

• Isaiah 40:21-31
• 1 Corinthians 9:16-23
• Mark 1:29-39
• Psalm 147:1-12, 21c

Collect: Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

February 11
Last Sunday after the Epiphany

• 2 Kings 2:1-12
• 2 Corinthians 4:3-6
• Mark 9:2-9
• Psalm 50:1-6

Collect: O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

February 14
Ash Wednesday

• Joel 2:1-2,12-17
• or Isaiah 58:1-12
• 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10
• Matthew 6:1-6,16-21
• Psalm 103 or 103:8-14

Collect: Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

February 18
First Sunday in Lent

• Genesis 9:8-17
• 1 Peter 3:18-22
• Mark 1:9-15
• Psalm 25:1-9

Collect: Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

February 25
Second Sunday in Lent

• Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
• Romans 4:13-25
• Mark 8:31-38
• Psalm 22:22-30

Collect: O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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.