Fr. Harrison's Letter for November 27, 2016

Dear Hearts,

Since this Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent, we begin a new Church Year:  Our focus shifts to a posture of watchful and expectant waiting, the indigo altar hangings reflect the color of the night sky just before dawn, and we light the first candle on the Advent wreath against the increasing winter darkness.  So it seems appropriate to introduce "Once More the Advent Candles Burn," an Advent carol written by William Flanders (priest, friend, husband of Susan, Yale grad); it will serve as our Hymn of Praise at 10 a.m. this year,  I hope it will move you as much as it does me.
 
If it's the end of November, the Tree-Lighting on the Green must be coming soon.  It is next Friday, December 2! 

The Tree-Lighting also celebrates light in the midst of darkness, and our accompanying events add to the evening’s brightness:  Invite your family and friends to enjoy our ...
 
Chili-Supper -- Warm yourselves against the evening chill with delicious chili prepared to your preferred degree of hotness – con carne and vegetarian;
Please be in touch with Jennifer Huebner about helping with set-up, cooking, serving, baking cornbread and clean-up.

Cookie Sale – for dessert this year, Chili Supper patrons will be directed to the bounty of cookies and other holiday treats at the ECW’s sale table; you'll be able to purchase favorites to take home and enjoy later.
Please consider baking your homemade favorites and donating them on Thursday or Friday, Dec. 1 or 2.

Wreath Sale – who knows, the Middle School youth might still have a few wreaths that have not been pre-sold!  Check out their handiwork in the rectory garage, and get a cup of hot chocolate while you browse! 

sFOURzando Piano Extravaganza – Be delighted as two to four people, four-to-eight hands, perform favorites from this entertaining repertoire on the nave’s Steinway!  Before radio and television, before vinyl and digital recordings, folks entertained at home by gathering around the piano!  We’ll gather with Vicky Reeve and three friends for a lot of fun!

Proceeds from the Chili Supper and Concert will support Guilford Interfaith Volunteers’ Meals-on-Wheels, making sure our neighbors have a daily hot meal. 
 
This Thanksgiving weekend, I am giving thanks for

• All the food you donated last Sunday!  Your gifts covered the Children's altar area, and helped fill grocery bags with Thanksgiving feast-making goodies. All our Guilford neighbors were surely able to celebrate.
• David Jones' leadership of Morning Prayer, David Oshana's organizing the Presiding Bishop's sermon simulcast in the Parish Hall; Laurie Varley and our Sunday School's offering an extended session during the PB's sermon.
• Your goodwill and flexibility about a Sunday schedule adjusted to take advantage of the PB's sermon;  I have heard only about how grateful folks were to hear Bishop Curry's message!   
• Our Choir's participation and Mark Sullivan's leadership in the Interfaith Thanks + Giving Choral celebration!  The music was truly lovely and the opportunity to gather as an interfaith community, a powerful witness.
• And a special thanks to all of you who have returned an "Estimate of Giving" Card for 2017!  Thanks also to those who are even now looking for the card and envelope to get them on their way!

Bishop Curry's text from Isaiah 51, for an anxious and fearful people:

Listen to me, you that pursue righteousness,
   you that seek the Lord.
Look to the rock from which you were hewn,
   and to the quarry from which you were dug.

In faith and hope,
Harrison+
YFNR
​
p.s. In response to a query from many of you, folks at The Commons are working to make Bishop Curry's sermon available online.

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