Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.  

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Blessings to you in this wondrous Epiphany season when we can expect to see God revealed to us in surprising ways! Epiphany lectionary readings are all about the surprise of being known by God and coming to know God. This Sunday we have the story of the prophet Samuel who as a boy heard God's voice but had to be told by his mentor, the priest Eli, that this was not a human voice; and the story of Jesus calling Phillip who brought a very surprised Nathanael to Jesus.      

It is easy to feel that God has forgotten us and that our lives don't matter. If we take seriously every sign of God's love that comes our way, however, we may come to the realization that we are continually face to face with Christ in the people around us and in this beautiful creation. It is a matter of paying attention, and of opening our eyes, ears, heart and spirit.          

Please join us for Epiphany Bible Study for the six Sundays from 15 January  through 19 February with member Dr. Jon Aceto and myself. Jon teaches at CUNY, has an extensive language background and brings with him a passion for uncovering the layers of meaning in a text. You will find us in Saint James Chapel from 10:10 to 10:40 a.m. for what will be, I am sure, a dynamic engagement with the lectionary texts.

Please don't miss out on our Congregation sponsored Interfaith Adult Education Courses. There are still openings in all four courses, so please register immediately if you are interested. Topics include "Introduction to the Gospels," with General Theological Seminary Professor Deirdre Good (26 Jan., 2, 9, 16 Feb.), "Exploring Genesis," with Rabbi Leonard Schoolman (24, 31 Jan., 7, 14 Feb.), "Introduction to Islam," with Dr. Hussein Rashid (26 Jan., 9, 16 Feb.) and "Biblical Women of Worth," with Dr. Phyllis Trible (24, 31 Jan., 7, 14 Feb.)   The registration fee for each course is $100. All courses begin at 7 p.m. and are held in Cathedral House. Make your check payable to the Congregation of Saint Saviour and mail to: Congregation of Saint Saviour, 1047 Amsterdam Ave., NY, NY 10025. Please indicate the course for which you are registering.   This is also a last call for scholarships. Please contact vsirota@stjohndivine.org for more information. We are very grateful to Rabbi Schoolman who has helped us set up this wonderful and exciting program.

On Wednesday, 18 January at 7 p.m. in Saint James Chapel we are all invited to the first of the Cathedral's The Value of Water Conversations with The Very Rev. James Kowalski, Rabbi Daniel Polish and Professor Paul Knitter entitled: "Acts of God? Force of Nature?" Join this important conversation as our panelists discuss different theological viewpoints concerning the destructive power that water can unleash. See the Cathedral web site for more details - stjohndivine.org/WaterConversation.html

We are also thrilled that the Environmental Task Force, under the leadership of Catherine Skopic, is presenting a hands-on workshop entitled "Stream of Conscience," with one of the artists from the Cathedral's Water Exhibit, Christine Destremps, on Sunday, 29 January from 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. in Cathedral House. Please join us!

Lord, you have searched me out and known me; you know my sitting down and my rising up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You trace my journeys and my resting-places and are acquainted with all my ways. Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, but you, O Lord, know it altogether.

Psalm 139, verses 1-3, BCP, p. 794

May the sure knowledge that God knows you and rejoices in you bring you peace.

Epiphany blessings and love,

Vicki+

The Reverend Canon Victoria Sirota,

Canon Pastor and Vicar of the Congregation of Saint Saviour