“I wanna be in the room where it happens.” This line, attributed to Aaron Burr in the musical Hamilton, speaks to the often obscure nature of leadership and political maneuvering. People in power regularly operate behind closed doors, making deals and establishing policy that affect many people who have no representation in the room where it happens. And you don’t have to look hard to find examples of how easily this practice leads to bad decisions and to corruption. Moreover, we see in Hamilton that the desire for power and influence can distort a person’s life and character.

Churches are by no means innocent when it comes to power dynamics, but Jesus has harsh words for religious authorities who prize power and privilege over caring for their people. Jesus makes it clear that leaders in the Kingdom of God should be servants, and he models that in his service to the poor and downtrodden, and to his own disciples. All of this makes me appreciate the power structures and ideals of the Episcopal Church (even if we have too often found ways to circumvent good structures and have too often failed to live up to our ideals). While we have priests and rectors and bishops, these positions of power are not appointed, but are elected by the people they will serve. Authority is meant to be shared between the clergy and the laity (a fancy word for everyone who is not ordained), and we seek to train and empower strong lay leaders. Indeed, the outline of faith found in the back of The Book of Common Prayer insists that “the ministers of the Church are lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons.”  

For this reason, I am especially grateful that Gloria Dei has a rich history of strong lay leaders – to include the members of the current Vestry. The Vestry is a body of elected lay leaders who sets and oversees the annual budget and who works with the Rector to lead the church. However, in the absence of a Rector, the Vestry must take on an additional level of responsibility and leadership. Your Vestry members have served with distinction, holding this church together and keeping the doors open through several years of turmoil and change (you can review some of their work by looking at minutes from Vestry meetings on our website: https://www.old-swedes.org/pages/vestry-meeting-minutes). Since my arrival last July, I have also been impressed by how this Vestry works collaboratively and respectfully, even when there are differences of opinion.

On the first Sunday in May, we will gather after church for our Annual Meeting. This is an opportunity for us to talk about what Gloria Dei has accomplished in the past year, and to look ahead at priorities and vision for the coming year. I hope that you will come with questions and ideas, because we do need the gifts of all the ministers of the church. This will also be an opportunity to thank the Vestry Members who have finished their time of service: Lisa Reeves, Amy Grant, and Jaime Konowal. All three have made incredible contributions, and Jaime has held the particularly demanding role of Rector’s Warden for the past several years. So, I ask you to join me in showing gratitude for their service and for the love they have for this place. And, if you find yourself wanting to be in the room where it happens, know that you are welcome - and please consider running for Vestry next year!

Please plan to attend this year's annual meeting! Elections for new Vestry members will be held, and the annual report will be made available. There will also be a time for questions and discussion about the annual report and about the life of the Gloria Dei community. 

If you have any items that you would like to see included or addressed in the Annual Report, please contact Rev. Chris (rector@old-swedes.org) or our Parish Administrator, Christine McBride (info@old-swedes.org), as soon as possible. 

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.

Click here to join the Zoom meeting.

or use:

Meeting ID: 748 3341 8409

Passcode: 8C3fDK

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.. 

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.

The Spring Flea Market is approaching! Come on out and check out all of the goodies, rain or shine. Runs 8:00am- 3:00pm, on the sidewalk surrounding Old Swedes'.

VENDORS: Set-up is between 6:00am - 8:00am. No reservations, spots are first come, first served. 6 foot spaces are marked off in chalk. When you arrive, pick out an empty spot and set yourself up. Someone from the parish will come around to collect your $25 fee and give you a receipt. You may park underneath 95 for the duration of the flea market, enter at the Washington Avenue gate. (Any cars left after 5:00pm will be ticketed). There will be volunteers to lend a hand. This event will be held rain or shine - if it rains we move everything underneath 95. 

VOLUNTEERS needed to help set-up, work the church table, direct vendors, etc. Please contact Jill at jillddd@hotmail.com if you can spare an hour or two.

The Memorial Dei Family Picnic is back and better than ever! 2 stages with live music - indoor DJ - food truck or bring a picnic - art vendors - and more.

$20 for singles/$35 for 2 adults & 4 kids under 16. Cash at the door or buy advanced tickets here online.

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. 

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.

Next month, we will be starting a book study group, looking at Beating Guns by Shane Claiborne and Michael Martin. Shane's work to counter gun-violence and to build community in Kensington was referenced in Rev. Chris' sermon on April 14 (which is still available on the Gloria Dei Facebook page!). This is a chance to read and talk more deeply about the epidemic of violence in our country, and to consider where we might find glimmers of hope that a better world is possible. Stay tuned for details about times and locations. 

On June 2, 1700, Philadelphia’s Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church had its “grand opening.” Celebrate its 324th anniversary by taking a guided tour led by historian and archivist Jeanette Woehr.

It is easy to image the past when you visit Gloria Dei Church. Located on nearly five acres of green space, this national historic site predates the arrival of William Penn and the founding of Pennsylvania. The present day church was built between 1698 and 1700 to serve a parish of European settlers who lived along the banks of the Schuylkill and Delaware rivers. Today it serves as a link to a nearly forgotten history. Woehr will describe the history of this church, from its founding to the present day, and talk about many important historical figures who worshipped here or are buried in the graveyard.

Tour participants will meet inside the church building at 1:00 pm. The tour should take about an hour. Rain or Shine. Tickets are $15 each, you may purchase at the link below.

Things to Note:

• Getting here:
  • Ride Sharing: The Water Street gate (929 S. Water Street) is the best place to be dropped off.
  • Public Transportation: Several bus routes including the 57, 25 and 64 stop near Gloria Dei. Plan your visit using SEPTA’s travel tools.
  • Bicycle Riding: An Indego bicycle-sharing docking station is less than a block away. We also have a bicycle rack on the premises.
  • Vehicle Parking: Some parking is available in our lot (8 Christian Street). Public parking is also available on adjacent city streets.
• Arrive at least 15 minutes early. The tour will begin promptly at 1:00 pm.
• Restroom in Riverside Hall will be accessible before the tour begins

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.

May 5 - Sixth Sunday of Easter

• Acts 10:44-48
• 1 John 5:1-6
• John 15:9-17
• Psalm 98

Collect: O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

May 12 - Seventh Sunday of Easter

• Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
• 1 John 5:9-13
• John 17:6-19
• Psalm 1

Collect: O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

May 19 - Day of Pentecost

• Acts 2:1-21
• or Ezekiel 37:1-14
• Romans 8:22-27
• or Acts 2:1-21
• John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15
• Psalm 104:25-35, 37

Collect: Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

or this

O God, who on this day taught the hearts of your faithful people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit: Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

May 26 - First Sunday after Pentecost, Trinity Sunday

• Isaiah 6:1-8
• Romans 8:12-17
• John 3:1-17
• Psalm 29
• or Canticle 13 (or Canticle 2)

Collect: Almighty and everlasting God, you have given to us your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of your divine Majesty to worship the Unity: Keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see you in your one and eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.