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  2944 Erie Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45208  ·   (513) 321-6700  ·         Give

The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer
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Rector's Blog: It's Your Church

This blog is also available as a podcast.

In my first church job, whenever I would allow myself to be consumed by stress, my boss and mentor would remind me of the Pope who would conclude each day with the prayer, “It’s your church, Lord. I’m going to bed.” He’d actually paraphrase it with his own spin and say, “Your church has a lot of problems, Lord. I’m going to bed."

This was immensely helpful.

I know I am not unique in my ability to take on all the concerns of my workplace, to make them my own, to take them home with me, to not know how to shake them. Anyone who cares about their work deals with this tension. Clergy are not unique in this feeling – not at all. But we do have the tendency to think that if and when we screw up, we’re failing God. There’s a lot of baggage there for your friendly neighborhood priest. So, it’s necessary to step back from time to time and say to God, “It’s your church, Lord. I’m going to bed.” Honestly, I should be doing it every night. And you, what would your life look like if, before going to bed each night you took note of the truth that your church, your work, your life, your love, all of it belongs utterly to God? Would you sleep better?

The last 15 months have brought about challenges to our individual lives and to our shared life that was previously unimaginable. We have not always known how to let go of the accumulated stress, to disengage from the cares and preoccupations of our work, to give it all up to God and trust we are allowed to rest.

Speaking frankly, I have felt responsible to some degree for every one of you. You did not ask me to do this. I promise I know that. But it’s something clergy tend to do. Because of our passion for the job, because so much of our job is tending to your lives and hearts, because the first major COVID-19 outbreak in the US started in a worship community, because I didn’t want anyone to get COVID-19 while worshiping at Church of the Redeemer and die from it, I have felt responsible. I get the sense from our conversations throughout this time that you understand that. I don’t always know when to put it down, when to let it go, when to say, “It’s your church, Lord. I’m going to bed.”

I’m a few short days from some time off, and I can hear myself rehearsing the prayer, “It’s your church, Lord. I’m going on vacation.”

There are a few things I want to make sure we are clear about before I go. Things have been so uncertain, so we want to provide as much certainty and clarity as possible, to create a rhythm that you can count on for your summer planning. From June through August, we will have two services on Sundays – 9 & 11 am indoors. We will continue to livestream the 9am service for those who are not able to attend in person. These services will be identical and, for the time being, will require registration beforehand, and will have limited capacity. We will continue as a community not to make a distinction between vaccinated and unvaccinated people in our worship, and as such, we will continue to practice distancing and masking while gathering indoors.

Beginning this Sunday, we will allow worship leaders to remove their masks while reading, preaching, or leading the congregation in prayer. All our readers and preachers will maintain a healthy distance from others while speaking. We know it’s been difficult to watch people speak through masks, and that this will be a welcome change.

COVID-19 case numbers continue to decrease in Hamilton County, and are doing so at a very encouraging pace. While we know this virus will always be a part of our world now, we are all so excited to be able to put this pandemic in the rearview mirror, and it’s looking like that day is coming sooner and sooner. Assuming numbers continue to decrease, be on the lookout for more loosening of restrictions at Church of the Redeemer. You don’t need to worry that nothing will change while I’m on vacation. We’ve already put into place the benchmarks for removing distancing and masking requirements, and that protocol will be followed whether I’m on the clock or not. The decision-making process at Church of the Redeemer is collaborative and does not depend just on me, thank God!

All changes in worship and gathering guidelines will be clearly and repeatedly communicated on our website and in our weekly e-news. You will not have to guess at what’s happening or when.

I know you’re tired of all the rules. We are close. We are very near the end of this pandemic. Please work with us and stay the course so we can finish strong. The leadership of this church has been cautious. We have been guided by the numbers, and have collaborated with medical and public health experts on how to interpret those numbers and translate them into the context of our beloved community.

It’s likely we’ll see a lifting of all restrictions this Summer, but even when that happens, we will keep the same worship schedule until the Program year begins in September. The reasons for this are simple: your leadership, clergy, and staff need to rest. We need to use this time to recharge, and to regather our energy and stamina. We also need to work on recruiting and reorienting lay leaders who make our normal Sunday worship and programming possible so that we can go into the Fall at full speed. You can expect Rite I, Banquet, and Celtic worship to return in the Fall, as well as the formation and connection that has been a hallmark of the Church of the Redeemer for many years.

If, years from now, people look back at how the Church of the Redeemer navigated the pandemic, and their main critique is that we could’ve been back in the building, taken masks off, been back to normal a few weeks sooner than we were – well that is a critique I’m willing to accept. We got some things right as a community. We got some things wrong. We took care of each other through it all. We found ways to be church. We will move forward together in mutual love and respect.

I love you. It is one of the true honors of my life to be able to serve this community. Even when I take things too seriously and don’t know how to rest, I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with you, to know Jesus, to grow in Love. But for now, it’s your church. I’m going on vacation.


Tags: Rector's Blog

Sermons

  • Mar 20 | The Rev. Philip DeVaul
    The Present Past
  • Mar 12 | Tym House
    Direct Access to Grace
  • Mar 6 | The Rev. Philip DeVaul
    Being Righteous
  • Feb 27 | The Rev. Melanie W. J. Slane
    Two Sides of the Same Coin
  • Feb 20 | The Rev. Philip DeVaul
    Superman Transfigured

Rector's Blog

  • Mar 24 | The Rev. Philip DeVaul
    Rector's Blog, When God Feels Like It
  • Mar 17 | The Rev. Philip DeVaul
    Rector's Blog, But Through Me
  • Mar 10 | The Rev. Philip DeVaul
    Rector's Blog, Conversions - Part 2
  • Mar 3 | The Rev. Philip DeVaul
    Rector's Blog, Conversions - Part 1
  • Feb 24 | The Rev. Philip DeVaul
    Rector's Blog, Better Not Easier

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2944 Erie Ave. · Cincinnati, OH 45208
(513) 321-6700
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The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer
2944 Erie Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45208

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(513) 321-6700

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Welcome Children Service Times Membership Contact Us

Welcome to Church of the Redeemer! We invite and welcome ALL to join us in worship and community. In addition to worship, we have a vibrant music community, a fun and welcoming community for children and youth, plus offerings for everyone from young adults to seniors, covering many varied interests.

The Rev. Philip DeVaul, Rector

WHAT WE BELIEVE

We love children, and children love Church of the Redeemer!

Children are at the heart of life at Church of the Redeemer. Children learn about the word of God through our Children's Christian Education programs; they are involved in worship services, they play music in our services, and they form lifelong friendships with each other through their experiences.

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On Sundays we have an 8:00 am Holy Eucharist, Rite I service, a 9:00 am Holy Eucharist, Rite II service (which is also livestreamed), an 11:00 am Banquet Eucharist service and a 5:00 pm Celtic Eucharist service.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we offer Morning Prayer on our Online Worship Podcast.

On Wednesdays, we offer Holy Eucharist, Rite II at 6:00 pm in the Chapel.

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The community of the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer welcomes you! We are glad that you have chosen to explore your faith here and hope that this document can answer some of the questions you may have about Church of the Redeemer. We seek to be an open, inviting community. Our invitation to you is to join us as we grow in faith and reach out in love to others. At Church of the Redeemer we are always seeking to know Jesus and grow in love. We hope that in whatever ministries you undertake will strengthen your relationship with him through your ministry and fellowship here.

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PARKING: Parking is on the street. Please pay attention to the signs indicating proper parking zones. Handicapped parking is available in the front on Erie, in the back parking lot, and on the south side of Raymar.

ACCESSIBLE REDEEMER: The front entrance has a ramp and there is an elevator inside the back door and to the left. Accessible restrooms are located in the Lobby inside the front entrance.


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To give a one time gift, click the button below. To make a financial commitment for 2023, use the Commitment 2023 tab above.

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Flowers in our holy worship spaces are a beautiful gift to God and those who attend services at Church of the Redeemer as well as those being honored or remembered. A contribution to the Flower Fund is a meaningful way to honor or remember a loved one for special life events such as birthdays, anniversaries, baptisms, confirmations, thanksgivings, or in memory of a loved one.

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The Church of the Redeemer is blessed to have received special gifts from parishioners who wanted Redeemer to have permanent savings to care for our facilities and to supplement our pledge income.

Such permanent savings are often called an “endowment.” The endowed funds are permanently set aside by donors or by the Vestry. Some of our donors have specified uses for their endowment gifts. A limited portion of the funds is distributed each year to supplement our general budget. All funds are invested with professional advice.

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What about your connection to Redeemer changes the way you live in this world? Your financial commitment is a response to the work that God is doing with you here. It is a practical way to ensure that others are able to experience the relationships of holy connection and communion that are shaping your life.

For 2023, we ask that you make your commitment through regular scheduled electronic giving, if possible. Whether it be weekly or annually, giving electronically is a safe and sustainable way to ensure your continued financial support.

MAKE YOUR COMMITMENT NOW

Your planned legacy gift to the Church of the Redeemer is a practical way for you to empower generations to come. It is a powerful witness of faith, love, and gratitude. This type of gift recognizes the heritage left by those who came before us and acknowledges that we bear a responsibility to the future faithful - to insure the continuation of God’s work within and beyond Church of the Redeemer.

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