Dear People of Gloria Dei:

I write to you before heading out on a trip to visit National Parks in New England for a few weeks. Many of you know that my family loves the National Parks - which makes it such a privilege to serve at a church that is also a National Park Site! I am immensely grateful that our country has prioritized the experience of wonder and beauty in the preservation of the parks. 

Getting outside and exploring nature is one of my favorite ways of experiencing God's presence. It's so easy for people - and especially for me - to get caught up in a world of ideas. And, since the Reformation, churches have tended to be particularly concerned about theological truth and about whether we have the "right" ideas about God. But when we hike a mountain or swim in the ocean or stare at the stars, we are reminded that God is always bigger and more wonderful than even our best ideas. Truth and theology do matter (indeed, I think they are indispensable), but they are ultimately secondary to the experience of God.  

So, I encourage you this month to join me in making time to get outside and to experience the wonder of God through the beauty of creation. 

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.

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.

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.

"The Music of U2 Played Live in the Context of Worship"

Join us for a worship service incorporating the music of U2, played by live musicians. For more details on the history of such services, check out the Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U2charist. 

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

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

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. 

August 4 - Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

Exodus 16:2-4,9-15
Psalm 78:23-29
Ephesians 4:1-16
John 6:24-35

Collect: Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

August 11 - Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

1 Kings 19:4-8
Psalm 34:1-8
Ephesians 4:25-5:2
John 6:35, 41-51

Collect: Grant to us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who cannot exist without you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

August 18 - Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Proverbs 9:1-6
Psalm 34:9-14
Ephesians 5:15-20
John 6:51-58

Collect: Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life: Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of his redeeming work, and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

August 25 - Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Joshua 24:1-2a,14-18
Psalm 34:15-22
Ephesians 6:10-20
John 6:56-69

Collect: Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.