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| Blessed Pauli Murray |
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| The ashes of Dorothy Laybourn |
Wednesday, June 29
6:00 p.m. – Holy Eucharist
Deacon John, assisting
Matthew Patnode, music
Friday, July 1
Fr. Jamie’s Day Off
Sunday, July 3
11:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist
James Mackay, organist
Words of Wisdom:
If it’s not about love, then it’s not about God.
~The Most Reverend Michael Curry, 27th Presiding Bishop
Dear St. Stephen’s family-
As you all know by now, yesterday the Supreme Court made its landmark decision to reverse Roe v. Wade, which will greatly limit healthcare for women in our country.
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry issued a statement (which I include at the end of this message), in which he said, “Today’s decision institutionalizes inequality because women with access to resources will be able to exercise their moral judgment in ways that women without the same resources will not.”
For many here at St. Stephen’s this decision by the Supreme Court is a painful, difficult and personal situation that affects us deeply on both collective and personal levels. Many of us have fought hard for many years for women’s rights and for full and protected healthcare for all. Some of us have suffered personally from the effects of a lack of healthcare for various reasons. This decision by SCOTUS seems to many (including myself) to be several steps backward in on the path of progress.
In addition to the shock of that decision, the House of Bishops has received information “from federal authorities of credible security threats against clergy and churches…” and that “there is concern that clergy who have advised parishioners about abortion access and their reproductive rights may face threats or violence.”
As most of you know, I have been speaking out vocally on both my own social media accounts and on the St. Stephen’s Facebook page about this issue and so far, I have received overwhelming support. But, as we have experienced in the past when have stood up for LGBTQ+ rights in this Diocese and state, we are aware there are people who do not share our commitment and who are willing to lash out at those with different opinions. Please know that despite such threats, I will continue to speak out as I have. I will also be preaching on this issue tomorrow at Mass.
I repeat what I have said on social media: I will continue to support full access to healthcare for all people and will do everything in my power as a Christian, as a priest and as a citizen to make sure such access is made available.
I also mention, though I do not mean to unduly alarm anyone, that Justice Clarence Thomas made a comment yesterday regarding the possibility that SCOTUS may be eyeing future issues such as gay marriage. Considering those comments, I am advising all our married LGBTQ+ parishioners and friends to get wills, as well as power of attorney and healthcare power of attorney documents as soon as possible. If any of you need legal help or suggestions, please contact me.
And for those not married, please know I am more than willing to officiate at any weddings while we can still legally do so.
Be assured that St. Stephen’s will remain a haven for all people, and we will continue to provide care, safety and protection for anyone who needs it. We renew our commitment to uphold the “worth and dignity” of all people now and always.
The consequences of SCOTUS’ decision yesterday are long-ranging and will be affecting all of us for some time to come. With that in minds, please pray. Pray for our country during this divisive and contentious time. Please pray for women whose lives are now in jeopardy because of limited or non-existent healthcare. Pray for the leadership of this country during this time that strong leaders may stand up and speak out. And please, do so yourself. Stand up and speak out.
-peace,
Jamie+
Rector, St. Stephen’s
O great God,
mighty and awesome.
You show no partiality.
You defend the cause
of the fatherless, motherless, and the widow.
You love the stranger.
We believe and we feel overwhelmed—
sometimes it is hard to believe
that you actually care about
injustice and suffering.
When we don’t see your work.
When we sense the apathy
from the church and the world.
When we feel small and forget
that we were designed to be different
and to make things different.
When we feel overwhelmed
by the darkness in the world—
the violence, injustice, poverty, oppression, abuse.
Give us hope not to be overcome.
Give us eyes to see your goodness for our world.
Give us the strength to hold the pain of injustice in
our world and faith that it will end.
Give us courage to be honest with ourselves about
why and how we are doing justice.
We believe.
Empower us to disrupt our broken
thinking by learning truth from diverse leaders.
Enable us to discover the beauty
of justice and inspire action in others.
Embolden us to display your
goodness in the world. Amen.
Adapted from a prayer from A Liturgy of Longing by Sandra Maria Van Opstal, found in Sarah Bessey’s A Rhythm of Prayer: A Collection of Meditations for Renewal; Convergent Publishing, 2021.
Statement on Supreme Court Dobbs decision by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
June 24, 2022
Office of Public Affairs
Today the Supreme Court released its decision in the case of Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The court has overturned the constitutional right to abortion that was recognized in the seminal 1973 case Roe v. Wade.
While I, like many, anticipated this decision, I am deeply grieved by it. I have been ordained more than 40 years, and I have served as a pastor in poor communities; I have witnessed firsthand the negative impact this decision will have.
We as a church have tried carefully to be responsive both to the moral value of women having the right to determine their healthcare choices as well as the moral value of all life. Today’s decision institutionalizes inequality because women with access to resources will be able to exercise their moral judgment in ways that women without the same resources will not.
This is a pivotal day for our nation, and I acknowledge the pain, fear, and hurt that so many feel right now. As a church, we stand with those who will feel the effects of this decision—and in the weeks, months, and years to come.
The Episcopal Church maintains that access to equitable health care, including reproductive health care and reproductive procedures, is “an integral part of a woman’s struggle to assert her dignity and worth as a human being” (2018-D032). The church holds that “reproductive health procedures should be treated as all other medical procedures, and not singled out or omitted by or because of gender” (2018-D032). The Episcopal Church sustains its “unequivocal opposition to any legislation on the part of the national or state governments which would abridge or deny the right of individuals to reach informed decisions [about the termination of pregnancy] and to act upon them” (2018-D032). As stated in the 1994 Act of Convention, the church also opposes any “executive or judicial action to abridge the right of a woman to reach an informed decision…or that would limit the access of a woman to safe means of acting on her decision” (1994-A054).
The court’s decision eliminates federal protections for abortion and leaves the regulation of abortion to the states. The impact will be particularly acute for those who are impoverished or lack consistent access to health care services. As Episcopalians, we pray for those who may be harmed by this decision, especially for women and other people who need these reproductive services. We pray for the poor and vulnerable who may not have other options for access. We urge you to make your voice heard in the way you feel called but always to do so peacefully and with respect and love of neighbor.
The Requiem Mass for Jon Gilbert (who died April 12) will be Saturday at 2:00 p.m. His ashes will be buried after the Mass in the St. Stephen's Memorial Garden next to his mother Marilyn. A reception in the Undercroft will follow the committal. Incense will be offered at this Mass.
Tonight at Mass we bid farewell to Conrad Larson who will be moving to Minneapolis to begin working for the MN DFL as a Field Organizer. Blessings, Conrad. We will miss you.
Wednesday, June 22
6:00 p.m. – Holy Eucharist
Deacon John, assisting
Matthew Patnode, music
Friday, June 24
Fr. Jamie’s Day Off
Sunday, June 26
11:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist
Deacon John, assisting
James Mackay, organist
Words of Wisdom:
Don’t feel bad if people remember you only when they need you.
Feel privileged that you are like a candle that comes to their mind when there is darkness.
Wednesday, June 15
6:00 p.m. – Holy Eucharist
Fr. Jamie, celebrant/ preacher
Deacon John, assisting
Matthew Patnode, music
Friday, June 17
Fr. Jamie’s Day Off
Sunday, June 19
11:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist
Deacon John, assisting
James Mackay, organist
Words of Wisdom:
12 things to remember
1. The past cannot be changed.
2. Opinions do not define your reality.
3. Everyone’s journey is different.
4. Things always get better with time.
5. Judgements are a confession of character.
6. Overthinking will lead to sadness.
7. Happiness is found within.
8. Positive thoughts create positive things.
9. Smiles are contagious.
10. Kindness is free.
11. You only fail if you quit.
12. What goes around comes around.
Wednesday, June 8
6:00 p.m. – Holy Eucharist
Fr. Jamie, celebrant/ preacher
Deacon John, assisting
Friday, June 10
Fr. Jamie’s Day Off
Sunday, June 12
11:00 a.m. – Holy Eucharist – Trinity Sunday
Deacon John, assisting
James Mackay, organist
Good To Know:
What is Trinity Sunday?
Trinity Sunday, in its essence, celebrates the mystery of faith and unity on and of the Holy Trinity: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
On-line worship:
Facebook: Our Sunday morning and Wednesday night masses are livestreamed on our Facebook group: https://facebook.com/groups/
YouTube: All our Masses can be found uploaded to our St. Stephen’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/
Or search YouTube.com for “St. Stephen’s Fargo.”
St. Stephen’s Website: Each Mass is also uploaded later in the day to our website. So, if you miss a livestreamed Mass, be sure to check out the Mass later at: https://ststephensfargo.org
