9th Sunday after Pentecost: Deacon Felix Rivera to Preach; Rhythms of Grace & Potluck; Tag Sale Opportunities

August 9, 2019
Dear Hearts,
Deacon Felix Rivera will return to Christ Church this Sunday morning August 11 as our preacher; he'll also fulfill his other roles as a deacon in worship -- proclaiming the Gospel, leading the Prayers of the People, setting the table, helping with the administration of communion, and sending us into our lives of service in the world with the Dismissal.   

Later that afternoon, we'll gather for our August Rhythms of Grace service followed by a Potluck Supper.  Our gathering activiites will begin under the big, new white tent at Jacob's Beach at 5p.m.  Rhythms of Grace is for all ages and all levels of ability.  It's also a great option for those with other commitments on a Sunday morning.  The Shoreline Times had a fine report on Rhythms of Grace which you can find here.

The "Sacred Healing: Summer Film Series" series will conclude this Tuesday, August 13, with "Traces of the Trade," a documentary about the family of Episcopalians who ran the nation's largest slave trading operation out of Bristol, Rhode Island.  The film and dialogue will again be offered 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.  As challenging as the first two films were, this one cuts the closest to home.  Dennis Culliton's talks at the Guilford Library told our local version of the New England-based trade in human lives.

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 that organized to host a Mexican family seeking asylum welcomed them on Tuesday to their new home in New Haven!    Additional financial support, clothing and other forms of hands-on assistance will be needed and welcomed in the days to come.  The latest report, including the committee's contact information, will be available on the Ushers' Table.

Last Sunday, many of us came together, reeling with horror at the mass shootings of the previous week -- over 50 dead and 60 injured!  Our Bishops Ian Douglas and Laura Ahrens joined with their colleagues in Bishops United Against Gun Violence to issue a statement which you can find here.  The Bishops denounced some of the hackneyed tropes around gun violence:  They noted that the perpetrators of the shocking crimes In Gilroy, El Paso and Dayton, were all white, but most of their victims were people of color.

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!

We''re still waiting for the installation of the new super-durablekitchen floor.  Turns out that the tile we chose is so new; it's coming from the factory, pushing installation into 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!

I'm looking forward to joining you in welcoming Deacon Felix Rivera back to Christ Church this Sunday!
In faith, hope, and love,
Harrison+
YFNR
p.s. The Evening ECW is having a special August fellowship gathering -- instead of a meeting -- on Thursday, August 22; all are invited for a time of refreshment.
p.s. #2 Note that the Youth Car Wash will return on Saturday, August 24, 9a.m.-Noon at Palumbo's!