2nd Sunday after Pentecost: Sunday -- Jeremiah Mead Organ Recital; Monday-Friday -- Vacation Bible School

June 22, 2019
Dear Hearts,

Jeremiah Mead will offer a recital of works for pipe organ by Bach, Buxtehude, Vierne, and Langlais at 4p.m. on Sunday, June 23.  Jerry, a native of Madison CT, has finished his second year at The Julliard School in NYC, and practices on our instrument while at home.  So, he offers this recital again at no charge.  Now that windows are open, I enjoy listening to him practice.  This Sunday afternoon, you too can enjoy his expanding organ repertoire.  

Vacation Bible School begins Monday morning June 24 at 9a.m. and continues 9a.m.-Noon through Friday, June 28. There'll be Bible stories and related crafts, songs, playtime, and of course, snacks!  The code words for the week are Faith, Boldness, Kindness, Thankfulness & Hope;  the password is Ep3-20("Glory to God whose power working in us can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine."); and there'll be some fun facts about Mars to share as well!  Registrations are still being received:  Click here and scroll to the bottom of the page to register.
Thanks to Page Pelphrey and Donna LaFata for leading our VBS!  Mark Sullivan will lead the music segment, and I'll be around to greet, pray, and generally help-out.

Our Pentecost celebrations were pretty terrific, thanks to the efforts of Susan Leonard and her InReach Team including Senior Warden Rose Robinson. Grillmasters David Jones and Annie Rae kept the hamburgers and hot dogs coming; Soundmaster Chris Robinson assembled an outdoor system for music and announcements; and you all came through with some terrific southern side dishes and desserts.  This was all to celebratePat Wakefield's 21 years of faithful ministry with us, to say thank you and send Pat & Curtiss on their way with our blessings. 

The shadow over the morning was the sudden decline in the health of Pat's  father.  As you probably heard or read, Charles Gunn did die later that week.  This had been a long good-bye for Charlie and his family, and he was receiving hospice-care.  His obituary is available here.
May he rest in peace, and
light perpetual shine upon him.
 
On Friday of this week, Page Pelphrey and her charges -- including Keelyn E -- will pack up the supplies they've been gathering for Vacation Bible School in the Dominican Republic.  They'll leave a week from today.  So, one last time, here's a list of needed supplies:
Children's scissors     Sticker name tags     Glue-sticks    Frizbees 
Index cards     Gallon zip-lock bags      Construction paper    
Feathers      Beads     Cupcake liners     Bubbles and bubble wands

As you may have surmised, I have indeed returned from the Holy Land Pilgrimage of the Episcopal Church in CT.  It was a terrific experience, and Jack-the-dog had a great time at his resort; but we are both glad to be sleeping in our own beds again.  Thanks to Mark Sullivan, Sheward Hagerty  and others for checking voice and email messages, and handling building access. Thanks also to the Rev. Mary Anne Osborn for serving as your celebrant and preacher on June 16.

There will be other times and places for me to share the experience of this pilgrimage to Israel/Palestine.  At this point, I need to finish labeling my photos while the memories are still fresh.  One thing I will say is that it was a real privilege to worship last Sunday with the people of Christ Church (Episcopal) in Nazareth.  Although it was Trinity Sunday, it was like Pentecost all over again: we worshiped in Arabic, English and Japanese.  There were pilgrims from Delaware, North Carolina and the Anglican Church of Japan (properly called the Nippon Seiko Kai).  We also met the Episcopal Archbishop of Jerusalem, and visited one of the Diocese's 16 institutions for healing and learning.  We can be very proud of the Episcopal witness in our Holy Land.
 
Because of our Vacation Bible School this week, please don't expect voice and e-mail messages to be returned until the afternoon. Please do be in touch if you would like to participate in a carpool for the Deacons' Ordination service at Christ Church Cathedral, in Hartford on Saturday, June 29 at 3p.m.  Our deacon-intern Felix Rivera will be among the ordinands.  Parking will be available, across the street, in the Hartford Stage garage.  The Cathedral validates tickets. 

In the meantime, I look forward to sharing tomorrow's worship and recital with you all..
 In faith, hope, and love,
Harrison+
YFNR