Blessing of the Animals to Honor St. Francis, Getting Ready for CROP Hunger Walk, Chapel on the Green Celebrates 10 Years

5 October 2018
Dear Hearts,
Looks like we will have perfect weather for the annual Blessing of the Animals in Honor of St. Francis, Saturday, October 5!  Please bring the creatures who bless your lives to the Green on leash, in crate, or in photo-form.  We will again gather with our neighbors from First Congregational Church and St. George Church and all their friendly creatures at 11a.m.   I think St. Francis would be pleased that we gather as fellow creatures to give thanks to our Creator for the wonders of Creation.

Children's Chapel,  Sunday School and the Youth Gathering,  -- which is to say our programs for youngsters Pre-K through 9th grade -- will not meet this Sunday, October 7, due to Monday's Columbus Day public school holiday.  Nonetheless, childcare will be available in the Nursery, 9:45-11a.m., and the Rectory Forum will continue its discussion of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's book, Songs My Grandma Sang during the 9 o'clock hour in the rectory.

Folks who are interested in our parish life, will want to participate in the InReach Meeting, happening during/after Coffee Hour this Sunday, October 7.  
 
It's not too early to get ready for the Clyde Work Memorial CROP Walk scheduled for next Sunday, October 14!  

1. Sign-up to do the walk on Guilford sidewalks by going to the Clyde Work Memorial Walk page and click on "Register" on the right side of the page;
2.  You can support our marchers by making an on-line donation; go to our Christ Church page, and click on "Donate."
3. Or, you can sign-up and/or make a donation, Sunday, on the 14th. Lower tech, but just as effective! 

Clyde Work was so dedicated to the CROP Walk that, following his death, dedicating this year's walk to his memory seems entirely fitting.  This year's walk will begin and end at Jacob's Beach; please plan to meet there at 1:30p.m. You can participate by walking, by contributing, or both!  However you choose to participate, you'll be helping to end hunger "one step at a time."  Funds go to relieve the food insecurity of local neighbors, and to support projects to enable basic agriculture throughout the world:  
 
The Chapel on the (New Haven) Green will celebrate its 10th anniversary this Sunday, October 7 at 2p.m.  There will be special music, including the Steel Drum band from St. Luke's Church, New Haven, and ice cream from Ashley's. Chapel on the Green was inspired by the Trinity Church youth group after they experienced the "common cathedral" on the Boston Common across Tremont Street from the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul. They looked around the New Haven Green, saw striking similarities, and wondered if the same sort of ministry could be offered there.  And beginning 10 years ago, worship and a meal have been offered every Sunday rain or shine; like Boston's common cathedral, Chapel on the Green has grown to offer additional services, including a weekly "spiritual fellowship" of mutual support that meets at noon on Tuesdays in Trinity's parish hall.

Congratulations to all who labored in the TAG SALE vineyard here on Thursday, Friday and/or Saturday of last week.  However early or late you arrived, your efforts were well-rewarded.  There was a steady stream of would-be patrons even past the appointed closing hour.  A whole lot of fine housewares, clothing and furniture found new homes.  Folks were treated kindly, even in the face of some preposterous requests.  From the items which didn't sell, you selected an array of items to handsomely outfit a kitchen for a new refugee family being resettled by IRIS  (Integrated Refugee & Immigration Services).

I look forward to seeing you, and the pets with whom you share your home, on the Green for the Blessing of the Animals..
In faith, hope and love,
Harrison+
YFNR

p.s. I hope to begin interview this week for our new  very part-time (4 hours/week) Communications Director position on Tuesday, October 9..  If you are curious, or interested, please contact me, and I'll send you the job description, and how to apply.