Thank you to all who responded to our requests for committees and vestry membership. The vestry leadership is in the process of going through the letters of interest and will be reaching out soon. Please plan to join us by Zoom for the Annual Meeting on January 30 at 12:15 pm. We will vote at that time for vestry members, Endowment Fund Committee members and convention delegates.
Edward Elgar (1857-1934) will be a featured composer this Sunday. One of Elgar’s most famous works is his Enigma Variations, an orchestral composition consisting of fourteen variations on an original theme. “Nimrod,” the ninth and most famous variation from this set, will be played as the prelude at the 9:00 am and 11:00 am services, arranged for organ by Robert Gower.
In their January 9 forum, Outreach & Justice featured a speaker from the organization WeShine, which seeks to provide transitional micro-housing for the homeless in every Portland neighborhood.
Each season of the church year, we change the musical settings, such as the Gloria/Song of Praise/Kyrie, Sanctus, Fraction Anthem, etc. These are the musical parts of the service that remain constant during an entire season, unlike the hymns, choir anthem and keyboard voluntaries that change from week to week.
One of the truly wonderful things about working with technology is that it is possible to count on things going wrong at any point. Recently this happened in several ways.
We have some fabulous music planned for our Christmas Eve services. On December 24, at the 6:00 pm service, the Saints & Singers Choir will lead the festive music, including an anthem called A child is born. At 10:30 pm, join the St. Michael’s Singers in 30 minutes of familiar carols and anthems, followed by our festive 11:00 pm Eucharist.
December can be a difficult month for those who have faced the loss of a loved one or who have experienced hardship associated with this time of year. For some, the Christmas season is one of sadness or loneliness; for others, it is hectic and stressful. If you need an escape from the cheery Christmas tunes and busy atmosphere of the season, you are invited to come to our Longest Night service (also known as Blue Christmas) on Tuesday, December 21 at 7:00 pm.
It must be a scary time for the Afghan refugees coming into our city at this time. They know little about us, and are in need of everything – housing, jobs, help with language, with riding the bus, with doctor appointments, with school, with housewares and warm clothing. Thankfully, there are agencies that have opened their hearts to them, helping them navigate through these difficult waters.
A Young People’s Lessons & Carols will be presented on Saturday, December 18, at 4:30 pm. We are grateful for parishioner and associate clergy the Rev. Bob Macauley, who will preside at the service; for organist Hannah Brewer who will play Advent and Christmas hymns for all to sing; and for the children and youth who will read the appointed lessons foretelling the coming of the Christ Child.
During this time of transition, we are very fortunate to have the Rev. Karen Tiegs serving on Sundays as presider and preacher. The St. Michael’s Vestry and staff, aided by some very capable volunteers, have taken steps to be sure the parish’s needs are covered.
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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