 September 28, 2019
Dear Hearts, As I write this, the Tag Sale is in full swing on the driveway and in the Parish House. Although a lot has been sold, a lot of wonderful merchandise remains. There's a happy atmosphere and a lot of visiting going on! The Sale continues through 3p.m. There will likely be really great deals to be had just before closing. If you missed Friday evening's Tag Sale Preview and Reception, you missed a good time! (As well as missing out on first crack at getting something special.) Thanks go to all the volunteers who worked on Thursday and Friday to set-up the "sales rooms" and driveway in such a handsome fashion. Many thanks to Sale Chair Elena Phillips for her perseverance and vision. Thanks also to Lisa Ste. Marie for leading publicity efforts, to Gabriela Cabrejo for her help getting the Sale off-the-ground. and to everyone who has helped out as "sellers" and "cashiers" since the Sale began. . Guilford Public Schools will be closed on Monday in observance of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. So, following our pattern, Sunday School will not meet this Sunday morning. However, there will be a Sunday evening, Youth Movie Night beginning at 5p.m. in the Parish Hall. Youth grades 7 and up are invited for pizza, movie and discussion. We will be watching "The Hate U Give," a powerful movie about deciding about, and standing up for, what matters. Next Saturday morning, being the day after St. Francis' Day, we will honor the witness of St. Franics, especially his care and concern for Creation and all created beings, with our annual Blessing of the Animals. We'll gather on the Green at 11a.m., with our neighbors from First Congregational Church and St. George Catholic to share in brief prayers and readings from Scriptures and St. Francis, before offering individual blessings to the pets gathered with us. Many thanks to all who walked in the Christ Church group in last Saturday's Fair Parade to celebrate our 275th anniversary! We were a fine looking group thanks to Pat Daunic's banner, Richard Formica's red balloons, and the Christ Church- logo t-shirts that Sudie Danaher got printed for us. We gave away every bit of candy and every one of our 275th Celebration cards -- all 500+ of them. The cards invite the larger community to coming events in celebration of our 275th; more cards are available on the Ushers' Table. The first one of these events will be a "Pilgrims Report from the Holy Land," on Thursday, October 10. Kay Claiborn and I will share a photo-illustrated report on our participation in the Episcopal Church in Connecticut's Holy Land Pilgrimage in June 2019, Thanks to our Outreach folks for last Sunday's Bahamian Relief Coffee Hour/Green Tea! There was a single crustless cucumber sandwich remaining on the table by the time I reached it. It was delicious, and I responded by writing a check. There's still time to add your contribution to the hurricane relief efforts of the Anglican Alliance and Episcopal Relief & Development. Thanks to all those who have already responded! During last Sunday's Rectory Forum the group decided they would like to start a the longer version of the Holy Land Pilgrimage photo-show-and-tell. We'll start that this Sunday morning. We'll begin over coffee and tea in the Rectory after the 8a.m. service. In faith, hope, and love, Harrison+ YFNR p.s. I will be in Sewanee, Tennessee this Tuesday-Friday, October 1-4.for the annual alumni lecture series of the University of the South's School of Theology. This year's lecturer, the Rev. Emilie Townes, Dean of the Divinity School of Vanderbilt University (and formerly of Yale Divinity School) will continue the lectures' series on racial reconciliation and "...the Power of Hope." Mark Sullivan and Sheward Hagerty will monitor parish office e-mail and voice messages; please be in touch with them for access to the church.
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 September 20, 2019
Dear Hearts, The question asked most frequently since Tuesday is: When will the service for Jeanette Koncz be? Answer: Wednesday, September 25, at 11a.m. Per Jeanette's directions, we will give thanks for her life and witness in Christ Church. Thanks to every one who has, and will, lend a hand to welcome all who will come together for this service -- especially those tidying up the Parish Hall. Another frequent question is: Where do we gather for the Parade? We'll gather Saturday morning on Whitfield Street, probably between High and Norton. We're #42 in the parade line-up, and that will be marked in chalk on the pavement. Look for familiar happy faces beginning at 9a.m. We'll have cards and candy to give away; and some balloons and a banner to carry. Feel free to join us before the parade starts at 10a.m., or jump in along the route. When the parade ends at Boston & Union, we're to turn left onto Union Street. And the third most frequently asked question has been: Are we still receiving donations for the Tag Sale? And the answer is, Yes! Clever folk have stuffed donations in almost every conceivable place in, and under, the building. Still, additional gently-used housewares, along with sports equipment, toys and games. Christmas decorations and furniture continue to arrive. It's going to be quite a sale! So, you can imagine another set of questions which quickly follow: Who can help with ...(sorting, set-up Thursday and Friday, Friday's Preview, and Saturday's sale)? Thanks to everyone who has already given so generously of their time; please consider joining their number by donating your time to this all-parish effort. Good humor and gracious hospitality are trademark qualities of the Tag Sale. You can sign-up on the Ushers' Table and on Sign-up Genius by clicking here. Otherwise, [email protected]is communications central! While we were having a good time talking about the programs, forms of service, and activities of Christ Church at the Ministry Fair last Sunday. The Outreach folks were doing a little business and decided to have their Bahamian Relief Coffee Hour this Sunday, September 22. One of the traditions of the parish where I was ordained, was their "Green Tea." At these events, the ladies of the church got out the parish silver, polished it all beautifully, and served a proper "tea" at a Sunday Coffee Hour. What made the tea "Green" was the cash (and cheques) that went into a large silver bowl. I can't promise cucumber sandwiches or polished sterling silver, but there will be a place to contribute to support the hurricane relief efforts of the Anglican Alliance and Episcopal Relief & Development. Speaking of the Ministry Fair:
In faith, hope, and love, Harrison+ YFNR p.s. About our two open positions: The Faith Formation team is re-posting the Children & Youth Ministries position, and is in touch with applicants. The Senior Warden, and her predecessors, will be helping review resumes from applicants for the Parish Administrator position. This position will also be re-posted. Another question, being asked is applications still being received? The answer is again, yes!  September 14, 2019
Dear Hearts, This Sunday, Coffee Hour will return to the Parish Hall with a special twist -- a Ministry Fair. As in recent years, the refreshments for this Coffee Hour will be hosted by the range of parish ministries -- the forms of service, fellowship, study and witness -- that are integral to our life as Christ Church. So,please plan to come and visit with folks engaged in a variety of ministries, thank them for what they do to enliven our parish life, and feel free to ask them that question that's been on your mind. Who knows, maybe you'll discover a ministry that would pique your interest. The Guilford Fair Parade is only a week away, and as many of us as wish, will be in it! As part of our celebration of Christ Church's 275 years of worship and witness in Guilford, all of us are invited to walk together in the Guilford Fair Parade, on Saturday, September 21. We'll be led by a celebratory banner created for the occasion by our own Pat Daunic. We've also got t-shirts! Sudie Danaher had our logo adapted for the occasion and printed on handsome, 100% cotton t-shirts! I'm sure you'll want one! They will be available Sunday morning for$12 each or $20 for two. Formation for the parade begins at 9am. on Saturday, the 21st on Whitfield Street, probably somewhere towards High Street. We're #42 in the order of procession. We'll need folks to carry the banner, wave balloons, hand out candy, and just smile and wave. If some folks arrive at 9a.m., others could arrive at 9:30a.m. or even 9:45am. The parade officially kicks off at 10a.m. goes north on Whitfield around the Green on Broad and Park, before turning onto Water; it disbands at Union Street. The Parade theme is "Guilford Traditions;" we're certainly one of those traditions! Hope you can join the celebration! After a noisy morning, perhaps you'd be interested in a quiet reflective walk of a different sort on Saturday afternoon. Sacred Paths at Hammonasset: Rejoicing in Creation by the Sound, will be a "pilgrimage" walk from the beach and sound, to the rocky moraines and salt marsh near the Meigs Point Nature Center. The walk will begin there at 2p.m. on Saturday, September 21. At each of the four stops, we will praise the beauty around us, learn more about the wonders we see (from a park ranger), give thanks for those who protect and nourish these gifts, lament the harm we have done,and pray for the restoration and healing of the Earth through God's Spirit and human hands. The walking will be light, and parking nearby readily available. We'll conclude by 4:30p.m. The Rev. Norman MacLeod, former rector of Christ Church, helped plan this event while serving the parish in Stonington; other host parishes are the Shoreline East parishes in Clinton, Madison, Guilford and North Branford. There is no charge for the event or to park in the large Nature Center lot. However, registration is requested; you can learn more and register by clicking here.. Preparations for the all-parish Tag Sale continue and your participation is most welcome! Donations are being received on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings; sorting also continues then and at other times. Flyers for you to share and post will be available on Sunday morning. Among the new features this year are a Raffle of some special items and a Friday evening Preview-Reception; tickets will be available Sunday morning. You can sign-up to help on the Ushers' Table and on Sign-up Genius by clicking here. Otherwise, [email protected] is communications central! With the installation of the new ceiling lighting lenses, the Parish Hall kitchen project is complete! The new normal for the kitchen is amazingly bright and tidy. You'll want to route yourself through the kitchen on your way to the Ministry Fair. This project has depended upon the patience and persistence of Vestry Member Sue Shackford. Thanks, Sue! As this is written, Tropical Storm Humberto is bringing storms and high seas to the Grand Bahamas and Abaco which were so devastated by Hurricane Dorian. Episcopal Relief & Development is supporting relief efforts in the Bahamas through the Anglican Alliance, and the Dioceses in Georgia, South and North Carolina. You can read more about these efforts here. Our Outreach Committee asked for informational inserts in Sunday's bulletin and plans to host a "Green Tea" for hurricane relief efforts in October (in this case, "Green" is not the color of the tea, but of the bills contributed.) What a great time we had together on Welcome Back/Renewal Sunday! The weather was perfect! The newly baptized, Gavin, Callan, and Lillian, were as cute as they could be, and it was a great privilege for me to lead their baptisms. Thanks so much to their families! Thanks also to our InReach Team led by Susan Leonard, Diana Stovall, other helpers and folks who brought sides and desserts to share. The picnic tables were both beautifully set and bountiful to be sure! Now it's on to the Ministry Fair and getting ready for the Parade. In faith, hope, and love, Harrison+ YFNR  September 7, 2019
Dear Hearts, A new School year has begun, Labor Day has passed, and so it is time for Christ Church to renew our parish life. We'll do that in a big way this Sunday, as we baptize three young saints into the Household of God, welcome the Choir back to the balcony, begin a new Sunday School year, and catch up with each other over a Welcome Back picnic! It seems particularly appropriate for us to begin this new season by renewing our baptismal promises; among the things we say together in the rite of Holy Baptism is that we will support the newly baptized, and by extension our fellow saints, "in their life in Christ."
Preparations for the all-parish Tag Sale continue and your help will be most welcome! Donations are being received on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings; sorting also continues then and at other times. Flyers for you to share and post will be available on Sunday morning. Among the new features this year are a Raffle of some special items and a Friday evening Preview-Reception; tickets will be available Sunday morning. You can sign-up to help on the Ushers' Table and on Sign-up Genius by clicking here. Otherwise, [email protected] is communications central! The long wait for the installation of the new super-durable kitchen floor.is over, and the the upper cabinets have been re-stocked. I think it looks terrific and the new floor seems gentle to the feet! On Sunday morning, you'll want to route yourself through the kitchen on your way to the picnic. The one remaining item is the installation of a new set of ceiling lighting tiles. This project has depended upon the patience and persistence of Vestry Member Sue Shackford. Thanks, Sue! After the new floor was in place, Kay Claiborn and Diana Stovall organized a crew to wash everything belonging in the cabinets, install handsome shelf paper, and return things to their newly-painted homes. Thanks to them, and to the donors who made these improvements possible -- several individuals, the morning 12-Step group "Joy of Living," and our own ECW, Thanks to one and all! Thanks to Wardens Rose Robinson and Alicia Bacon, Bookkeeper Melissa Lamoreaux, our counters and folders, Communications czar Donna LaFata, Music Director Mark Sullivan, Sexton Sheward Hagerty and the Rev. Mary Anne Osborn for leading the behind the scenes work and providing the upfront leadership of the parish's worship and witness while I was in Oregon. I got to spend quality time with extended family members -- some of whom I hadn't seen in years, Now it's on to renewing our baptismal covenants for the adventures ahead. In faith, hope, and love, Harrison+ YFNR |
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