Some of you might remember that I offered opportunities for private confession last year during Lent. This was a new experience for me – and for the handful of people who took me up on the offer – and I ended up reflecting on it in an article for Root Quarterly. You can check it out in the Sub Rosa issue (available at www.rootquarterly.com), but I wanted to share some of the key ideas with you as we prepare to enter Lent again.

For the most part, I am grateful that the Episcopal tradition places confession in the context of the worship service. When we pray together, we acknowledge our imperfections - but we also remember that we are all caught up in systems of brokenness (“the evil we have done, and the evil done on our behalf”). Further, by placing confession in the context of public worship, we link it to the good news that God is working for the redemption of all creation. Confession is not meant to be about shame or guilt, but about opening ourselves to the healing work that God does in and through Jesus.

However, as much as I value our tradition of public, communal confession, there are also times when it is helpful to get more personal and specific. If you are carrying a heavy burden of shame, or if you are struggling to forgive someone, or if you just can’t seem to let go of a painful experience, it might be helpful to talk and pray about it in the context of confession. That is why our prayer book offers a rite of Reconciliation (pages 446-452), and why I am again inviting you to meet with me for private (and confidential!) confession. It is my prayer that this might be an opportunity for healing and growth during the season of Lent.

Join us for the start of Lent on March 5. Our 12:00pm service will be a simpler, spoken service, while the 6:00 evening service will have music. Both services will include the imposition of ashes and an invitation to prepare for Easter through the observance of Lent.

On Wednesdays during Lent this year, we will be gathering to study chapter 6 of the Gospel of Luke, focusing on Jesus' "Sermon on the Plain." The study will be led by Rev. Rob Erickson, a retired Presbyterian pastor from the neighborhood. By studying this great teaching from Jesus, we hope to better understand his call on our lives, and to counter some of the Christain-Nationalist rhetoric that is becoming too common in our national discourse. We plan to meet in the library of the Rudman House (the old Rectory, just to the left of the church). 

More about Rev. Rob:
Reverend Dr. Rob Erickson is a retired pastor  from Heritage Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, Virginia. He received his Masters in Divinity and Doctor in Ministry degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary. He has served Presbyterian Churches in Bensalem, Pennsylvania; Texas; Kansas, and Missouri although he is now a committed Eagles fan. He and his wife have recently moved to Queen VIllage in Philadelphia to be near family, and Rev. Erickson has been attending the Musical Meditation services at Gloria Dei on Tuesdays. Rob has traveled on missions to Israel and Gaza, Malawi, Nepal, Honduras, Hungary, Ukraine, Mexico and Puerto Rico.  He is looking forward to sharing the Lenten Bible study with his new friends at Gloria Dei (Old Swedes) Epicopal Church, and learning a little Swedish (lite Svenska) in the process.

Praying together points us to Jesus. In Matthew, Jesus reminds us of the power of community prayer:
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

For the Lent season, we will use a service from Daily Prayer with the Corrymeela Community (link here)
starting March 10 until April 14.
After Easter, we will revert to the The Morning Prayer from Northumbria Community Celtic Daily Prayer,which is available at this link.
Thanks to Pastor Chris for introducing this book to me. 

Please note the change in the Zoom link:  Click Here to Join the Zoom Meeting!

Meeting ID: 875 8998 7892
Passcode: 723011

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 have any questions, please contact Jill Duink (jillddd@hotmail.com).  
Meeting ID: 897 2826 6283   Passcode: 098374 
Join Zoom Meeting: Click here to join the Zoom.

Join us during the season of Lent for the second year of our SOS Discussion Group. This series is designed and run in partnership with the editorial team at Root Quarterly (www.rootquarterly.com), and it provides an opportunity to discuss big questions and challenges that we all face. This year, we will be focused on the topic of cultural acceleration, asking why it is so hard to keep up with all of the demands on our time and energy.

We will meet on Tuesday evenings during Lent, starting on March 11. Each week, we will gather in Riverside Hall after Musical Meditation (which starts at 6pm during Lent), and a meal will be provided. All perspectives are welcome, and discussion will not presume any religious commitments. 

“Music is a new Art with us,” wrote Benjamin Franklin to a friend in Scotland in 1763, explaining that the American colonies were still young and had not yet produced a distinctive body of music. Franklin’s statement was especially true of his adopted hometown, Philadelphia. Founded by Quakers, who eschewed all forms of music, Philadelphia was slow to develop a public musical life. By the time of the American Revolution, however, the city had a lively music scene and was the center of arts and culture in America. Of particular interest will be discussion of two important musical events at Gloria Dei (Old Swedes’) Church soon after its completion in 1700.
Admission is $10 for adults. It includes a drink ticket for a beverage (alcoholic or non-alcoholic). Advance registration is highly recommended.

Meet-and-Mingle afterward at Riverside Hall
This lecture will take place inside the church sanctuary, followed by a reception in nearby Riverside Hall. For a modest donation, you can treat yourself to delicious gourmet desserts there … and pair them with wine, coffee or tea while you chat with the speaker. 

About the speaker - 

Jack McCarthy is a longtime Philadelphia archivist and historian who has held leadership positions at several area historical institutions and directed a number of major archives and public history projects. Jack specializes in Philadelphia music history and Northeast Philadelphia history. He regularly writes, lectures, gives tours, and manages projects on these subjects. Jack has served as consulting archivist and historian for the Philadelphia Orchestra, Mann Center for the Performing Arts, and Philadelphia Jazz Legacy Project. His book, A Century of Music Under the Stars: A History of the Mann Center for the Performing Arts and Robin Hood Dell, will be published by Temple University Press in fall 2025. 

Join us for a time of music, meditiation, discussion, and community. Services typically include communal prayer, a drum circle, silent reflection, discussion of Scripture, and special musical selections. 

On March 4 at 6:30, we will have a special Muscial Meditation in honor of Fat Tuesday / Mardi Gras / Faschnaut Day. Following our usual routine of music and reflection, we will share food and drink along with festive ragtime music. 

Starting on March 11, and throughout the season of Lent, the time for Musical Meditation will move to 6pm. 

Join us for a pancake breakfast and live music in Riverside Hall after the 10:00am Sunday service. $10 per person, cash or Venmo at the door. Coffee, tea, juice, fruit, pastries and treats are all included!

It started with Linnea Borealis, the favorite Nordic flower of Franklin Quartet’s resident Finn, Marika. This led us to Swede Carl Linnaeus, the 18th century genius biologist and father of taxonomy who, like Marika, loved the flower. From there we became acquainted with Linnaeus’star student Peter Kalm. Not only did he hail from Marika’s Finnish stomping grounds, but he also became a teacher of one of her ancestors. He sailed to Philadelphia in 1748 where he became good friends with Benjamin Franklin. Peter Kalm also established close connections with the church of Weekacko, aka Old Swedes, where Franklin Quartet will present this concert.

Join Franklin Quartet in celebrating these amazing connections and let us take you on a musical journey of rarely heard 18th and 19th Century Swedish Quartet repertoire pearls by Amanda Maier-Röntgen, Joseph Martin Kraus, and Franz Berwald.
Admission is $30 for adults, $15 for students with I.D. and $5 for children under 12. It includes a drink ticket for a beverage (alcoholic or non-alcoholic). Advance registration is highly recommended.

Meet-and-Mingle afterward at Riverside Hall
This concert will take place inside the church sanctuary, followed by a reception in nearby Riverside Hall. For a modest donation, you can treat yourself to delicious gourmet desserts there … and pair them with wine, coffee or tea while you chat with the performers. 

One night only! Listen to the masterful sounds of E.J. Simpson, and his tribute to the Broadway hit Jesus Christ Superstar. Doors open at 6:30, show begins at 7:30. Beverages and snacks will be available, as well as some cool vendors selling their wares. Don't miss it!

 Click here to buy tickets.

Please join us on a monthly basis to pack meals for people in need in Kensington. Lunches are packed in Riverside Hall immediately following Sunday services. The meals are then delivered to Prevention Point for distribution. To learn more about the work of Prevention Point, see their website at: https://ppponline.org

Upcoming dates are: 
March 30, April 27, May 18, and June 22. 

Join us for Holy Week this year, as we remember and participate in the mysteries at the heart of our faith. Begining with Palm Sunday and ending with Easter, there will be numerous opportunities to participate throughout the week. More details about the various services are available on our website. 

Palm Sunday -
Sunday, April 13, starting at 10am
Stations of the Cross -
Come at your convenience throughout the week
Musical Meditation and SOS Discussion Group -
Tuesday, April 15, starting at 6pm
Community Meal and Maundy Thursday Service -
Thursday, April 17, starting at 5:30pm
Good Friday Family Service -
Friday, April 18, starting at 12pm
Good Friday Liturgy with Solemn Collects -
Friday, April 18, starting at 7pm
Easter Vigil -
Saturday, April 19, starting at 7:30pm, with a wine and cheese reception after the service
Easter Sunday Service -
Sunday, April 20, starting at 10am
Easter Egg Hunt and Community Brunch -
Sunday, April 20, immediately after the Easter Service

Our Easter Sunday service will be at 10:00am.

Join us for an egg hunt and communal fellowship immediately following the service.

FROM THE RECORDS OF GLORIA DEI

March 6, 1853
Confirmation - Church was so crowded that people had to leave before the service started.

March 8, 1919
Ida V MacFarland died.  She taught Sunday School from 1863 - 1919.

March 19, 1782
First Thanksgiving Day - proclaimed by President John Hanson.

March 23, 1823
Ann Eliza Anderson died. The cause of death was a fall from sitting on the adult privy seat.  She was 5 years old.

March 31, 1878
John & Martha Neil had two sets of twins baptized. John Henry and Eleanor Peno born June 6, 1876.  Margaret Dole & Jeremiah Francis born February 1, 1878.

REMARKABLE OCCURRENCES

March 30, 1807
A decent couple came. The bride, the intended husband, and her brother affirmed that her first husband a sailor had died on a voyage to Ile of France, two years ago. But, as all the three had an interest in the affair, I could not rely on their testimony alone, and refused. She was 26 yrs. of age, by her account, and appeared so. Two other men, and one woman came with them, but had no knowledge about her first husband.

March 30,1808
Early p.m. a man of good appearance and of middle age, came witha d of a gentleman well known to me. Gen.  now holding. a civil office and resid. in Phila. She appeared to be above 21 by some years. Her name and relation was freely acknowledged, and his consent was also by her affirmed, but not so clearly. On my refusal until I had seen him, they declined, saying that they would try to get married this ev. as they were going to leave town immediately afterwards.

March 21, 1809
A middle aged woman asked if I could marry a couple, and antedated the certificate for  11 yrs. They had been married by some minister who was dead, and had left no records, and a child of theirs was dead. The woman feared that in case of her demise the property come by her, would be carried from the husband by her brother. Answer Anted. is imposs. Advice to be qualified before a magistrate that they were married - If they really had not been to get married immediately. She said that in the country where they lived, probably was no minister, and that besides, they in that case; wished to be married here in order to conceal the time.

TOMBSTONE INSCRIPTIONS

In Memory of George Lindenmyer and Judith his Wife
who departed this life March 10th in the 64 year 
of their age and in the years of our Lord 1765 and 1769 in the month of March

Our Mother Sacred to the memory of Mrs. Rosanna Kelly
Relict of Capt. John Kelly
Born June 27th 1789
Died March 24th 1862 aged 73 years.
“Thy sun shall no more go down, neither
shall thy morn withdraw itself;
for the Lord shall be thine everlasting
light, and the days of thy mourning
shall be ended.  Isaiah 4 x Chap. 20 ver.

Here Lieth the body of John Lungren
a native of the province of Smoland, in Sweden w
ho departed this life the 3d day of March 1816 
aged 64 years 10 months and 5 days.
Happy soul they days are ended
With the mourning days below
Go, by Angel guards attended
To the sight of Jesus, go
Waiting to receive they spirit
Lo the Saviour stands above
Shows the purchase of his merit
Preaches out the crown of love

ARTICLES FROM THE OLD SWEDES TODAY

March 1917 - The Sunday-School in 1863

As my thoughts go back to the past, the first Sunday School building, on South Water Street, comes before me.
The first floor was used for the boys, the second for the girls, in the latter department were ten classes seated on circular benches.  The superintendent of the girls’ classes was “dear old Dr. Clay,” as we loved to call him, while Mr. Lewis Gillingham filled that position in the boys’ department.
Each Sunday we recited the collect for the day, a hymn, and part of the catechism, all prepared at home, and were taught a Scripture lesson, committing the verses to memory.  We had no musical instrument, but the tunes were raised by Dr. Clay, and sung with great spirit.  Dr. Clay was a thorough Churchman and we were well grounded in the Church doctrine.
The present Infant School was formed during Dr. Clay’s last illness.
On the last Sunday of each month, a service known as “Children’s Church” was held in the church itself, when we were expected to recite the catechism from memory.
When the offering was taken, the class having the largest amount was given an additional fifty cents.  All of the offerings were sent to the Nashota Mission, in which Dr. Clay was much interested. Ida. V. Mac Farland.

1919 - Mrs. MacFarland

Mrs. MacFarland’s unique association with the Sunday School dating from about 1865 as the founder and head of its Infant Department, and her complete identification with all the children who have come and gone for more than fifty years, gave her a peculiar hold upon the abiding affections of the Sunday School and Church members.  Through her charitable work on behalf of the Church, and of Mr. and Mrs. Simes, she was known and loved amongst the poor of the neighborhood, as well, and many of them gave evidence of their regard at the time of her funeral.  Suddenly, in the first week of March, she was called to rest, and the Church she loved and served so well was the scene of the farewell tribute paid by those whose faith and loyalty had often been aroused and stimulated by her own. It is hoped at some later time to pay tribute to her many services.  Unassuming and quiet in the things she did, the full record of her years of work for the Master will never be know upon earth.  We shall particularly miss her as an adviser in the Church’s work; and to her son and daughter our heartfelt sympathy is extended in the missing of one so good and true.

March Bulletin 1947

Professor Carl Miller came on from Detroit recently and had lunch with the Rector and a few friends in the Rectory.  The purpose of his visit was to inspect the two historical ship models which he ordered made in Malmo, Sweden, last summer.  These replicas of the Flying Giffon and the Key of Kalmars, the ships which in 1638 brought the first European settlers to the Delaware Valley, are on display at present in the Vestry and will be hung later in the Church.

Have you noticed the seven pairs of shutters on the great windows of the Church?  These are careful reproductions of the originals that were in place as late as 1828.  They are the gift of Mrs. Charles Blinn and will be dedicated in the Spring.

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.

March 2 – Last Sunday after the Epiphany

• Exodus 34:29-35
• 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2
• Luke 9:28-36, [37-43a]
• Psalm 99

Collect: O God, who before the passion of your only ­begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

March 9 – First Sunday in Lent

• Deuteronomy 26:1-11
• Romans 10:8b-13
• Luke 4:1-13
• Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16

Collect: Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

March 16 – Second Sunday in Lent

• Genesis 15:1-12,17-18
• Philippians 3:17-4:1
• Luke 13:31-35
• Psalm 27

Collect: O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

March 23 – Third Sunday in Lent

• Exodus 3:1-15
• 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
• Luke 13:1-9
• Psalm 63:1-8

Collect: Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

March 30 – Fourth Sunday in Lent

• Joshua 5:9-12
• 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
• Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
• Psalm 32

Collect: Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.