3 Epiphany: Soup for Chapel-on-the-Green; Mitten Tree Bounty! About Loving One's Neighbor When It Is Difficult

January 26, 2019
 
Dear Hearts,
This is being written as gallons of soup cools; this hearty vegetable-beef soup was made this morning from scratch for the Chapel-on-the-Green in New Haven. We are hosting tomorrow's 2p.m. worship service and lunch together with our Guilford neighbors from St. John's Church.  Our contingent will gather at 1p.m on Sunday, January 27,. to carpool to New Haven with our re-heated soup, and other lunch goodies.

A warm thank-you to all who provided gloves, mittens and other items on the Mitten Tree.  As of Saturday morning, we had received 100 pair of (mostly men's) gloves and mittens.  I've heard stories that some of you (thank you Jen M, Rose R and Winnie S) invited friends and colleagues -- and even a merchant -- to join our Mitten Tree challenge.  The response has been truly awesome.  If you have gloves to bring with you on Sunday, please do so;  they will be gratefully received! 

A special thank-you to our soup-makers and brownie chefs including Hailey H and her friend Ava, and Hannah T, Megan M, and those of "riper years" (as the earlier prayer books put it) Cindy F, Jennifer H, Kay C, Mary Anne O, Rose R, Winnie S, and YFNR; together they did all that cooking and had the kitchen clean and everything put away between 10a.m. and noon!  A special shout-out to Pat K on whose recipe and shopping list we depended!

Since this Sunday, January 27 is what passes for a "typical" Sunday for Christ Church, Children's Chapel, Sunday School and the (6th-9th grade) Youth Program will meet at their usual times and places this Sunday.  

The Rectory Forum will pay attention to the second sermon in Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's new book, The Power of Love.  This was the opening sermon for last summer's General Convention; in it, Bishop Michael set out the seven aspects of "The Way of Love" -- dimensions of the "Way" to follow Jesus. 

The Power of Love, and "The Way of Love" are all dimensions of what the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., called the "Beloved Community," the community of those reconciled to God and one another.  When asked how to love those who are not loveable, Bishop Michael says it takes practice.  And it takes training to put the seven helpful practices which he recommends to use:  Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, Go, & Rest. (We will be spending more time with these practices during Lent..) In response, Bishop Michael also quotes Dr King's disciplines for those who were preparing to engage in non-violent actions:

• Remember, the nonviolent movement seeks justice and reconciliation, not just victory.
• Remember to walk and talk in a manner of love, for God is love.
• Remember, sacrifice personal wishes so that all might be free.
• Remember, observe with friend and foe alike, the ordinary, normal rules of courtesy.
• Remember, perform services for one another and for the world.
• Remember, refrain from violence of the fist and violence of the spirit.
• Remember, strive to be in good bodily and spiritual health.

And always, as you prepare ... Remember to meditate on the life and teachings of Jesus.(as quoted in, The Power of Love, p. 34.)

Thanks to all who were able to safely gather for worship last Sunday; we were perhaps a little less than half our usual number.   We gave thanks for all who made it safe for us to travel,  remembered before God those who were at home, heard a fine sermon from Felix Rivera, and enjoyed a lovely ad hoc Coffee Hour following the 10a.m. service.  I will say, that from my perspective, the music at 10 was particularly lovely; there seemed a special spirit to both the choral and congregational singing.  I look forward to this Sunday with you!
In faith, hope, and love,
Harrison+
YFNR
p.s.  If you missed out on making soup, or baking brownies this Saturday, you'll have a second chance next Saturday!  We'll be making the same soup to accompany our Annual Parish Meeting.  We'll get underway in the Parish Hall Kitchen at 10a.m. on Saturday; help serving or cleaning-up on Sunday will also be appreciated.