One of my favorite debates in theology is over the doctrine of the Image of God.  In the creation story in Genesis 1, we read that God created humanity in God’s own image (Genesis 1:27), but the Bible never explains exactly what that means, leaving us to wonder: what is it about us that particularly reflects our Creator?

Lots of different answers have been proposed over the centuries, ranging from the intriguing to the problematic. Some have suggested that the image of God is found in our ability to think and reason, for God is the ultimate source of all reason and order in creation. This could also apply to moral reasoning, so that we reflect God when we choose good over evil. However, if we lean too heavily on this interpretation, we risk diminishing the image of God in people whose mental or physical handicaps impair their reasoning.

Perhaps, instead, we reflect God through our capacity for relationship. By insisting that God is both one and three, the doctrine of the Trinity tells us that relationality is part of God’s very nature; as chapter 4 of 1 John tells us, God is love. This divine relationality is also seen in God’s choice to create the world and to enter into relationship with us. Thus, when we build relationships and community – when we embrace love – we reveal the image of God.

Or, the image of God could be more about what we do. In the Genesis story, God is revealed as Creator – implying that we can reflect God in our own creativity. God also gives us the task of caring for creation, so that we can be images of God by being good stewards of the gifts entrusted to us (even though some Christians have treated this as a license to exploit creation rather than a responsibility to cultivate the world around us).

I think that all these interpretations have value, and that we do best not to try to limit the image of God to any one thing. But, there is one aspect of the image that I think we are particularly prone to overlook. In Genesis 1, just after creating humanity in the image of God, we see God rest from the labor of creation. Therefore, we also reflect the image of God when we rest. But, to be honest, I struggle to step away from work and to embrace rest. I strive to be a responsible reflection of God’s love and goodness, but I also need to remember that the whole world (or even this congregation) does not depend solely on me and on my labor. I’m sure that some of you need that reminder as well. So, in the coming month, I invite you to join me in looking for opportunities for rest – so that we might all be faithful reflections of the God who rests.

On Mondays at 9:00am, Christine Pickup will lead a ten to fifteen minute prayer. She shares a prepared powerpoint in the Zoom session. Each session has five components: 

• An opening Psalm or Canticle from the week's readings in Forward Day by Day
• A reading from the Bible from the week's readings in Forward Day by Day
• Intercessions from the attendees
• The Lord's Prayer
• 2 collects: one seasonal and the closing collect for Morning Prayers in the BCP

She closes with a few minutes of discussion. The powerpoints are available on demand.

Click here to join the Zoom meeting.

or use:

Meeting ID: 748 3341 8409

Passcode: 8C3fDK

Link to the Book of Common Prayer

Would you be interested in brainstorming, discussing, planning and participating in Gloria Dei missions?  

We plan to meet on the first Wednesday of every month at 9:00 on Zoom. 

If you would like an email of the zoom link, please contact Jill Duink (jillddd@hotmail.com).  

Meeting ID: 897 2826 6283   Passcode: 098374 

Join Zoom Meeting: Click here to join the Zoom.

Support local wildlife by cultivating native plants, trees and shrubs at Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church National Historic Site.

The Friends of Old Swedes, the native garden group started by the Historic Gloria Dei Preservation Corporation, meets every Sunday this spring to beautify the church grounds. This group is open to anyone interested in planting, watering and cultivating native plants. Prior experience is not necessary.

Our goal is turn the church grounds into an sustainable and educational garden space by:

• Planting natives
• Weeding & watering
• Removing invasives
• Developing signage
• Discovering varieties
• Install fencing

Please note: We will be on hiatus from July14 - August 4.

Every other Sunday, Rev. Chris Micklewright and Carol Jenkins will be leading an adventure on church grounds for kids of all ages. These adventures, which will include things like climbing the bell tower and exploring the graveyard, are a chance to learn about the life of the church, to have some fun, and to talk about faith. Immediately following the 10:00am Sunday service, kids are invited to grab a snack and gather in Riverside Hall while Rev. Chris gets ready, and we will plan to be back at Riverside Hall before noon. Parents are welcome to come along if that helps your kids feel more comfortable.

Please note: Musical Meditation will be held from 6:00-7:00pm from June 4-July 7
It will then be on hiatus July 9th to September 3rd.

Join us for a refreshed version of our popular service. Don't worry, it isn't entirely different! Paul Fejko will still be performing on our beautiful Hook & Hastings organ. Keep an eye out for some interesting guest guitarists, a drum circle, poems, and discussions that we hope will inspire you throughout the rest of the week. The program will be led by our sextons, Jim & Paula Minacci, who want to create a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere that everyone will enjoy. 

Our book group has been the source of lively discussion on the problem of gun violence in America. Even if you haven't been able to come previously, you're still welcome to join us for our last meeting, on July 2. As we wrap up our discussion of Beating Guns, we will be thinking together about how we might get more involved in advocating for change and in helping people to imagine a better world. 

Also, for those who haven't been able to join, a few copies of the book and the discussion questions are still available. Contact Rev. Chris at rector@old-swedes.org. 

Rev. Chris will be on vacation for three weeks, from July 15-August 5, as the Micklewright family enjoys camping in national parks throughout New England. During that time, Rev. Gordon Reid and Rev. Claudia Merritt will be available to help with any issues of pastoral care. Please contact Carol Jenkins or Christine McBride (our parish administrator) if you find yourself in need of pastoral care.

Sunday services will be held as usual. On July 21, a service of morning prayer will be led by Daniel Garrison Edwards (a close friend of Rev. Chris who preached at our Good Friday service - and who is the ordination process). On July 28 and August 4, services will be led by Rev. Gordon Reid. 

** Due to various travel plans during the month of July, the Vestry will be addressing any urgent business over email in lieu of a normal meeting this month. Non-urgent matters will be considered fully at our regular August meeting. **

Vestry Meetings are usually held in person in the Rectory. Please feel free to talk to Rev. Chris or any Vestry member if you have a topic that you'd like to bring before the Vestry. Zoom options are also available with advance planning. 

Our service is comprised of uplifting music, Episcopal worship and spiritual/biblical teachings. While we are always a work in progress, Gloria Dei strives to be a place where all will feel welcome in faith and spirit.

July 7 - Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

Ezekiel 2:1-5
Psalm 123
2 Corinthians 12:2-10
Mark 6:1-13

Collect: O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

July 14 - Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

Amos 7:7-15
Psalm 85:8-13
Ephesians 1:3-14
Mark 6:14-29

Collect: O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who call upon you, and grant that they may know and understand what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

July 21 - Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

Jeremiah 23:1-6
Psalm 23
Ephesians 2:11-22
Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

Collect: Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, you know our necessities before we ask and our ignorance in asking: Have compassion on our weakness, and mercifully give us those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask; through the worthiness of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

July 28 - Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

2 Kings 4:42-44
Psalm 145:10-19
Ephesians 3:14-21
John 6:1-21

Collect: O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.