11th Sunday after Pentecost:Youth Car Wash on Saturday!Toll the Bell on Sunday; Shed Clean-out on Saturday

August 16, 2019
Dear Hearts,

Please bring your car to the Youth Car Wash at Palumbo's on Saturday, August 24 between 9a.m. and noon.  You'll find a large group of our young folk ready to wash your car.  Your generous donation will help support their service and special activities. Judging by the forecast, the Committee on Weather will provide a perfect car-washing day.  Note that the car wash will be at Palumbo's Automotive, on Route 1 between North River and Fair Streets.

Many thanks to Sue Shackford, Donna LaFata, and all the parent volunteers, for doing the organizing and support for the car wash, and to Palumbo's for hosting it! 

This Sunday, August 25, marks the 400th anniversary of the first landing of enslaved African men and women in English North America; their captors "traded" them for provisions.  Thus began the slave trade in what would become the United States of America.  The National Park Service tells their story here. The Park Service is inviting individuals and communities to ring bells to recall the events of this day at 3p.m.  Our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry invites and encourages The Episcopal Church to participate in the attached video. 

Parishes across Connecticut are responding; and thanks to the leadership of Mark Sullivan and the Rev. Mary Anne Osborn, Christ Church will respond, as well.  They will lead a brief service of prayers and hymns beginning at 2:45p.m. in the church's nave that will include tolling our bell at 3p.m.  

The latest update from the local community group hosting a Mexican family seeking asylum will be available on the Ushers' Table. It includes contact information and specific needs.. 

Preparations for the all-parish Tag Sale continue!  Donations arebeing received on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings.   Gently-used housewares -- cookware, china, glassware, small kitchen items -- are all being welcomed -- along with sports equipment, children's toys and games, Christmas decorations, CDs and DVDs.  Plans will be announced about furniture. Please remember, no computers or other electronic items, please.  As you consider items you might donate, please also consider donating your time to this all-parish effort.  You can sign-up on the Ushers' Table and on Sign-up Genius by clicking here.  Otherwise, ChurchTagSale@gmail.com is communications central!

And the long wait for the installation of the new super-durablekitchen floor. may soon be over; installtation is now scheduled for Thursday, August 29.   However, it turns out that there's been a delay in installing a new set of ceiling lenses.  After the new surfaces are installed,  Kay Claiborn and Diana Stovall will invite those who share their passion for clean and well-ordered cabinets to join them to install shelf-lining and to wash and restore the cabinet contents to their newly-repainted homes. All this work in the Parish Hall kitchen is funded by designated-donations from several individuals, the morning 12-Step group "Joy of Living," and our own ECW,  Thanks to all of them!

Thanks to Tony Leonard and Dirck Goss for cleaning out the garden shed and improvising a steady floor for the lawnmower.  This is another step in Tony's effort to extend the life of the lawnmower. However, the shed is on borrowed time; replacing it -- perhaps in a better location -- will need attention sooner or later.

I am on vacation in Oregon through Thursday, September 5.  Parish Office emails and voice messages are being  monitored.  I look at my own email once a day.  Please be in touch with Mark Sullivan for access to the building.  The Rev. Mary Anne Osborn will preach and celebrate on Sundays August 25 and September 1; please join me in thanking her! Thanks Mary Anne! 
 
In faith, hope, and love,
Harrison+
YFNR
p.s.  Long-time members will remember Eileen Hope Cordtz.  In conversation with her family, I learned that services will be offered for her, on Tuesday, August 27 at 1p.m. in Trinity Episcopal Church in Branford, where she raised her children.