14th Sunday after Pentecost: Ministry Fair on Sunday; Walk in Guilford Fair Parade next Saturday; Sacred Paths at Hammonasset

September 14, 2019
Dear Hearts,

This Sunday, Coffee Hour will return to the Parish Hall with a special twist -- a Ministry Fair.  As in recent years, the refreshments for this Coffee Hour will be hosted by the range of parish ministries -- the forms of service, fellowship, study and witness -- that are integral to our life as Christ Church.  So,please plan to come and visit with folks engaged in a variety of ministries, thank them for what they do to enliven our parish life, and feel free to ask them that question that's been on your mind.  Who knows, maybe you'll discover a ministry that would pique your interest.

The Guilford Fair Parade is only a week away, and as many of us as wish, will be in it!  As part of our celebration of Christ Church's 275 years of worship and witness in Guilford, all of us are invited to walk together in the Guilford Fair Parade, on Saturday, September 21.  We'll be led by a celebratory banner created for the occasion by our own Pat Daunic.  We've also got t-shirts! Sudie Danaher had our logo adapted for the occasion and printed on  handsome, 100% cotton t-shirts!  I'm sure you'll want one! They will be available Sunday morning for$12 each or $20 for two.

Formation for the parade begins at 9am. on Saturday, the 21st on Whitfield Street, probably somewhere towards High Street.  We're #42 in the order of procession.  We'll need folks to carry the banner, wave balloons, hand out candy, and just smile and wave.  If some folks arrive at 9a.m., others could arrive at 9:30a.m. or even 9:45am.  The parade officially kicks off at 10a.m. goes north on Whitfield around the Green on Broad and Park, before turning onto Water; it disbands at Union Street.  The Parade theme is "Guilford Traditions;" we're certainly one of those traditions! Hope you can join the celebration!

After a noisy morning, perhaps you'd be interested in a quiet reflective walk of a different sort on Saturday afternoon.  Sacred Paths at Hammonasset: Rejoicing in Creation by the Sound, will be a "pilgrimage" walk from the beach and sound, to the rocky moraines and salt marsh near the Meigs Point Nature Center.  The walk will begin there at 2p.m. on Saturday, September 21.  At each of the four stops, we will praise the beauty around us, learn more about the wonders we see (from a park ranger), give thanks for those who protect and nourish these gifts, lament the harm we have done,and pray for the restoration and healing of the Earth through God's Spirit and human hands.

The walking will be light, and parking nearby readily available.  We'll conclude by 4:30p.m.  The Rev. Norman MacLeod, former rector of Christ Church, helped plan this event while serving the parish in Stonington; other host parishes are the Shoreline East parishes in Clinton, Madison, Guilford and North Branford.  There is no charge for the event or to park in the large Nature Center lot.  However, registration is requested; you can learn more and register by clicking here..

Preparations for the all-parish Tag Sale continue and your participation is most welcome!  Donations are being received on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings; sorting also continues then and at other times.  Flyers for you to share and post will be available on Sunday morning.  Among the new features this year are a Raffle of some special items and a Friday evening Preview-Reception; tickets will be available Sunday morning.  You can sign-up to help on the Ushers' Table and on Sign-up Genius by clicking here. Otherwise, [email protected] is communications central!

With the installation of the new ceiling lighting lenses, the Parish Hall kitchen project is complete!  The new normal for the kitchen is amazingly bright and tidy.  You'll want to route yourself through the kitchen on your way to the Ministry Fair.  This project has depended upon the patience and persistence of Vestry Member Sue Shackford.  Thanks, Sue!

As this is written, Tropical Storm Humberto is bringing storms and high seas to the Grand Bahamas and Abaco which were so devastated by Hurricane Dorian.  Episcopal Relief & Development is supporting relief efforts in the Bahamas through the Anglican Alliance, and the Dioceses in Georgia, South and North Carolina.  You can read more about these efforts here.  Our Outreach Committee asked for informational inserts in Sunday's bulletin and plans to host a "Green Tea" for hurricane relief efforts in October (in this case, "Green" is not the color of the tea, but of the bills contributed.)

What a great time we had together on Welcome Back/Renewal Sunday!  The weather was perfect!  The newly baptized, Gavin, Callan, and Lillian, were as cute as they could be, and it was a great privilege for me to lead their baptisms.  Thanks so much to their families!  Thanks also to our InReach Team led by Susan Leonard, Diana Stovall, other helpers and folks who brought sides and desserts to share.  The picnic tables were both beautifully set and bountiful to be sure!

Now it's on to the Ministry Fair and getting ready for the Parade.
In faith, hope, and love,
Harrison+
YFNR