 July 29, 2020
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 Dear Hearts, As the saying goes, "Here's one to needlepoint and put in the sampler above the fireplace," in a time when so much seems out of joint. In the face of the ever-present threat of death from the rulers and would-be powers of his day, and from creation -- with famine then devastating the eastern Mediterranean, Paul wrote this soaring expression of confidence in the abiding presence of God's love revealed in Jesus. May his hope sustain us in a time such as ours. Acting on that hope, our Outreach Team agreed that we should offer the whole parish, a Mission Challenge to provide a Wednesday lunch for the Community Soup Kitchen in New Haven. You may remember this was one of the Youth Mission Challenges in June (all of which they met in a sterling fashion!). And so, yesterday, parishioners picked up makings for 300 sandwiches and 200 brownies; those will be returned today (by 10:30a.m. please!) for packing in sack lunches for those on the margins in New Haven as the month ends. When the call went out, the Sign-up Genius was filled within 24 hours! What a wonderful testimony to God's love working through us for folks who truly need a tangible sign of God's love for them. Our prayers are asked for ---- All who are ill including, Elena P, Ann B, Margaret S, and Michael M; for Dale and all others contending with Covid-19 disease, and for all facing financial hardship because of the pandemic. May they all know the healing power of Christ's presence and love. For the repose of Jean Landon Smith; and for the over 145,000 of our fellow citizens, who have died of the coronavirus; Remember your servants, O Lord, according to the favor you bear unto all your children. Let us send up prayers of thanksgiving for the birthdays of June Chittick and Jean Valentine Watch over your servants, O Lord, as their days increase; bless and guide them; and may your peace abide with them all the days of their lives. In gratitude, for Sunday's Sunday School Celebration in the parish's backyard (and for the lovely breeze!) and for all those involved in making all those sandwiches and brownies, and delivering and serving them: We thank you for calling us to tasks that require our best efforts, and leading to accomplishments that delight and satisfy us and benefit others in need. Please continue to hold in prayer: Richard L, Richard, D, Dave K, Brian A, Emily L, Tim H, John, Joan G., 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, Kelly G, Also: Paul D, Bob vM, Susan S, Linda B, June C, Charlie K, Anne C, Mark S, Angela G, Maria, Bob, Olivia, Lois T, and Jo B. 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 then move to the "continuing" list for 30 days, and the longer term list upon request. Wednesday Evening Prayers this week, will take as its theme the witness of Jesus' friends and disciples, Martha and Mary of Bethany, Today, July 29th is "their day." Fans of Lent Madness may remember that Martha of Bethany "won" the "Golden Halo" in 2019. You can join the service on www.facebook.com/cecguilford Thursday Bible Study ... continues with the saga of Jacob, who has met and married his wives Leah and Rachel.. This week's chapter may lead us to wonder if Leah and Rachel have taken a page from Jacob's trickster playbook. Following this meeting, Thursday Bible Study will begin a Summer break until September. We meet for an hour via Zoom on Thursday mornings at 9:30a.m. Here's the link. Realizing that we all weren't able to participate in this week's Outreach effort, all of us can join in prayer "For the Poor and the Neglected.": Perhaps the prayer will inspire a friendly call or email or text or card to someone who might be alone Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, Father for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For the Poor and the Neglected, BCP, p. 826 In the faith, hope and love of Christ, Harrison+ YFNR
0 Comments
 Jacob Tending his Flock, Ribera, José de, 1591-1652 Sunday School Celebration:
Instead of a Digital Sunday school this week. Sunday School families are invited to meet in the church building's backyard at 4:30 pm. Remember your masks for a gathering of socially-distanced games, pizza, and a short bible lesson. Plan to join us this Sunday! If you haven't sent Tyler Jarvis an RSVP yet, please do so soon so that we know how many people to expect! [email protected]. Middle School Game Night: After a fun Game Night last month, another was scheduled for this upcoming Tuesday, July 28th from 7-8pm. Like our last Game Night, this will be done over Zoom. Tyler Jarvis, our Children & Youth Ministry Director, will send out the link to the Zoom chat on Tuesday morning. He looks forward to seeing our upcoming 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th graders for a fun time on Tuesday evening! RSVP to Tyler at the address above. Lunch for New Haven's Community Soup Kitchen: Thanks to all who signed up so quickly to make sandwiches and brownies for the Community Soup Kitchen that operates in the Parish Hall of Christ Church, New Haven. The Sign-up Genius went out on Wednesday afternoon and was fully subscribed by Thursday afternoon! Participants: please remember to pick up your sandwich and brownie makings from our Parish Hall Kitchen between 10a.m. and 5p.m. on Tuesday, July 28, and to return the sandwiches and brownies in their individual baggies between 9 and 10:30a.m. on Wednesday, July 29. Worship Schedule to Continue: The recommendations of our Worship Options Group for August into September, were adopted by the Vestry at their meeting July 22. With Phase 3 of re-opening currently on hold as COVID-19 rages in much of the country, the decision is to continue our current pattern of Sunday worship. Morning Prayer in the Garden will continue at 9a.m., alternating Rite I & Rite II, and adding a brief children's sermon while (Digital) Sunday School goes on vacation. This will continue to be our only in-person worship offering, with masks, distancing and most worshipers bringing their own lawn chairs. Our celebrations of The Holy Eucharist will continue to be livestreamed at 10a.m., with Spiritual Communion, hymns, and organ; the Vestry authorized continuing to engage professional vocalists through the end of the year. The one major change is that the Wednesday Order for Evening service will take a summer vacation beginning August 12, with September 16 the likely return date. Reading Group Update: As of mid-week, enough of you had responded to the Senior Warden's invitation to discuss Robin Diangelo's book White Fragility, that it looked like there might be a need for two groups. If you would like to participate and haven't already done so, please respond to Susan Leonard at [email protected] noting the days or evenings that would be good for you. Drive-in for Justice Film Night: Mark your calendars now for the Guilford Racial Education Project's "Drive-in for Justice" on Monday, August 10. The film will be "Just Mercy," a moving account of the work of activist attorney Bryan Stevenson in Alabama. Details about the evening will be forthcoming; find out more about the work of GREP on their FaceBootk page here Among the Project's leaders are our own Mariam Kish, Gabby Perez and Natalia Perez. I hope we will support these young parishioners and their colleagues! Attention Gardeners: Whether or not you were part of the mulching brigade in May, the front gardens are calling out for some attention! Well actually, it is Junior Warden Alicia Bacon who is inviting anyone who wants an excuse to be outside in the cool of the morning or evening, to choose a bed to weed along the street front and driveway. Bags are available; feel free to put your "harvest" in the garbage bins. Virtual Coffee Hour: Please join us for Coffee Hour via Zoom this Sunday July 26 at 11:30a.m. by clicking this new link; please disregard past ones. You can also participate by phone at 11:30a.m. Sunday by dialing 646.558.8656. You'll be asked for the Meeting ID: 871 9427 0261 and Password: 899817.. ECW's Drive for Guilford Food Bank: Our ECW ladies have a keen eye for bargains. When they learned that the Guilford Food Bank could turn a $10 gift into $100 retail value of food, they saw that as too good a deal to pass up. So, they've had a "Pandemic Food Bank" project announced in the weekly letter that Diane Link sends to the ECW's mailing list. If you have questions or want to receive this newsletter, you can reach Diane at (203) 458-1806. If you'd like to participate, contributions may be sent directly to ECW treasurer, Rhoda Whitman, 21 Aberdeen Way, Durham, CT 06422. They are also offering the opportunity for donations to be made in memory of someone who has died, regardless of the cause. They have a card to send to the family of the deceased with the donors' name included. ECW Gift CardHolders are still available! ECW's popular gift cardholders, especially for graduation and birthdays, as well as all-occasions, are still available. Please call Diane at the number above to place your order; be sure and tell her about your graduate's school and school colors, or your special occasion. They are still $1.00 each plus $.50 postage per card. Sunday Intercessions: Please continue sending me the people and concerns you would like included in the Prayers of the People. This request is the online version of the form on which you would note petitions, intercessions and thanksgivings, as you entered the church nave for worship. Please reply to this message by 8a.m. Sunday morning. Our Sunday intercessions, remembrances and thanksgivings will be included in the "Let Us Pray" letter, and remembered again during Wednesday Evening Prayers. Wednesday Order for Evening: Our livestream mid-week evening service of prayer and music continues this Wednesday at 7p.m. July 29 being the Feast of SS. Mary & Martha of Bethany, our readings, prayers and hymns will give thanks for their roles as steadfast friends of Jesus and supporters of his earthly ministry. Devotees of Lent Madness will remember that Martha of Bethany "won" the "Golden Halo" for 2019. Thursday Bible Study meets 9:30-10:30a.m. via Zoom. We are continuing our study in Genesis of Jacob's story. This week's question: Has Rachel now become a "triickster" like Jacob? To join our Zoom conversation, click here. Participation by telephone is also possible; I'll the connection number on request. Thanks to all who are mailing in your offerings! Although our in-person worship remains limited, the full life of the parish continues in prayer, worship, education and service -- and in all the ways that support and maintain our common life. So, as you are able, in your current financial situation, please continue your financial support of our common life by sending your offerings to Christ Church, PO Box 574, Guilford, CT 06437. Your offering will be presented at the altar; it will be physically present, even as you remain safely at home. In the faith, hope and love of Christ, Harrison+ YFNR Goal: Help prepare Sack Lunches for
New Haven's Community Soup Kitchen Who: The Whole Parish Family -- Adults, Youth & Children What: Make sandwiches and brownies for guests of New Haven's Community Soup Kitchen, giving their staff a day off. Need to serve approximately 150 folks who are food-insecure, especially near the end of the month. How: Pick-up ingredients from our Parish Hall Kitchen on Tuesday; return sandwiches and brownies on Wednesday. We have brownie mix; and will have kits for PB&J sandwiches (loaves of bread, peanut butter and jellly), and kits for meat and cheese sandwiches (bread, meat, cheese, lettuce, mayo and mustard). Plus sandwich bags. Each kit will make 18 sandwiches. When: Pick-up ingredients -- Tuesday, July 28 between 10a.m. and 5p.m. Return sandwiches and brownies -- Wednesday, July 29, between 9 & 10:30a.m. Extra-Credit: Help deliver sandwiches and brownies to the Community Soup Kitchen, a.k.a. the Parish Hall Kitchen of Christ Church, New Haven,and put into individual bags with water, granola bar and goodies from CSK's pantry, and serve them out the kitchen door. All done with masks, gloves and distancing! Wednesday, July 29 11a.m.-1p.m. Sign-up by clicking Here!  July 21
If I climb up to heaven, your are there;* if I make the grave my bed, you are there also. If I take the wings of the morning* and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there your hand will lead me* and your right hand hold me fast. Psalm 139:7-11, BCP version Dear Hearts, Contrary to the popular spiritual, and the psalm (above) appointed to go with Sunday's reading from Genesis(89:10-19a), we are not climbing Jacob's Ladder. Angels were climbing up and down ladders between heaven and earth in Jacob's dream/vision; they are carrying our messages/prayers to God,and returning God's responses to earth. This was depicted vividly on the facade of Bath Abbey in the early 1500's: to the left of the central window angels were carved climbing a ladder toward God at the top; andto the right very carefully returning to earth. The individuality of the angels perhaps reflects our individuality in prayer before God. The monks who built the Abbey, thought that was a good thing. Our prayers are asked for ---- All who are ill including, Ann B, Margaret S, and Michael M; for Dale; Sarah, Toby & Lucy K and all others contending with Covid-19 disease, and for all facing financial hardship because of the pandemic. May they all know the healing power of Christ's presence and love. For the repose of John Lewis, Hildy Jones, and Jean Landon Smith; and the over 140,000 of our fellow citizens, who have died of the coronavirus; Remember your servants, O Lord, according to the favor you bear unto all your children. Let us join the Rae family's thanksgivings for Annie & Jim's wedding anniversary. Grant that they continue to love, honor and cherish, each other, that they may know your blessing and peace. Please continue to hold in prayer: Richard L, Richard, D, Dave K, Brian A, Emily L, Tim H, John, Joan G., 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, Kelly G, Also: Paul D, Bob vM, Susan S, Linda B, June C, Charlie K, Anne C, Mark S, Angela G, Maria, Bob, Olivia, Lois T, and Jo B. 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 then move to the "continuing" list for 30 days, and the longer term list upon request. Wednesday Evening Prayers this week, will take as its theme the witness of St. Mary Magdalene to our Lord's resurrection; she was the first apostle -- the first person sent to tell the Good News.that Christ had been raised from the dead. July 22nd is her feast day. You can join the service on www.facebook.com/cecguilford Thursday Bible Study ... continues with the saga of Jacob, who has met and married his wives Leah and Rachel.. This week's chapter may lead us to ask if he's clever or deceitful or just blessed. Feel free to participate as your schedule allows. No homework and no prerequisites! We meet for an hour via Zoom on Thursday mornings at 9:30a.m. Here's the link.. The Psalms are a helpful pattern for candid prayer to God. In tomorrow's psalm for the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene, there seems to be a prayerful internal dialogue happening. Surely Mary Magdalene knew these verses by heart, and if you'll forgive a reference from musical theater, they seem to describe her character's inner turmoil. We could do worse than follow her example: I pour out my soul when I think on these things:* how I went with the multitude and led them into the house of God, With the voice of praise and thanksgiving,* among those who keep holy-day. Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul?* and why are you so disquieted within me? Put your trust in God;* for I will yet give thanks to him, who is the help of my countenance, and my God.. Psalm 42:4-7, BCP verson In the faith, hope and love of Christ, Harrison+ YFNR p.s. If you received a message over my name and address asking for an urgent favor, I trust you immediately deleted it. The email address did not include my middle name. My professional and personal email addresses all include my middle name.  An Invitation from the Senior Warden:
Dear Fellow Parishioners, I truly believe that we are living in a transformational time in which our ideas about many things are changing. One of the subjects I would most like to explore is my own personal feeling about racism. When I taught high school English in Albuquerque, one of my black students said, “Mrs. Leonard, I think you are a little bit racist.” Imagine my shock, my refusal to believe that! In my own mind I was very open to all races, to all my students, to all . . .well, you get the idea. There’s no way I wasn’t a bit racist, probably. I never grew up with Black kids or read literature by Black writers. No doubt I left traces of my whiteness in my teaching. How could I not? So here is a chance to find out what that might have been like to my students, and to see what I can do to make myself and my community a little bit less racist. Do you want to explore your own thoughts and experiences with race? From what I’ve heard, it isn’t an easy book to read, but White Fragility by Robin D’Angelo is on many of our bedside tables now. I think it would be easier and more meaningful to go through it, chapter by chapter, together. If you want to participate in a Zoom book group with Mary Anne Osborn as a co-leader, join us. Contact me at [email protected] to join. Also leave a note about what days or evenings might be good for you. Hope to hear from you! Susan Leonard, Senior Warden Bishop's Book Discussion: Speaking of books, Bishop Laura Ahrens leads a monthly Book Discussion looking to nurture our spirits and inform our participation in God's Mission. Formerly hosted by and at Camp Washington, these discussions have moved on line. Lunch at Camp Washington made the drive worthwhile! The July discussion will focus on the NYTimes bestseller, How to be Anti-Racist, by Ibram X. Kendi, 9:30-11a.m. To participate, you need to Register here. Worship in the Garden at 9a.m.: Last Sunday, 18 of us gathered with our masks on and at a distance in the garden behind the church for a said-service of Morning Prayer. It went well; we were again well-behaved, everyone respected the protocols, and we'll offer the service again this Sunday. With our new portable sound system, voices could be heard throughout the garden. As you enter the parish's backyard via the double gates from the Town Hall parking lot; with your mask and lawn chair, find a spot at least six feet from others. There are the four benches for individuals and couples, and household groups may use a picnic table. Bulletins, hand sanitizer, and extra masks, will be available on the table as you enter. There's also a touch-less thermometer Our Worship Options Group met last week and will recommend to the Vestry we continue our current pattern of Sunday worship through August and into September. There'll likely be a couple of tweaks: Rite II alternating with Rite I, and a brief children's sermon while (Digital) Sunday School goes on vacation. If you send your thoughts about our worship services to me, I promise to pass them along to the Vestry. Just replay to this message.. Digital Sunday School: In this week's offering, Tyler Jarvis, our Director for Children's and Youth Ministries, concludes these Digital offerings. Next Sunday's will be an in-person, physically distanced session with masks and games and pizza supper! Watch for details! Sunday School will then go on vacation until September 13. In his video Tyler focuses on this Sunday's Old Testament reading, an amazing story from the life of the patriarch Jacob, and poses some great questions about dreams, parables and what's in the way of us being fully alive as God calls us to be. Virtual Coffee Hour: Please join us for Coffee Hour via Zoom this Sunday July 19 at 11:30a.m. by clicking this new link; please disregard past ones. And apologies to those who missed out on last week's Coffee Hour because of a corrupted link. You can also participate by phone at 11:30a.m. Sunday by dialing 646.558.8656. You'll be asked for the Meeting ID: 871 9427 0261 and Password: 899817.. ECW's Drive for Guilford Food Bank: Our ECW ladies have a keen eye for bargains. When they learned that the Guilford Food Bank could turn a $10 gift into $100 retail value of food, they saw that as too good a deal to pass up. So, they've had a "Pandemic Food Bank" project announced in the weekly letter that Diane Link sends to the ECW's mailing list. If you have questions or want to receive this newsletter, you can reach Diane at (203) 458-1806. If you'd like to participate, contributions may be sent directly to ECW treasurer, Rhoda Whitman, 21 Aberdeen Way, Durham, CT 06422. They are also offering the opportunity for donations to be made in memory of someone who has died, regardless of the cause. They have a card to send to the family of the deceased with the donors' name included. ECW Gift CardHolders are still available! ECW's popular gift cardholders, especially for graduation and birthdays, as well as all-occasions, are still available. Please call Diane at the number above to place your order; be sure and tell her about your graduate's school and school colors, or your special occasion. They are still $1.00 each plus $.50 postage per card. Sunday Intercessions: Please continue sending me the people and concerns you would like included in the Prayers of the People. This request is the online version of the form on which you would note petitions, intercessions and thanksgivings, as you entered the church nave for worship. Please reply to this message by 8a.m. Sunday morning. Our Sunday intercessions, remembrances and thanksgivings will be included in the "Let Us Pray" letter, and remembered again during Wednesday Evening Prayers. Wednesday Evening Prayers: Our livestream mid-week evening service of prayer and music continue this Wednesday at 7p.m. July 15 being the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene, our readings, prayers and hymns will give thanks for her role as the first witness to the Resurrection of Jesus. . Thursday Bible Study meets 9:30-10:30a.m. via Zoom. We are continuing our study in Genesis of Jacob's story. This week's question: Is Jacob clever or back at his "triickster" ways, or both? To join our Zoom conversation, click here. Participation by telephone is also possible; I'll the connection number on request. Thanks to all who are mailing in your offerings! Although our in-person worship remains limited, the full life of the parish continues in prayer, worship, education and service -- and in all the ways that support and maintain our common life. So, as you are able, in your current financial situation, please continue your financial support of our common life by sending your offerings to Christ Church, PO Box 574, Guilford, CT 06437. Your offering will be presented at the altar; it will be physically present, even when you remain safely at home. In the faith, hope and love of Christ, Harrison+ YFNR All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above;
then thank the Lord, O thank the Lord for all his love. Refrain to "We plow the fields and scatter ..." Hymnal 1940, #291 Dear Hearts, Being a person of my age, with a fondness for musical theater, whenever I read last Sunday's parable of the "Wheat and the Weeds (or 'Tares')," my mind goes immediately to Stephen Schwartz's musical Godspell! In the musical, the parable is told with energy and humor. So, I half expected to receive questions about why we didn't sing "We ploy the fields and scatter.." on Sunday. (Answer: We had other hymns that better fit the direction of the service.) Have no fear, we'll sing it again at Thanksgiving, if not before. Be that as ti may, Sunday was just such a day for rejoicing. On such a day, I find it helpful to cultivate "earworms," i.e. catchy tunes that stick with me, and keep me grateful and hopeful. And the Godspell version of hymn 291 is one of these for me.. You canfind it here. Our prayers are asked for ---- All who are ill and in hospital including: Margaret S, and Dave K, for Dale, Richard L and all others contending with Covid-19 disease, for Richard D -- in treatment for depression. and for all facing financial hardship because of the pandemic. May they all know the healing power of Christ's presence and love. For the repose of Ann Crowe, Michael Rambus, and the over 135,000 of our fellow citizens, who have died of the coronavirus; (I learned this week that the virus was the cause of death for Boynton Schmitt) Remember your servants, O Lord, according to the favor you bear unto all your children. Please continue to hold in prayer: Kate, Brian A, Emily L, Tim H, John, Joan G., Lois C., Winnie Z, Hildy J, Bernie and family, Susie & Paul, Pam McG, Julie H, Annie & Jim, Murray E., Brooke & family, Kate S., Tracy M., Carl, Michael S, Joanne N-R, Madeline H, Kelly G, Also: Paul D, Bob vM, Susan S, Linda B, June C, Charlie K, Anne C, Mark S, Angela G, Maria, Bob, Olivia, Lois T, and Jo B. Please also remember: St. Luke’s School & Church in Martel (Haiti). To add names and concerns for next 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 then move to the "continuing" list for 30 days, and the longer term list upon request. Wednesday Evening Prayers ... Given the headlines, which sound a lot like those of April just moved to the south and west, our prayers, readings and hymns on July 15th, will focus on healing and the well-being of health-care workers. You can join the service on www.facebook.com/cecguilford Discuss "Ernie & Joe: Crisis Cops" with Jen McShane The Guilford Free Library will host a live online discussion with filmmaker Jen McShane about her latest documentary, Wednesday, July 15th 7p.m.. Here's the chance to ask the questions you would've brought up in conversation with Jen at church! In light of policing reform proposals to come before the Connecticut legislature, this discussion is particularly timely. Find more information, a link to the film, and register here. Thursday Bible Study ... continues with the saga of Jacob, who has fled to the home of his "uncle" Laban. It's sort of a Biblical Peyton Place this week! Feel free to participate as your schedule allows. No homework and no prerequisites! We meet for an hour via Zoom on Thursday mornings at 9:30a.m. Here's the link.. Since healing, and the well-being of medical personnel, will be the focus for Wednesday's prayers, here's a compelling prayer from, Enriching Our Worship 2; This is a slim volume of teaching and liturgy for the Episcopal Church to support the ministry of healing. God our strong deliverer: when those charged with the urgent mediation of your healing power feel overwhelmed by the numbers of the suffering, uphold them in their fatigue and banish their despair. Let them see with your eyes, so they may know all their patients are precious in your sight.. Give them comfort, and renew their energy and compassion, for the sake of Jesus in whom is our life and our hope. Amen . In the faith, hope and love of Christ, Harrison+ YFNR p.s. If you have recently sent an email message to Parish Administrator Donna Tafel and not received a reply, please know she is not avoiding you! Mark Sullivan fixed the glitch in her email account that neither Frontier nor AT&T were willing to correct.. If you haven't received a reply, please resend your messages to her using [email protected]. We apologize and thank you for your patience! Thanks also to Mark for his perseverance!.  Worship in the Garden at 9a.m.:
Last Sunday, fifteen of us gathered with our masks on and at a distance in the garden behind the church for a said-service of Morning Prayer. It went well; we were well-behaved, everyone respected the protocols, and we'll offer the service again this Sunday. As you enter the parish's backyard via the double gates from the Town Hall parking lot; with your mask and lawn chair, find a spot at least six feet from others. There are the four benches for individuals and couples, and household groups may use a picnic table. Bulletins, hand sanitizer, and extra masks, will be available on the table as you enter. There's also a touch-less thermometer For July, this is our only in-person worship offering. Our Worship Options Group is monitoring state and diocesan recommendations and requirements, as well as our own experience, and will make recommendations to the Vestry regarding worship in August. The Worship Options Group and the Vestry would welcome your thoughts. If you send them to me by responding to this email, I promise to pass them along. Our Comcast Business connection has been installed; no more cables draped across the driveway! You may have noticed sharper audio and more visual detail. Our equipment orders have not yet arrived. Sunday School Video: There was a glitch with the video link Tyler Jarvis sent for this week's Digital Sunday School on Friday. He sent a fresh one today, Saturday; here it is. I hope you all will watch it! As our Director for Children's and Youth Ministries, Tyler provides a fine introduction to the kind of stories that Jesus frequently tells, called "parables," and explains how we might approach this Sunday's parables in at least three different ways. As a scholar of Biblical languages, Tyler gives us a Hebrew lesson in his introduction to Psalm 119. As usual, he poses some great questions for us to ponder, and the coloring pages could be a great meditation for adults, as well as fun for kids. 'Black Lives Matter' Banner: If you read the Highlights of our Vestry's June meeting, you know that the Vestry discussed and authorized putting up this banner. I collected it from the printer yesterday, waited out the storm, and will put it up after the sun gets a little lower. On the top line it reads, 'Black Lives Matter'; the quotation marks are because this is a quotation from a witness given by our Presiding Bishop. The next lines give Bishop Michael's name and title, and then invite passersby to 'Search "Bishop Curry Speaks at Prayerful Procession"' on their smart phones. The hope is that folks will hear Bishop Michael on how Jesus calls us to a Beloved Community in which the lives of all God's children matter. Sadly, events too often demonstrate the opposite -- especially for our brothers and sisters of color. You don't have to do the search;here's the link. Virtual Coffee Hour: Please join us for Coffee Hour via Zoom this Sunday July 12 at 11:30a.m. by clicking the link here. This is a new link; please disregard past ones. And apologies to those who missed out on last week's Coffee Hour because of Zoom issues. You can also participate by phone at 11:30a.m. Sunday by dialing 646.558.8656. You'll be asked for the Meeting ID: 871 9427 0261 and Password: 899817.. Tag Sale Donations Suspended: Our Tag Sale leadership has announced the suspension of receiving donations for the time being. Current circumstances make scheduling volunteers uncertain at this time. So, please put your donations aside at home for now. Copies of Robin D'Angelo's White Fragility are still available on the shelf in the Rectory's entry hall 10a.m.-5p.m., courtesy of our Evening ECW. ECW's Drive for Guilford Food Bank: Our ECW ladies have a keen eye for bargains. When they learned that the Guilford Food Bank could turn a $10 gift into $100 retail value of food, they saw that as too good a deal to pass up. So, they've had a "Pandemic Food Bank" project announced in the weekly letter that Diane Link sends to the ECW's mailing list. If you have questions or want to receive this newsletter, you can reach Diane at (203) 458-1806. If you'd like to participate, contributions may be sent directly to ECW treasurer, Rhoda Whitman, 21 Aberdeen Way, Durham, CT 06422. They are also offering the opportunity for donations to be made in memory of someone who has died, regardless of the cause. They have a card to send to the family of the deceased with the donors' name included. ECW Gift CardHolders are still available! ECW's popular gift cardholders, especially for graduation and birthdays, as well as all-occasions, are still available. Please call Diane at the number above to place your order; be sure and tell her about your graduate's school and school colors, or your special occasion. They are still $1.00 each plus $.50 postage per card. Sunday Intercessions: Please continue sending me the people and concerns you would like included in the Prayers of the People. This request is the online version of the form on which you would note petitions, intercessions and thanksgivings, as you entered the church nave for worship. Please reply to this message by 8a.m. Sunday morning. Our Sunday intercessions, remembrances and thanksgivings will be included in the "Let Us Pray" letter, and remembered again during Wednesday Evening Prayers. Wednesday Evening Prayers: Our livestream mid-week evening service of prayer and music continue on Wednesday evenings at 7p.m. This Wednesday, July 15 doesn't have a Feast Day or special Commemoration connected to it. If there's an issue or concern around which you would like to have one of these services framed, please respond to this message and let me know. The environment, healing, mourning, and thanksgiving all occur to me. I'll need to make a decision by Monday afternoon to enable preparation of the online bulletin by Wednesday morning. Thursday Bible Study meets 9:30-10:30a.m. via Zoom. We are continuing our study in Genesis of Jacob's story. We're learning how God can work through the lives of the most unlikely people!. To join our Zoom conversation, click here. Participation by telephone is also possible; I'll send the connection number on request. Thanks to all who are mailing in your offerings! Although our in-person worship remains limited, the full life of the parish continues in prayer, worship, education and service -- and in all the ways that support and maintain our common life. So, as you are able, in your current financial situation, please continue your financial support of our common life by sending your offerings to Christ Church, PO Box 574, Guilford, CT 06437. Your offering will be presented at the altar; it will be physically present, even when you remain safely at home. In the faith, hope and love of Christ, Harrison+ YFNR |
AuthorWe feature various authors from around our parish, commenting on topics of interest to our community. Enjoy! Comment if you are so moved! Archives
August 2022
Categories |
RSS Feed