OCTOBER 10-16, 1011
More than 800 million people are active users of Facebook, and 75% of these users are outside the United States. Facebook and other social media sites did not exist a decade ago, but now they have become part of the daily lives of a great number of people throughout the world. These sites have tremendous power to form and deform our relationships. How do we understand, how do we use these tools in light of what we believe about God and human community.
With social media, our lives are much more public; our privacy, which perhaps we no longer even desire, is beginning to disappear. Now we spend hours meditating on and molding how we present our lives online. We can spend more time wondering how our lives appear from the outside than we do living; more time in a virtual world than in the real one.
This week’s Old Testament and Gospel texts are powerful proclamations of the Lordship of the living God over all of human life, even Facebook and Twitter. Above is information about an Ethics in Media forum taking place next week at Incarnation that will focus on social media. Whether or not you are able to attend, it is helpful to meditate on how we can affirm the presence of a loving God in even our online lives.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
THIS WEEK AT INCARNATION
Monday, October 10 Church and Parish House closed for Columbus Day.
Tuesday, October 11 8:00 am. Morning Prayer in the Chapel of the Nativity. All are welcome. Coffee and pastries are served after the prayer service. Enter at 25 East 35 Street.
Wednesday, October 12 12:15 pm. Holy Eucharist.
Friday, October 14 12:15 pm. Holy Eucharist with Prayers for Healing.
__________________________________________________________________________________
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16
8:30 am: Holy Eucharist
Homily: the Rector
10:00 am: Adult Forum
All are welcome in the Parish House dining room for coffee, tea and conversation. This week’s topic: “Why Bother With Bishops?”
11:00 am: Holy Eucharist
Sermon: the Rector
Sunday School program, Godly Play, for children aged 3 to 9.
Nursery Care is available for children during the 11 o’clock service.
5:00 pm: Candlelight Communion service
Meditation: The Assistant Minister
The Scripture Readings for Sunday are Exodus 33:12-23, Psalm 99, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22.
__________________________________________________________________________________
COMING UP AT INCARNATION
Tues., October 18 6:30 pm. Ethics in Media Forum on the topic, “Ethics in Social Media.” Please see above for details.
Tues., October 25 20s/30s Drinks and Discussion. Topic: Work and Salvation – Please join us for a conversation about the emotional and spiritual significance of work in our lives. We will meet at the Parish House at 7:30pm and head to a local bar for drinks and discussion. As always, the first drink – be it a Coke or a beer – is on the church.
Fri., October 28 7:00 pm. Annual Parish Dinner. Our theme this year is “Counting Our Blessings.” We will feast on hearty Italian fare, while playing penny Bingo, enjoying special entertainment and hearing brief testimonials from fellow by church members. Dessert will be courtesy of a Pot Luck, so please bring your favorite treat to add to our decadent spread of sweets. Suggested donation is $10. RSVP to the church office by calling 212-689-6350 or emailing info@churchoftheincarnation.org.
Sun., November 6 5:00 pm. Memorial Evensong featuring the world premiere of “Herrick’s Anthems” by David Del Tredici.
Tues., November 11 7:00 pm. Women’s Group. Please join us for a light dinner in the Parish House and a discussion of Women and St. Paul.