It has been a couple of weeks now since our last official “meetup,” and I continue to process all I learned from those whom I encountered, and what I witnessed, and what I heard in those wonderful times together.
At the 2022 General Convention, Episcopal Migration Ministries created the Rainbow Initiative to spotlight forced migration of LGBTQ+ people, the issues they face and why we as people of faith should care. St. Michael’s Vestry signed on in March 2023 as one of approximately 20 Rainbow Initiative Congregations committed to highlighting this intersectional social-justice issue especially during Pride month in June. As a faith community, we felt called to do so because St. Michael’s is both a welcoming congregation to the LGBTQ+ community and an Immigrant Welcoming Congregation.
This Sunday, at the 10:00 am service, we have a summer pickup choir singing an anthem during the offertory. “Gracious Spirit, dwell with me” utilizes the familiar tune “Adoro te devote”, most commonly sung to the words “Humbly I adore thee” in The Hymnal 1982.
As a teacher for 40 years, my life’s rhythm has been that of the school year. The end of any school year was always bittersweet. My students and I had worked hard for months. As I said goodbye and wished them a happy, safe summer, I prayed I had given my students all they needed. I hoped they retained the skills and concepts we had worked so hard to achieve.
Our summer Sunday schedule begins on June 18. Our morning services will be at 7:30 and 10:00 am, and the 1:00 pm service in Spanish will continue as usual. If there are forums, as there is on June 18, those will happen at 11:15 am. The 10:00 am service will continue to be livestreamed as usual.
Before I moved to Texas and had lived there for several years, I knew almost nothing about Juneteenth. I am sad and embarrassed to admit this; and also must acknowledge that not much was said or taught in wider – or white – culture until recent years. Power does not often surrender itself without insistence.
Sunday Worship Schedule
7:30 – Spoken Traditional language (Rite 2 with no music)
9:00 – Traditional Service with Choir
11:00 – Inclusive Language with Choir
1:00 pm – Misa en Español
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