An Evensong Service of Lament:
Remembering the Victims of the Indian Boarding Schools
The people of St. Gabriel Episcopal Church invite you to join with us in an Evensong Service of Lament Remembering the Victims of the Indian Boarding Schools. Through words and music, sounds and silence, we will grieve the Native children, families, and communities who were victims of the boarding schools, acknowledge the ongoing intergenerational trauma and commit ourselves to the work of truth and reconciliation with the Indigenous communities in the church.
Sunday, November 21, 2021 5:00 pm
St. Gabriel the Archangel Episcopal Church
17435 N.W. West Union Road
Portland, Oregon
This service will be in-person as well as on YouTube live.
https://youtu.be/8fm3DWUzQIc
“We are grieved by recent discoveries of mass graves of Indigenous children on the grounds of former boarding schools, where Indigenous children experienced forced removal from their homes, assimilation and abuse. These acts of cultural genocide sought to erase these children’s identities as God’s beloved children.”
-from the “Statement on Indigenous boarding schools by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and President of the House of Deputies, Gay Clark Jennings, July 12, 2021
This evening donations will be accepted to support Indigi-Aid, a partnership between the Indigenous Ministries of the Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan and scores of many Episcopal communities to raise money for food, basic need items, and medical supplies to aid our Indigenous communities across the Episcopal Church who have been ravaged by the Coronavirus inflicting severe health causalities.
Painting by Bobby Von Martin, Choctaw Nation
We are continuing to observe Extended Advent at St. Gabriel’s, and tomorrow is the start of Extended Advent Week 2. Here is our Advent Family Activity Calendar, our prayers for families, and our traditional prayers for the second week of Extended Advent that begins Sunday, November 14, 2021.
Family Advent Activity Calendar for Nov. 14-20, 2021
Sun. Nov. 14th Today is the 2nd Sun. of Advent. Gather the family around the Advent wreath, light 2 purple candles, and say the prayer for the second week. Give thanks to the Lord!
Mon. Nov. 15th Even though the flowers are dying, and the trees are getting bare, there is still lots of life going on. Go out in the yard and pick up some rocks and dead leaves. What do you see? Bugs? Slugs? Worms? Insect eggs? If you’re squeamish, use a stick!
Tues. Nov. 16th After dinner tonight play a spice guessing game. Have a grownup wrap paper around the outside of spice containers from the kitchen. Pass them around and try to guess what each one is. Smells like the holidays!
Wed. Nov. 17th Take those same spices like cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and nutmegs and have a grownup put them in some apple cider or herbal tea and heat it slowly for about a half hour. Doesn’t it smell good? Serve some to everyone in a mug.
Thu. Nov. 18th There are lots of good apples this time of year. Have a grownup slice an apple horizontally midway between the top and bottom. What do you see at the core? What does it remind you of from the Christmas story?
Fri. Nov. 19th There is a full moon tonight called the Beaver Moon or Frosty Moon. If you set your alarm for 1:04 am tonight you will see a near total eclipse! Then you could go back to bed.
Sat. Nov. 20th There are 100 plants in the Bible. Look these up- which ones would you eat? Ezekiel 4:9; John 12:13, 24; Proverbs 31:16; Matthew 23:23; Matthew 13:31, Genesis 43:11; Isaiah 5:4.
Extended Advent Prayers for Families with Children
2nd Sunday of Extended Advent – The Lord 11/14/21
(Light the 1st and 2nd purple candles)
We are in the time
when our nights are growing longer,
and our days are getting short.
Yes, it can seem cold and dark.
But–when we light the candles
nestled in the green branches,
we see light shining through the darkness
and we remember what God promised us:
Jesus is coming!
Lord, show me how to love everyone.
Help me not to judge
the color of a brother’s skin,
what religion a sister practices,
what country a sibling came from,
or anything else that would separate us.
Keep us together, loving and helping each other.
We are waiting. Amen
WAYS TO HELP Foster Racial Justice:
Read out loud and discuss a Bible passage about racial justice every day this week as a family:
1 John 2:11; 1 Samuel 16:7; Acts 17:26; Exodus 22:21; Galatians 3:28; John 7:24; Leviticus 19:33-34.
Prayers for social and racial justice in BCP on pages 823, 840.
Educate your children about racial justice with books like these:
Let’s Talk About Race by Newberry Honor Book author Julius Lester
We March by Shane W. Evans
Separate Is Never Equal by Duncan Tonatiuh
I Am Whole: A Multi-Racial Children’s Book Celebrating Diversity, Language, Race and Culture by Shola Oz
Traditional Extended Advent Prayers
Prayers written by Carol A. Doran, DMA, Rev. Elise Feyerherm, PhD, and The Very Rev’d William H. Petersen, PhD, DD
2nd Sunday of Extended Advent–
The Lord 11/14/21
(2 purple candles)
Leader: As our nights grow longer and our days grow short, we look on these earthly signs–light and green branches– and remember God’s promise to our world: Christ, our Light and our Hope, will come. Listen to the words of Ezekiel the prophet:
“A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you, and make you follow my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances. Then you shall live in the land that I gave to your ancestors; and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.” (Ezekiel 36:26-28)
Candle is lit while All sing: O come, o come thou Lord of might, who to thy tribes on Sinai’s height In ancient times didst give the law, in cloud, and majesty, and awe. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!
Leader: Let us pray.
All: O Lord our God, you gave your law that righteousness might abound: Put it into our hearts to love justice for others as much as we desire it for ourselves, that, as we know you to be our judge, so we may welcome your reign as it is manifested through Jesus Christ our savior; to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be dominion and praise for and we remember what God promised us:
Jesus is coming!
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WAYS TO HELP Foster Racial Justice:
Either read and pray over or read out loud and discuss a Bible passage about racial justice every day this week as a family:
John 2:11; 1 Samuel 16:7; Acts 17:26; Exodus 22:21; Galatians 3:28; John 7:24; Leviticus 19:33-34.
Prayers for social and racial justice in BCP on pages 823, 840.
Educate yourself about racial justice with books like these:
How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism by Jemar Tisby
Be the Bridge: Pursuing God’s Heart for Racial Reconciliation by LaTasha Morrison
Educate your children about racial justice with books like these:
Let’s Talk About Race by Newberry Honor Book author Julius Lester
We March by Shane W. Evans
Separate Is Never Equal by Duncan Tonatiuh
I Am Whole: A Multi-Racial Children’s Book Celebrating Diversity, Language, Race and Culture by Shola Oz
One of St. Gabriel’s most unique observances is Extended Advent, which we celebrate for seven weeks instead of four. In its origin, the Season of Advent was nearly seven weeks long (paralleling Lent) until it was shortened to just four weeks in the 11th century by Pope Gregory VI. By expanding Advent season as originally intended we have found that this quiet time of prayer and reflection becomes more meaningful as we wait for what God promised us- a surprising Savior born as a tiny baby in a manger. For children, an earlier Advent allows time to take a pause, anticipate, and observe the quiet ritual around our sacred and ancient story before Santa and secular Christmas completely take over. St. Gabriel’s was inspired to celebrate extended Advent through “The Advent Project” created by The Very Rev’d William H. Petersen, PhD, DD, who is Emeritus Dean & Professor of Bexley Hall Seminary, an Episcopal priest, and occasional visitor to St. Gabriel’s. Rev. Petersen wrote a book What Are We Waiting For?: Re-imagining Advent for Time to Come in which St. Gabriel is featured as one of the churches observing extended Advent. Our Extended Advent booklets for the entire 2021 season are available here.
See below for our Advent Family Activity Calendar, our prayers for families, and our traditional prayers for the first week of Extended Advent that begins Sunday, November 7, 2021.
Family Advent Activity Calendar for Nov. 7- 13, 2021
Sun. Nov. 7th Today is the 1st Sun. of Advent. Gather the family around the Advent wreath after dinner or before bed. Light 1 purple candle in your Advent wreath and say the prayers from your Advent booklet. The waiting has begun!
Mon. Nov. 8th John the Baptist said, “Get ready for the coming of the Lord! How could you do that?
Tues. Nov. 9th What could you do to help prepare your house or apartment for Advent? Dusting and washing windows can be fun. Make your house sparkle in anticipation!
Wed. Nov. 10th Take some coins from your savings or ask to earn some. Each day of Advent put a coin in your popcorn box you decorated for church school. At the end of Advent, bring it to church and donate it.
Thu. Nov. 11th Today is Veterans Day, when we remember the soldiers trying to keep peace in the world and keep us safe. Say a prayer for their safety and give thanks for their work for us.
Fri. Nov. 12th To help spread peace in the world, draw a dove on white paper and cut it out. Write “peace” on it. Use clear tape to put it up on your front door or window to remind everyone what you stand for.
Sat. Nov. 13th It is still harvest time and so a great time for soup. Which one is your favorite? Ask a grownup to help you gather ingredients and make some soup for dinner. Find a simple bread recipe to go with it.
Extended Advent Prayers for Families with Children
1st Sunday of Extended Advent– Wisdom 11/7/21
(Light 1 purple candle)
We are in the time
when our nights are growing longer,
and our days are getting short.
Yes, it can seem cold and dark.
But–when we light the candles
nestled in the green branches,
we see light shining through the darkness
and we remember what God promised us:
Jesus is coming!
God, please give us the wisdom
to do what is necessary to defeat this virus.
Help people show love
by making good decisions
that help their brothers, sisters, and siblings
to stay healthy.
Give health caregivers strength
to do their difficult jobs.
We are waiting. Amen
WAYS TO HELP The sick and the healers:
- Continue handwashing with soap and water- it’s still an important way to stay healthy.
- Get vaccinated for Covid-19 and the flu and encourage others to be vaccinated. Have children under 12 vaccinated as soon as it is recommended.
- Wear a mask when in public, following guidelines.
- Donate blood if you are over 17.
- If you know a healthcare worker, ask if your family can help them with childcare, errands, meals, or housework.
- Pray for the sick from the Book of Common Prayer pages 453-461.
- For now try to avoid any risky activities that could injure you while hospitals are so full such as climbing high ladders, working on your roof, using chainsaws, and so on.
Traditional Extended Advent Prayers
Prayers written by Carol A. Doran, DMA, Rev. Elise Feyerherm, PhD, and The Very Rev’d William H. Petersen, PhD, DD
1st Sunday of Extended Advent–
Wisdom 11/7/21
(Light 1 purple candle)
Leader: As our nights grow longer and our days grow short, we look on these earthly signs–light and green branches– and remember God’s promise to our world: Christ, our Light and our Hope, will come. Listen to the words of Solomon:
“O God of my ancestors and Lord of mercy, who have made all things by your word, and by your wisdom have formed humankind to have dominion over the creatures you have made, and rule the world in holiness and righteousness, and pronounce judgment in uprightness of soul, give me the wisdom that sits by your throne, and do not reject me from among your servants….With you is wisdom, she who knows your works and was present when you made the world; she understands what is pleasing in your sight and what is right according to your commandments. Send her forth from the holy heavens, and from the throne of your glory send her, that she may labor at my side, and that I may learn what is pleasing to you.” (Wisdom of Solomon 9:1-4, 9-10)
People: God is the source of our life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. (1 Corinthians 1:30)
Candle is lit while All sing: O come, thou Wisdom from on high, who ord’rest all things mightily; to us the path of knowledge show, and
5
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
WAYS TO HELP The Homeless and the Hungry:
- Support needy families in the Beaverton School District through The Gabriel Center by donating clothing anytime; and instant food, laundry detergent pods, school supplies, or whatever is requested each month.
- Drop off non-perishable food to an Oregon Food Bank partner Rock Creek Church by Westview High School at 4470 NW 185TH Ave. Portland, OR 97229 in their drop-off box.
- Keep supplies like clean socks, water bottles, non-perishable snacks, and warm gloves in your car to give to people on highway ramps and in parking lot entries.re
- Support eviction moratoriums during the pandemic.
- Prayer in BCP for the Poor and Neglected on page 826.
image from i.pinimg.com
St. Gabriel’s joyfully returned amidst laughter and tears for hybrid in-person/Zoom worship on All Saints Sunday October 31. We figured it all out, from operating new cameras, to passing the peace in a safe manner, to having our first fellowship event in almost two years with our “Soup for Saints” Ingathering event for the culmination of our Stewardship campaign. Blessings and thanksgivings to the many hands who made it all happen.
Dear St Gabriel’s friends and family,
I am excited to announce that on Sunday, October 31st we will return to in-person worship at our 8:00 and 10:00 am services. The Wednesday 9:30 am Healing service will start in person on November 3rd. Church school and youth group activities are still in the planning stage. The Zoom option for worship will remain as part of our way to continue to connect with each other near and far.
Sunday, October 31st will be a day of great joy and celebration when we are together again. We will celebrate All Saints Day, and following the 10:00 am service SOUP FOR THE SAINTS will be served for all who want to participate. We will have chili, a chicken, and a vegetarian soup option available, along with bread and brownies. You are welcome to share the meal at the church or take it “to go”.
We will culminate our Stewardship Campaign on this day as we present and bless the pledge cards offered by the members of the congregation. If you have not returned your pledge card, we ask that you do so or be sure to bring it on October 31st. It is important to remember that as the congregation is in a time of transition, your financial support is essential. Expenses for the calling of a new Rector will increase the fiscal need in the new year. Please prayerfully discern your monetary gift to St Gabriel the Archangel parish.
I look forward to seeing you in person (and perhaps on Zoom) on October 31st.
The Covid protocols remain in effect with the expectation that attendees will be vaccinated. Please adhere to the following guidelines presented by Bishop Akiyama’s Pastoral Guidance For Safer Worship:
+Masks are required for indoor gatherings, and beginning August 27, masks are required for outdoor gatherings where distance cannot be kept between households.
+Continue to provide masks to visitors and members who arrive without one.
+Wash your hands thoroughly and often. Continue to provide hand sanitizer to visitors and staff throughout your building.
+Reduce the number of individuals gathering for in-person worship or consider online services.
+Clergy should wear a mask while preaching and celebrating the Eucharist. Lectors, cantors, and all participants in liturgy should be masked.
+Congregational singing is not advised. However, if your congregation does choose to sing, all should remain masked. Cantors, soloists, and choirs should be masked and maintain distance from each other and the congregation.
+Communion should be received in one kind only. Clergy should remind congregations that receiving Communion in one kind constitutes full Communion. (we will continue to use our wine/wafer combination until the supply is gone and then offer consecrated bread only)
+Exchanging The Peace should be done from a distance rather than in the form of a hug or handshake.
~Canon Linda
“For surely, I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope” Jeremiah 29:11
image from clipground.com/images/free-christian-clip-art
The gardens around St. Gabriel are beautiful throughout the year, but—oh—-autumn! We are grateful for the many hands that tend our grounds and Community Garden so we can bask in God’s glory surrounding our church.
Welcome to our Community Garden
Wood pile in fallen leaeves
Crabapple branch with fruit and berries
The last intact glorious sunflower head
Autumn blooms in the circle garden
There are still tomatoes left to ripen
St. Gabriel loves St. Francis and this year on Sunday October 3rd we have family and pet-friendly worship services wrapped around the love and care of animals and all creation. At 8:00 and 10:00 am we are offering online Zoom animal blessings, a video featuring the pets of St. Gabriel presented by Gabriel’s Friends, our animal ministry, young readers using a child-friendly version of the lectionary, and an unforgettable sermon with a costumed drama based on the miracle of St. Francis and the wolf.
Make sure you have your children join the service with you- in their treasure bags there is a St. Francis activity sheet with stickers they can work on as they watch and listen. If your family misses the live service, remember our services are available by the Monday after here on our website and our YouTube channel.
We will also offer an in-person pet blessing after the 10:00 am service from 11:15 am-12:00 pm. Load your darling animals into the car and drive up through the church’s upper circle parking lot. We will bless your pets while you stay masked and in the car. You don’t have to mask your pets! 😉 We hope to see you there!
image from i.pinimg.com
With the Covid-19 crisis resulting in church going exclusively online we have seen our reliance on electronic communication grow, particularly concerning our e-blasts, meeting on Zoom, our church website, and our weekly newsletter The Messenger. Now that some members have discovered the convenience and belonging that being online can bring, we realize that our online presence will be an ongoing part of St. Gabriel, even after we resume being able to meet and worship in person. Hence, the renewed importance of a renewed Communications Ministry.
The ministry will be concerned with anything that “communicates” including:
- How to create a strong, inclusive hybrid between online and in-person worship;
- Creating an editorial policy for The Messenger and website guest blogs;
- Standardizing our church “advertising” language including in The Messenger, on our Facebook and Instagram social media accounts and our website, and our church signage inside and outside;
- The most effective ways to communicate between church leadership and the congregation;
- Updating photo permissions from church members;
- Communicating St. Gabriel events and news with the Diocese of Oregon.
Would you like to join this ministry? Please contact Page Clothier at page@stgabrielpdx.org.
image from www.gettingsmart.com
YES- we know we all miss seeing each other in person, but to protect those we love we are resuming church school online over Zoom for now. We will continue to monitor the situation and meet in person finally when it feels like the safe thing to do to keep everyone healthy. We will continually assess the situation, specifically on October 31st.
St. Gabriel church school is for kids preschool up, depending on our students’ interest. Our younger students will need some support from grownups, and the older students can serve as mentors to the younger ones. Our lessons are created by teachers and based on the lectionary readings for the day, usually the Gospel. We play a fun online game or have a participatory art activity based on what we have learned. There are always two SAFE church trained teachers online with students and grownups are welcome too. Note that we have a fresh new Zoom link to join in. Get it in the password protected area at the bottom of this page, in The Messenger emailed newsletter, in our weekly e-blast, or by calling our office at 503-645-0744 during office hours.
Participating students should have had a “treasure bag,” delivered to their front porch this week full of church school supplies, Extended Advent materials, and some fun extras. Each student should have their own bag, along with one Advent bag per family. If you would like your child to receive a bag and try out online church school, let us know here.
This school year we will be providing additional support for preschool-age children who have a hard time using Zoom, and will have weekly suggestions for ways for parents to prepare them ahead of time to play the games and participate. Families will have access to the written lesson here so you can prepare younger students or present it to your child yourself if you’d prefer.
We hope to see you online- we will reassess the online vs. in-person situation constantly, specifically on October 31st but maybe earlier. See you online!
Our Church Building Must Close Again, But St. Gabriel Is Still Open
Wednesday, August 18, 2021
Greetings friends of St. Gabriel Church,
As of Thursday, August 19, all worship services at St. Gabriel will return to Zoom only. Until that time, we will not have in-sanctuary worship. We will reassess this decision on October 31.
The current reality is that the Delta variant presents a growing danger to our community and that anyone who becomes seriously ill may face a health system that is unable to care for them. From the beginning of this pandemic, St. Gabriel has placed safety first.
Since March of last year, our spiritual community has weathered this storm with determination, love and the grace of the Holy Spirit. Let us continue to do so, by caring for each other and worshiping safely until this COVID wave is behind us. Then we can all celebrate together in-person once again.
If you need a Zoom link to attend one of our worship services, go to the password-protected link at the bottom right and enter the password, or if you don’t know the password, please contact our church office during office hours at 503-645-0744 or stgabe@stgabrielonline.org, or you can try messenger@stgabrielonline.org.
~Canon Linda Potter, Interim Rector ~Rod MacDow, Sr. Warden
Be with us, Holy Spirit;
nothing can separate us from your love.
Be with us as of old,
fill us with your power,
direct all our thoughts to your goodness.
Be present, Holy Spirit;
bring faith and healing and peace.
~New Zealand Prayer Book
This will be one of our greatest tools to attract a new rector and assist our Search Committee in their important work. This online document also serves to show us who we are, what we value, and what our future could be. You may be surprised with the questionnaire results- the Profile Committee was! Know that we had very high participation in the questionnaire- way above average for other churches’ profiles. Everything you see represented in our Profile Booklet was based on the results of the questionnaire, with traditions and historical info researched from church records, interviews with former and current St. Gabriel clergy and long-time members, and information gathered from St. Gabriel’s current Ministry Heads. It’s fascinating and a wonderful portrait and record of us!
Church members please check your email for the special edition of The Messenger containing information about the presentations of the Profile to the congregation on Sunday, August 22nd after both services. If you are a member of the public and would like more information, please contact our church office at 503-645-0744 or by email.
The Profile Booklet is available to view in a PDF document by clicking here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1bbMaHlC3MPFroFOgoSFNaPVHULrFgTXU?usp=sharing
“…acting out of an abundance of caution for everyone is the most loving thing we can do.”
As you’ve no doubt heard, the Delta variant of the Corona virus is spreading through Oregon. Governor Brown has put a statewide mask mandate back in place for indoor spaces. In response, St. Gabriel has made the difficult decision to cancel or postpone all in-person indoor meetings and gatherings except for sanctuary worship, until the current wave of cases is behind us, effective immediately Friday, August 13, 2021. 
This is painful – we’ve only just begun to hold events at the church – but from the very first day of this pandemic, we’ve adhered to the primary goal of safety first for all who come here. On October 1, 2021 we will reassess this policy – we all want to reopen again as soon as it is safe.
For all of us, these setbacks are disappointing and acting out of an abundance of caution for everyone is the most loving thing we can do. With God’s help and love to sustain us and the community’s support for one another, we will make it through.
virus image from firstpost.com
The St. Gabriel community celebrated Independence Day and the glory of God by having an outdoor and online Eucharist followed by a picnic on Sunday, July 4th. What a wonderful way to celebrate together in every sense of the word!
We held our first in-person service in over a year, and on Pentecost, no less!
The 10am service was a hybrid of in-person and Zoom, with a screen set up so that folks in the church could see the folks online, and extra cameras so that the folks on Zoom could see everything going on in the sanctuary. It was an absolutely glorious combination of the new and the old. Drive-up Eucharist was also offered so that everyone could come to the Lord’s table, whether they had experienced the service online or in person. Thank you to everyone who helped make our first hybrid service a success!
Our Profile Booklet is Nearly Finished
Although it’s been a little quiet, not to worry! St. Gabriel’s Profile Committee has still been hard at work wrapping up the Profile Booklet to use in our rector search. In this digital age, our “booklet” is actually an online document rather than a printed one. The finished version will be ready to present to the vestry and clergy the first week of June, and then it will go to the diocese and the bishop for approval. After that it will be presented to the congregation and released for consideration to new rector candidates. The Search Committee that actually looks for and considers candidates is formed and ready to start meeting to continue the next step towards finding our new rector.
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Our New Church Website Design is Nearly Finished Too!
Our website is being simultaneously redesigned at the same time our Profile Booklet is being created. Our goal is to have it ready by the end of May so that when our rector candidates look at our website, it looks fresh and current and is easy to navigate. When it is live, we will let you know in The Messenger so you can take a look. Going forward we hope you will visit often for current events, news, and contact information.