 June 29, 2021
Almighty God, whose blessed apostles Peter and Paul glorified you by their martyrdom: Grant that your Church instructed by their teaching and example, and knit together in unity by your Spirit, may ever stand firm upon the one foundation, which is Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Dear Hearts, Today the Church gives thanks for the life and witness of the two greatest leaders of the Early Church. St. Paul and St. Peter. Although they each have their own feast days in January -- the Confession of St. Peter and the Conversion of St. Paul, today we remember that, although sometimes at odds with one another, they were united in their unwavering witness to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. They were martyred in Rome in 64 A.D. Peter and Paul are the two figures depicted on either side of Jesus in the stained glass window over Christ Church's altar. The official name of Washington National Cathedral, is the Cathedral Church of St. Peter and St. Paul; the towers on the cathedral's west front are named for St. Peter and St. Paul, one to the north and the other to the south. They each have their own individuality and integrity, and they present a unified witness to the world. Let us also pray for all who have been commended to the prayers of the parish: All who are ill or in distress, including Bill, Jude, Jonathan, and family members of the victims of the tower collapse in Florida; and for all who are contending with Covid-19 disease; for medical caregivers ministering of God's healing gifts; and for all facing financial hardship. May they all know the healing power of Christ's presence and love. For the victims of the Champlain South Tower collapse; and for all who have died, including the over 604,000 of our fellow citizens claimed by the coronavirus. Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord; may light perpetual shine upon them. Let us offer thanksgivings for the birthdays of Bob Cairns, and Winnie Seibert May they continue to grow in wisdom and grace. Please also continue to pray for Jim F, Kelly F & family, Aunts Chris and Margie, John P, Craig L, Carol U, Maureen S, Eugenia, and Ann S, Elizabeth, Jim R, Kevin, Danielle, Amy B, Virginia, Sonny P, Alex M. Maryanne M, Diane L, Dale, Buster, Jimmy C, Patrick and family, Felipe, Richard D, Alice M, Elizabeth Ann, Parker, Webb, Jill, Andrew E, Ed C, Pastor Bryan Meyers, Bob C, Sue S, George H, Alex & John H, Jeremy H, Shelly, Philippe, Kate, Frank, Jack, Judy & Ed S, Michael M, Richard D, Dave K, Brian A, Annie, John, Lois C., Winnie Z, Bernie and , Susie & Paul, Pam McG, Julie H, Murray E., Brooke & family, Kate S., Tracy M., Carl, Michael S, Joanne N-R, Madeline H, and Kelly G, Also: Susan S, Linda B, Charlie K, Anne C, Mark S, Angela G, Maria, Bob, and Olivia; Please also remember: St. Luke’s School & Church in Martel (Haiti) To add names and concerns for Wednesday's and Sunday's intercessions, and this "Let Us Pray" letter, please send them to YFNR at [email protected] with any details you care to share. Names will move to the longer term list upon request. Wednesday's Order for Evening will offer readings, hymns and prayers to mark the Eve of the Church's commemoration of Pauli Murray, the legal scholar and civil rights activist who became the first African American woman ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church. She is also the namesake of one of Yale's new Colleges.The livestream of the service will start just before 7p.m. via www.facebook.com/cecguilford. This service will conclude our Wednesday evening services for this program year. Planning and helping to offer them has been one of the anchors and highlights of my week over the past 15 months. Thanks to all who participated and made it part of their week! Thursday Bible Study has concluded its academic year, and begins summer vacation. Thursday morning Bible Study will return on September 16. Vacation Bible School Dates: As promised, drum roll please, today's the day to announce the dates of our Vacation Bible School for the summer of 2021: They are -- Monday-Friday, August 16-20! Mark your calendars, and be thinking of whom you could invite to participate. Last "Let Us Pray" Letter? Together with the Wednesday Order for Evening service, this letter began as a way to stay connected in prayer during the week. Thanks to those of you who told me you found it helpful, and sometimes even interesting. I have felt that writing it was an important way for me to stay in touch with you. That said, this letter will go on sabbatical and vacation with me during July and August. There will be more news about the summer, and plans for the fall, in the July newsletter out later this week. In the faith, hope and love of Christ, Harrison+ Your Friendly Neighborhood Rector
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 "Lemonade in the Shade," follows the 10a.m. service. Stop by the table in the shade out the north door (Town Hall-side). for ato greet visitors and catch up with fellow parishioners. Please also consider providing lemonade or iced-tea, and sign-up on the clipboard.
Calendar Planning Meeting for the fall will begin in the Parish Hall at 11:45a.m. with windows and fans turned on. Our goal will be to combine the dates that our programs and groups have for their events, to avoid conflicts, and to aid parish communication. Please be sure that your group or ministry is represented at this meeting! We'll try to get to December 31st in 45 minutes! Sunday Morning Worship: 9a.m. Morning Prayer in the Garden. Please remember a lawn chair, and to watch your distance. Service moves into the Parish Hall with open windows in case of rain. 10a.m. Holy Eucharist. Two options: 1. Participate inside the nave; 2. Participate via livestream. For the inside, in-person option, please remember to wear a mask, and maintain distance between "bubbles" of families and friends. Communion will be distributed in one kind (wafers) to those who wish to receive at the Children's Altar; Spiritual Communion prayer will remain available. Notwithstanding the historic importance of the common cup in Anglicanism, our Bishops assure us that communion in one kind (i.e. wafers) does make for a full communion. Our Outreach Team thanks all who used their gifts of hospitality by providing snacks (or funds) to support the mission of CT Violence Intervention Program with at-risk teens in New Haven. All your contributions have been delivered and the window sills are bare again. This Sunday concludes this appeal. And remember, if you'd prefer to provide a donation, the Team will shop for you. Our Outreach Team was instrumental in helping plan and support this past week's Youth Mission Challenge. Our 13 youth participants and YFNR all learned and did a lot thanks to Jenifer McShane, Debbie & Antonio Greco, Winnie Seibert, Suky & Rodger Bryan, Jennifer Huebner, Page Pelphrey, and First Congregational Church's Chaplain Charlotte White. On Sunday morning, we'll bless the five backpacks for men newly released from incarceration assembled by our youth during Monday's Challenge. Sunday School is now on summer vacation. Nonetheless, the Sunday Paper, Jr. -- a cartoon re-telling of Sunday's gospel for all ages -- remains available. There are insights here for all ages! The dates in August for Vacation Bible School will be announced on Tuesday morning. Tag Sale Donations of housewares and small furniture items (i.e. they'll fit in your trunk) may be left in the former nursery Monday-Friday, 10a.m.-3p.m. and Saturday, 10a.m.-noon. Wednesday's Order for Evening will celebrate the Eve of the Commemoration of Pauli Murray, Episcopal priest, legal scholar, civil rights activist, and Yale College namesake. Join our livestream prayers and hymns, Wednesday evening, June 30, at 7p.m. This week's service will conclude our Wednesday Order for Evening services -- at least for the summer. Thursday Bible Study is now on summer vacation. The walls of Jericho have tumbled down, and, to conclude the book bearing his name, Joshua has led a ritual to renew the Covenant. The Thursday group does plan to gather socially on occasion during the summer. Regular study gatherings will resume on September 16. 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 candle stub for prayers at home. Thanks to all for your faithfulness! Thanks to your faithfulness, we are able to continue our shared life of worship and witness with renewed hope. Please continue your financial support of our common life by bringing your offering to a service, or by mailing to Christ Church, PO Box 574, Guilford, CT 06437. In the faith, hope and love of Christ, Harrison+ YFNR  Sunday, June 20, 2021, Fathers' Day: Our Youth Mission Challenge are actually three challenges this Monday-Wednesday June 21-23: These challenges for our rising, continuing and graduated high schoolers involve: Assembling Re-Entry Bags for those newly released; Meal Prep of to-go meals for the CT Violence Intervention Program; and Lunch for Community Soup Kitchen at Christ Church, New Haven. Typically 9a.m. to noonish. It's not too late to let YFNR know of your interest! Sunday Morning Worship: 9a.m. Morning Prayer in the Garden. Please remember a mask, a lawn chair, and to watch your distance. Service moves into the Parish Hall with open windows in case of rain. 10a.m. Holy Eucharist. Two options: 1. Participate inside the nave; 2. Participate via livestream. For the inside, in-person option, please remember to wear a mask, and maintain distance between "bubbles" of families and friends. Communion will be distributed in one kind (wafers) to those who wish to receive at the Children's Altar; Spiritual Communion prayer will remain available. Last Sunday, we experimented with "Lemonade in the Shade," following the 10a.m. service, in place of a Virtual Coffee hour, or gathering inside under the balcony; and it was well-received. Fingers crossed that the weather will permit it again this Sunday. Our Outreach Team invites us all to use our gifts of hospitality to support the mission of CT Violence Intervention Program with at-risk teens in New Haven. Let's help get the young folks' attention by providing snack items for program participants. Please leave contributions on a window sill in the nave, or, if you'd prefer to provide a donation, the Team will shop for you. Sunday School is now on summer vacation. Nonetheless, the Sunday Papers will continue once I learn how to post them. Look for this week's midweek. Thanks to all who provided a card and/or a donation for a farewell "purse" for Tyler Jarvis. Our gifts, plus a donation from the Rector's Discretionary Fund, brought the "purse" to $950! Was great to welcome our next Director for Children and Youth Ministries, Dorota Xeller, to our staff meeting, on Tuesday! Look for announcements on June 29 for the dates of Vacation Bible School and about the return to in-person Sunday School in September. Wednesday's Order for Evening will celebrate the Eve of the Nativity of John the Baptist. Join our livestream prayers and hymns, Wednesday evening, June 23, at 7p.m. Thursday Bible Study did not quite make it, last week, to when the walls of Jericho , "... came tumbling down" in the Book of Joshua. We'll begin with that at 9:30a.m. Thursday, June 24 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 candle stub for prayers at home. Thanks to all for your faithfulness! Thanks to your faithfulness, we are able to continue our shared life of worship and witness, and look with renewed hope to the future. Please continue your financial support of our common life by bringing your offering to a service, or by mailing to Christ Church, PO Box 574, Guilford, CT 06437. In the faith, hope and love of Christ, Harrison+ YFNR p.s. Honoring Juneteenth: A Celebration of Resilience! Click here for our Bishops invitation to learn about, and respond to, the history of this newest national holiday. Juneteenth celebrates the liberation of enslaved people in Texas on June 19th, 1865, almost two and one half years after the proclamation of the Emancipation Proclamation. Slavery would not end throughout the country until the ratification of the 13th Amendment almost six months later. Our struggle continues to live into our Baptismal Promise "to respect the dignity of every human being." June 16. 2021
Almighty God, look with favor upon your servants who are celebrating the completion of their studies, and the commencement of their next endeavors: We thank you for all the people who have supported them on their journeys so far; for having brought them through 15 difficult months, and we beseech you to continue to sustain them in your Spirit with joy and wonder in all your works. Amen. Dear Hearts, From where I'm sitting, I can see the preparations underway on the Green for tomorrow's graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2021. As much fun as last year's graduation parade may have been for the Class of 2020, this return to the Green is certainly worthy of giving thanks! I understand that promotion ceremonies are happening today at our elementary and middle schools. Congratulations to the students and their parents! On Sunday, we celebrated our graduating seniors: Matthew Cabrejo, Sabrina Doria, Keelyn Ervin, Megan McNamara, Juliette Perez, Sophia Perez, Olivia Ste. Marie, Hannah Tillier, and Lauren Walczyk. May the Holy Spirit guide and strengthen you, as you seek to discover and strengthen your gifts in the service of God's Creation. Let us also pray for all who have been commended to the prayers of the parish: All who are ill, including Jim F, Kelly F & family, Levi, Suzanne K, Aunt Chris and Aunt Margie; and for all who are contending with Covid-19 disease; for medical caregivers ministering of God's healing gifts; and for all facing financial hardship. May they all know the healing power of Christ's presence and love. All who have died, including the over 600,000 of our fellow citizens claimed by the coronavirus. Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord; may light perpetual shine upon them. Let us offer our thanksgivings for the birthdays of Dennis Burke, Jude Iovanna and Joan Stewart, May they continue to grow in wisdom and grace. And celebrate and give thanks for Guilford High School's Women's LaCrosse State Championship Team, including Ella Clarke and Hannah Tillier! We thank you for challenges that call on our best efforts, and for leading us to accomplishments that satisfy and delight us all. Please also continue to pray for John P, Craig L, Carol U, Maureen S, Eugenia, and Ann S, Elizabeth, Jim R, Kevin, Danielle, Amy B, Virginia, Sonny P, Alex M. Maryanne M, Diane L, Jason, Peter, Dale, Buster, Jimmy C, Patrick and family, Felipe, Richard D, Alice M, Elizabeth Ann, Parker, Webb, Jill, Andrew E, Ed C, Pastor Bryan Meyers, Bob C, Sue S, George H, Alex & John H, Jeremy H, Shelly, Philippe, Kate, Frank, Jack, Judy & Ed S, Michael M, Richard D, Dave K, Brian A, Annie, John, Lois C., Winnie Z, Bernie and family, Susie & Paul, Pam McG, Julie H, Murray E., Brooke & family, Kate S., Tracy M., Carl, Michael S, Joanne N-R, Madeline H, and Kelly G, Also: Susan S, Linda B, Charlie K, Anne C, Mark S, Angela G, Maria, Bob, and Olivia; Please also remember: St. Luke’s School & Church in Martel (Haiti) To add names and concerns for Wednesday's and Sunday's intercessions, and this "Let Us Pray" letter, please send them to YFNR at [email protected] with any details you care to share. Names will move to the longer term list upon request. Wednesday's Order for Evening will offer readings, hymns and prayers to mark the commemoration of Bishop Joseph Butler, a 18th century theologian celebrated for his faithful and well-reasoned proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Thelivestream of the service will start just before 7p.m. via www.facebook.com/cecguilford. Thursday Bible Study continues June 17 at 9:30a.m. with the story of how the walls of Jericho came tumbling down, in the Book of Joshua. Join the conversation via this Zoom code. There are no prerequisites or homework! Our revised worship schedule will continue all summer: 9a.m. Morning Prayer in the Garden 10a.m. Holy Eucharist, in-person and via livestream In place of the Virtual Coffee Hour, we'll share "Lemonade in the Shade" following the 10a.m. service. Thank you for your patience as we finesse the details of our re-gathered worship. In the faith, hope and love of Christ, Harrison+ Your Friendly Neighborhood Rector  Summer Worship Schedule Continues June 13:
9a.m. Morning Prayer in the Garden. Please remember a mask, a lawn chair, and to watch your distance. 10a.m. Holy Eucharist. Two options: 1. Participate inside the nave; 2. Participate via livestream. For the inside, in-person option, please remember to wear a mask, and maintain distance between "bubbles" of families and friends. Communion will be distributed in one kind (wafers) to those who wish to receive at the Children's Altar; Spiritual Communion prayer will remain available. Was great to see so many people on June 6! This Sunday we'll be celebrating our graduating high school seniors. Following the 10a.m. service, in place of a Virtual Coffee hour, or gathering under the balcony, let's try "Lemonade in the Shade." Our Outreach Team invites us all to use our gifts of hospitality to support the mission of CT Violence Intervention Program with at-risk teens in New Haven. Let's help get the young folks' attention by providing snack items for program participants. Please leave contributions on a window sill in the nave, or, if you'd prefer to provide a donation, the Team will shop for you. With this Digital Sunday School, Tyler Jarvis, our Children and Youth Ministries Director says good bye after 18 months with us! In his introductory video, Tyler points to God's ability to do great things with what might seem unlikely materials -- like the tiniest of seeds or a youngest child. What might God be up to with unlikely things or people in our lives, in us? Have a look at the Sunday Paper Jr., and see if you can thread the maze from seed, to sprout, to growing plant, to fruit bearing. The routes are not a straight line! If you enjoy the Sunday Papers as I do, be assured they will continue during the summer. It's not too late to contribute a card and/or contribution for Tyler's farewell "purse." We hope to mail all that we've received this week.. Was so great to greet our next Director, Dorota Xeller last Sunday! She begins officially this week. Youth Mission Challenge coming June 21-23. Three different morning challenges for our rising, continuing and graduated high schoolers: Meal Prep for CT Violence Intervention Program; Assembling Re-Entry Bags for those newly released; and Lunch for Community Soup Kitchen at Christ Church, New Haven. Typically 9a.m. to noonish. Wednesday's Order for Evening will commemorate 18th century bishop and theologian Joseph Butler. Join our livestream prayers and hymns, Wednesday evening, June 16, at 7p.m. Thursday Bible Study may brake into song, "... and the walls came tumbling down" as we read about the curious way God causes the walls of Jericho to fall beginning at 9:30a.m. Thursday, June 17 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 candle stub for prayers at home. Thanks to all for your faithfulness! Thanks to your faithfulness, we are able to continue our shared life of worship and witness, and look with renewed hope to the future. Please continue your financial support of our common life by bringing your offering to a service, or by mailing to Christ Church, PO Box 574, Guilford, CT 06437. In the faith, hope and love of Christ, Harrison+ YFNR p.s. Here's a link to the reports to the Annual Parish Meeting, including the Agenda and Nominating Committee Report for our reconvened meeting on June 6th. The Committee's slate was elected. That was such a lovely occasion! Thanks again to the InReach Team for organizing the box lunch picnic!  Reconvened Annual Parish Meeting Sunday,
June 6, 2021: Summer Worship Schedule Begins June 6: 9a.m. Morning Prayer in the Garden. Please remember a mask, a lawn chair, and to watch your distance. 10a.m. Holy Eucharist. Two options: 1. Participate inside the nave; 2. Participate via livestream. For the inside, in-person option, please remember to wear a mask, and maintain distance between "bubbles" of families and friends. Communion will be distributed in one kind (wafers) to those who wish to receive at the Children's Altar; Spiritual Communion prayer will remain available. Please consider our re-gathering inside as a work-in-progress. Let's be gentle with one another, our process, and our expectations. Following the 10a.m. service, at about 11:15a.m., we will move to the garden for a box-lunch picnic and to reconvene our Annual Parish Meeting. We have folks to thank, elections to ratify, news to share, and catching-up to do. Our Outreach Team invites us all to use our gifts of hospitality to support the mission of CT Violence Intervention Program with at-risk teens in New Haven. Please bring snack items to church with you on Sunday, or, if you'd prefer to provide a donation, the Team will shop for you. Digital Sunday School has returned for its last two Sundays with Children and Youth Ministries Director Tyler Jarvis. In this Sunday's introductory video, Hebrew Bible Scholar that he is, Tyler points to what God is up to with the ancient Israelites, and that he's up to something similar with those closest to Jesus. Might God be up to something like that with us? Have a look at the Sunday Paper Jr., and see if you can find all 8 differences between the two drawings; I only found seven. Since Tyler has received his degree, and his lease was up, he and his family have returned to Texas. Nonetheless, it's not too late to contribute a card and/or contribution for his farewell "purse." We hope to mail all that we've received after his final Digital Sunday School, June 13. Look for the exciting announcement about our next Director! Thanks to Community Soup Kitchen Helpers: Thanks to Bill Cuddy, Jennifer Huebner, Megan McNamara, Winnie Seibert, Diana Stoval, Bobbi Stuart, Hannah Tillier and Susan Tillier for making over 100 sandwiches and baking double that many brownies for our neighbors served by the Community Soup Kitchen at Christ Church, New Haven. Winnie and I made the delivery and helped with serving on Wednesday, and wow, folks were grateful -- especially for the home-baked brownies! Wednesday's Order for Evening will commemorate the great celtic saint, Columba of Iona. Join our livestream prayers and hymns, Wednesday evening, June 9, at 7p.m. Thursday Bible Study will look at a story I'm surprised I learned as a child in Sunday School -- the one about Jesus' ancestor, Rahab the "Harlot" in the book of Joshua. The conquest of Jericho raises some touchy questions which we won't dodge beginning at 9:30a.m. Thursday, June 10 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 candle stub for prayers at home. Thanks to all for your faithfulness! Thanks to your faithfulness, we are able to continue our shared life of worship and witness, and look with renewed hope to the future. Please continue your financial support of our common life by bringing your offering to a service, or by mailing to Christ Church, PO Box 574, Guilford, CT 06437. In the faith, hope and love of Christ, Harrison+ YFNR p.s. Copies of Forward Day by Day for May-July will be back in their usual spot in the narthex. They are also available to be picked-up on the chancel table with the candle stubs. |
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