All Saints Gazette: Blessed are the Losers
This week at All Saints:
M t/m F, 9:00 and 18:00-Morning and Evening Prayer (Zoom)
Sunday, 17:30—Eucharist at Vrijburg, dinner after
(See calendar for link to Zoom events)
This Sunday, we will encounter one of Jesus’ most famous teachings, the Beatitudes (so called because it’s a list that starts each with “Blessed are…”). The version of this teaching in Matthew 5 is very well known, but our cycle of readings gives us Luke’s version this year. Matthew gives seven blessings on those who exercise certain virtues (those who are “poor in spirit,” “hunger and thirst for righteousness,” “the peacemakers,” etc.) Luke gives four blessings, but his version doesn’t commend virtues. There, Jesus blesses “you who are poor,” “you who are hungry,” “you who weep now,” and “you, when people hate hate you”). In short, blessed are the losers. Blessed are those who are marginalized, shut down, neglected, hated, or who tried to do something and it didn’t work.
As long as wealth, success, power, and whatever else are unjustly distributed in a winner-take-all economy, Jesus is with those who lose. Jesus is not with those who win power and decide over others’ fate, but with those whose fate is decided over. People may die in the sea because Europe won’t take them in through the official crossings, or die of treatable diseases because the US cut its foreign aid, or be displaced because someone decides their presence is inconvenient. But Jesus is with them and calls them blessed. Jesus is with you and calls you blessed.
Oh, and Luke also adds four curses. We’ll talk about it more Sunday! Come join us. If you can, bring a dish to share afterward (whatever you have is welcome; accommodation of common dietary restrictions is appreciated when possible).
Still Paperless
Just a reminder to bring a smartphone or tablet if you have one. And if you have an extra one, consider bringing it to share. We use an online bulletin to minimize the environmental and financial impact.
Anglican Summer School
The Convocation and a couple friends sponsor this summer class in Utrecht for those wanting to learn more about Anglican Christianity, particularly here in Europe. More information and sign up here!
Other Upcoming Convocation Offerings
Beloved Community Presents their APL: “All Saints Are Welcome”
Saturday, February 22nd, 10:00-12:00
(Online)
Racial Justice Beloved Community, in partnership with EICS, presents a second session of their APL series "All Sinners Are Welcome", encouraging and teaching how to explore radical hospitality, self-reflection, and the pursuit of Beloved Community within the church.
Through panel discussion and interactive small group sessions we will discuss “Who is the Church For?”, examine “What Does Welcome Mean?”, and explore “Becoming Beloved Community.”
Here’s the link to register.
European Institute of Christian Studies
Lenten APL: Episcopal 101
March 11 - April 1, 19:00-20:30
This Lent EICS will present a 4 week series on “Episcopal 101,” an online course meant to introduce newcomers or re-familiarize long-term members with core tenants, traditions and beliefs in the Episcopal Church. Each week will have a separate theme, and each requires individual registration. Each session is independent of the other, join 1 or all as you wish!
Individual registration links:
March 11: History
March 18: Polity and Mission
March 25: Liturgy and Sacraments
April 1: Anglican Temperament and Spirituality
Daily Prayer Continues
Every weekday at 9:00 and 18:00 there will (almost) always at least one other person online for the daily office. Join in when you can! If you want to pray the office on your own, you can do it with a prayer book or any of several online resources. Let Mpho or Kyle know if you’d like a quick tutorial!
“For God loveth…”
…everyone! But also, “a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7)!
We are still working on tax-exempt status. In the meantime, please invest what you can in the community you want, and try putting in just a little more than you first feel comfortable with (without causing yourself hardship, of course). There is enough if we share! Please hold our upcoming pledge drive in your prayers, in addition to supporting us as you are presently able.
Use the QR code or this link, or make a transfer through your banking app (the latter saves us a few cents). Please consider making your offering recurring, and pray about what you are called to pledge when we have our winter pledge drive.
Bank details
All Saints Amsterdam
IBAN NL32 TRIO 0320 8657 62
BIC TRIONL2U
Beatitudes for Choir
The Beatitudes (especially Matthew’s version) have inspired a lot of art and often been set to music. Here is the Estonian composer Arvo Pärt’s setting, sung by the Chor of King’s College, Cambridge.
That’s all for Today! Want to talk to a priest? We want to talk to you too!
Website: https://allsaintsamsterdam.church
Mpho: mpho@allsaintsamsterdam.church
Kyle: kyle@allsaintsamsterdam.church
General: info@allsaintsamsterdam.church
Instagram: @allsaintsamsterdam.church
