7th Week after Pentecost: Films for Racial Reconciliation; Local Support for Asylum-Seekers; Kitchen Update

July 27, 2019
Dear Hearts,
Our South Central Region and the North Central Region are co-sponsoring "Sacred Healing: A Summer Film Series" on three Tuesday evenings beginning this week.  Each evening will include a film and time for dialogue on themes of racial justice, healing. and reconciliation  The dialogue will use materials from this year's Trinity Institute in NYC for the films Blindspotting, Do the Right Thing, and Traces of the Trade.  The series will be offered in the air-conditioned parish hall of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Wallingford on July 30, August 6 and 13 from 5:30pm to 9p.m.  Snacks and water will be available, but not supper.  Registration is requested via Eventbrite here; there is no charge.  I'm happy to drive; will be leaving the Rectory at 4:50p.m.

This film series is part of an concerted effort within the Episcopal Church in Connecticut to attend to Racial Healing, J,ustice and Reconciliation.  The ministry network overseeing this effort is organizing a trip to the Smithsonian Museum of African-American Culture & History, November 16-17.  Details are available here.

A local community group is organizing to host a Mexican family seeking asylum in the United States.  They are already within the county, and have asylum-seeking status.  Working with IRIS and First Congregational Church for services and funding fiduciaries, the Sponsorship Support Team is working to widen the circle of financial support and assistance to settle a family of five -- a mother and four children (girls 6 and 12, and boys 13 and 16) in New Haven close to the services they will need -- while their request for asylum works its way through the system.  Details and contact information are available in a print-out on the Ushers' Table.

Unfortunately, the date for installing the new super-durable kitchen floor got bumped from last week to this week.  When the boxes of tile were opened, the installers discovered that half were not usable.  A replacement order is due early this week.  Fingers crossed!  Kay Clairborn and Diana Stovall are inviting those who share their passion for clean and well-ordered cabinets to join them in the kitchen at 9:30a.m., Thursday morning to install shelf-lining and to wash and restore the Coffee Hour supplies, carafes, service items, china and glassware to the newly-repainted cabinets.

The kitchen repainting and new flooring are being funded by designated-donations from several individuals, the morning 12-Step group "Joy of Living," and our own ECW,  Thanks to all of them!

Donations are now being received on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings for the Tag Sale.   Do you have some gently-used housewares looking for a new home?  China, glassware, small kitchen items, sports equipment, children's toys and games are all welcome, Christmas decorations, CDs and DVDs, also,  Furniture is not being received at this time. Also, 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.  ChurchTagSale@gmail.com is communication central!

Wherever this week finds you, I hope that you are keeping cool and having a fine summer.
In faith, hope, and love,
Harrison+
YFNR