Wednesday, March 4, 2015

The Rev. Paul Cuffee

Today the Church remembers the life and ministry of Paul Cuffee:
 
A little west of the junction of the old road to Riverhead is a small tract of land owned by the Shinnecock tribe of Indians, although how it came into their possession is unknown. Upon this tract is a plain marble tombstone, surrounded by a neat fence. This marks the last resting place of Rev. Paul Cuffee. The tombstone tells its own story: "Erected by the New York Missionary Society, in memory of the Rev. Paul Cuffee, an Indian of the Shinnecock tribe, who was employed by the Society for the last thirteeen years of his life, on the Eastern part of Long Island, where he labored the fidelity and success. Humble, pious and indefatigable in testifying the gospel of the grace of God, he finished his course with joy on the 7th of March, 1812, aged 55 years and 3 days". . . . The journeyings of Paul Cuffee extended from Poosepatuck to Montauk, and were made on foot.
 
— from A History of Long Island, from Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time, Vol. 2, by William S Pelletreau (1905).
 
Let us pray: Almighty God, you empowered Paul Cuffee to be a powerful evangelist and preacher and so to win many souls for Christ among the Native Americans of Long Island: Help us to proclaim your Word with power, in the Name of the same Jesus Christ; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
 
Patricia High, wife of the Rt. Rev. Rayford B. High, Jr., died March 4 at her home. She was 72. Services in celebration of her life will be at 1 p.m. March 7 at  All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 5001 Crestline Road, Fort Worth. The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, Bishop of Texas, will officiate.  Let us pray: Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant Patricia. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive her into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.
 
CALENDAR REMINDERS
 
Tonight at Grace Episcopal Church we have the second speaker in our Lenten Series, Rule of Life, with the Very Rev. Barkley Thompson, Dean of the Cathedral at 6 PM with Stations of the Cross, Eucharist, dinner and our speaker!
 
Please remember everyone on our Prayer List.
 
Your servant in Christ,
 
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550

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