8th Week after Pentecost: Films for Racial Justice Continue; Local Support for Asylum-Seekers; Tag Sale Opportunities

                                                                                                                               August 2, 2019
Dear Hearts,
Last Tuesday was a busy evening; so Diane Kyle and I were the only Christ Church folks to participate in the first evening of "Sacred Healing: A Summer Film Series.  Diane was one of the organizers from the co-sponsoring South Central and the North Central Regions; they did a terrific job!  As we arrived, there were friendly greetings, and an array of snacks and beverages.  After an opening devotion, the evening program began with brief opportunities to get acquainted with other participants, a couple short videos to help "set the stage," and tips on what to do if the film triggered unwelcome physical responses.  Then we watched the evening's film, "Blindspotting" co-written by and co-starring Daveed Diggs. I hadn't seen it before.  I found it to be a compelling and troubling look at life in contemporary Oakland, California; it addresses themes of gentrification, guilt-for-being-black, and educational and economic inequality from the vantage of those who experience the negative consequences.  The two lead characters are life-long friends, one white and one black. The conversation that followed the film was constructive and helpful.  After closing prayers, we all left with much to consider.

The series will continue this Tuesday, August 6, with Spike Lee's film, "Do the Right Thing," again in the air-conditioned parish hall of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Wallingford 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, and plan to leave the Rectory at 4:50p.m.

This film series is part of a concerted effort within the Episcopal Church in Connecticut to attend to Racial Healing, Justice and Reconciliation as a gospel mandate.  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.

The local community group organizing to host a Mexican family seeking asylum plans to welcome them to their new home in New Haven next week!   Working with IRIS and First Congregational Church for services and funding fiduciaries, the Sponsorship Support Team has secured a small apartment in New Haven close to the services this family of five will need.  Volunteers are setting up the apartment this weekend.  Additional financial support, clothing and other forms of assistance will be welcomed in the days to come.  The committee's contact information is available  on the Ushers' Table.

Preparations for the all-parish Tag Sale continue!  Donations are now being received on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings.   Gently-used housewares -- cookware, china, glassware, small kitchen items -- are all being welcomed -- along with sports equipment, children's toys and games, Christmas decorations, CDs and DVDs.  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.  You can sign-up on the Ushers' Table and on Sign-up Genius by clicking here.  Otherwise, ChurchTagSale@gmail.com is communications central!

The date for installing the new super-durable kitchen floor got bumped again this week.  Turns out that the selected tile is no longer available and a new one had to be chosen.  It's so new; it'll have to come from the factory, pushing installation beyond next week.  After the floor is installed, Kay Claiborn and Diana Stovall will invite those who share their passion for clean and well-ordered cabinets to join them 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!

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