3 Easter, Digital Sunday School Returns, "Love is the Way"

April 18, 2021

Spring Training for Connecticut Episcopalians concludes Saturday morning, April 17 with a plenary session focused on "Parish Life After Covid."  All Are Welcome.  It's not too late to register here.

Represent South Central Region on BTC:  Our South Central Region's Leadership Team invites applications from clergy and laity willing to serve on the Bishop Transition Committee.  Invitation details available here.  Responses are due Sunday! 

Easter Worship Continues:   Easter is not a one-day event:  Easter lasts for 50 days!  There are more Easter hymns to sing; more Easter readings to hear; more Alleluias to shout!
     Our 10a.m. livestream will include beautiful music, great hymns, and Spiritual Communion.
     As this is written, the forecast for Sunday, April 18 includes sunshine for our Prayers in the Garden at 1p.m.!  A variety of spring flowers have flourished through the rain.  Please remember your lawn chair and mask.
      
Digital Sunday School has returned from Spring Break!  You'll want to check out Children and Youth Ministries Director Tyler Jarvis' letter with all the links to videos, songs, coloring pages, and discussion topics, as well as his video introduction to Sunday's readings here.  He talks about the "resurrection work" that still needs to be done, and asks, how can we participate in that work?
      Also check out this message about the upcoming "Pentecost Pageant."

In his latest book, Love is the Way: Holding onto Hope in Troubling Times, I think Presiding Bishop Michael Curry offers one response to Tyler's question.  Bishop Curry reflects on how God's love has come into his life and the life of others to sustain him and them during oppression, loss and sorrow.  It's available online, and your favorite brick-and-mortar bookstore can order it for you.
    Our evening discussions continue Tuesday evenings; and a parallel Rectory Forum conversation continues Sunday mornings at 9a.m.  Here's the Zoom link for the Sunday Forum. 

Virtual Coffee Hour:  We didn't get to questions or concerns regarding Bishop Ian's call for his successor's election last Sunday; maybe this week?  The link to YFNR's Personal Zoom Room seems to work well.  So, join the conversation via Zoom on Sunday, April 18 at 11:30a.m. by clicking this link. 

Wednesday's Order for Evening will celebrate the faithful theological inquiry of St. Anselm of Canterbury.  Far from an abstract discipline, Anselm understood theology as "faith seeking understanding." Join our livestream prayers and hymns, Wednesday evening, April 21, at 7p.m.
 
Thursday Bible Study is following the narrative of the Israelites' wandering into the Book of Numbers.  There are some truly memorable stories coming up!  Our conversation continues 9:30a.m. Thursday, April 22, via Zoom.

Intercessory Prayer: Please help shape the Prayers of the People, by replying to this message with the people, birthdays, anniversaries, and concerns you would like included in the Prayers of the People.

      We are continuing our experiment with leaving the door closest to the Guild Room unlocked between 10a.m. and at least 3p.m.  Please enjoy a quiet moment of prayer, likely alone, and pick up a remaining Easter lily to share, and a candle stub for prayers at home.

Thanks to all who are mailing in your offerings!  
Although our in-person connections remain limited, the routine of the parish continues.  Thanks to your faithfulness, we are able to continue our shared life of worship and witness -- even while maintaining appropriate distances.  Please continue your financial support of our common life by bringing your offering to the altar, or the parish office, or by mailing to Christ Church, PO Box 574, Guilford, CT 06437.  Your offering will be presented at the altar; it will be physically present, while you remain safely at home.
In the faith, hope and love of Christ,
Harrison+
YFNR