All Saints' 2021 - Permission to remember and grieve

When a day feels heavy, perhaps hearing a song or reading a phrase or seeing an image breaks us open, so that a swell of emotions rise up and pour out. I imagine the ocean, as waters rise up into a tall wave; once that crescendo topples over and the white waters subside, there is calm.

Through the last 19 months of stress, fear, loss, and concern due to the pandemic and its aftermath, we need spaces to allow the hard feelings of tension and grief to pour out of us…so that life feels a little smoother and beautiful. Some find solace in joining together in a quiet, prayerful space. That is what we will offer in the Nave at Saint Stephen’s at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, November 1. We will have a special Eucharist for the Feast of All Saints to grieve and pray through the great losses we have experienced together during the pandemic. A livestream of this event will also be shared for those unable to join in person or to view at a later time.

As we express our grief in a multitude of ways, Saint Stephen’s is inviting people to honor those they have lost visually – by bringing pictures of loved ones and place them in front of the Altar between November 1 and 7. We also invite you to share the names of those who have died, as we worship on the Feast of All Saints. These names will be read aloud during prayers offered during our special Monday night service and on Sunday, November 7. You can submit names here – all shared by October 27 will be included in the printed bulletin.

And if you have questions about this service, placing pictures in our nave, or how to remember loved ones, please reach out to the Rev. Katherine Harper.