Bp Seabury; Thanks Giving; ECW Project; ChristKindl Market

For 24th Sunday after Pentecost, November 15, 2020

Today is November 14.  On this day in 1784, the Rev. Samuel Seabury was ordained a Bishop in the Church of God for the Episcopal Church in Connecticut by the Bishops of Aberdeen, Ross and Caithness in Scotland.  He had been elected and authorized to seek consecration by ten priests then serving in Connecticut on March 25, 1783.  Thus began a new era in the life of the Church:  A bishop had been elected by his peers (as in the Early Church) to serve a Church independent of the English Crown while remaining in communion with the Church in Great Britain.  From Connecticut, Bishop Seabury would be instrumental in the organization of an Episcopal Church for the United States and its spread throughout New England.

​Outreach for Thanksgiving:  The Guilford Food Bank's Thanksgiving Meal program is adapting to the pandemic, and so will our support.  Instead of sharing foodstuffs, the Food Bank requests that we provide grocery gift cards valued at no more than $25.  Your generous response will help our neighbors-in-need to set tables with fresh and healthy food.  Gift cards may be dropped off in the Rectory Entry Hall or mailed to 11 Park Street.  Receipts can be provided.  We need to deliver the cards to the Food Bank, on or before November 19.
Thanks to all who provided Personal Care Bags, or personal care items, for Chapel on the Green!  It's not too late to drop those off.

ECW "New Scholarship Project"
Christ Church parishioners have long supported our ECW's annual home-baked cookie sale during the Tree-Lighting "Chili Supper." Sadly, these events cannot be safely offered this year. Nonetheless, ECW still wants to support our 2021 high school graduates by offering a scholarship to all qualified applicants.  The ECW will again need parishioner support to do this; so they are asking us to send a " Free Will" donation to allow them to continue this program.  They are calling it the "Cookieless Cookie Box" project, because every donor will be thanked with an empty Cookie Box decorated with ribbon, detachable bow and gift card.   Donations will be received through November 29, 2020.  The  "Cookieless Boxes" will be available in the Guild Room for pickup on Saturday, December 5, 2020.  Each box will be labeled with a donor's name.  Those who live out of the area will be sent a Christmas-design gift card holder. 
Donations can be sent to:  Rhoda Whitman, 21 Aberdeen Way, Durham,  CT 06422  Please make checks payable to:  Christ Episcopal Church ECW, and note "Cookieless Box Project" on the memo line.  Thank you in advance for your support.

Sunday Worship
Judging by the forecast, you will want to dress warmly this Sunday for Morning Prayer in the Garden at 9a.m.  Enter via the gate off the Town Hall parking lot, and please remember to bring a mask and a lawn chair, and to maintain appropriate physical distances.
Our livestreamed celebration of the Holy Eucharist with hymns, vocal solos, and spiritual communion follows at 10a.m.  As usual the service bulletin will be available here.
Public health officials had forecast a fall surge in coranavirus infections.  It happened in 1918, and is happening now as well.   The numbers are truly concerning:  Here's the State's Daily Tracker graphic, and the State's guidance for each level.  They will surely inform your Vestry's conversation on Thursday.

In-Person Sunday School is scheduled this Sunday for 11:30a.m. in the parish garden entered from the Town Hall parking lot.  All Sunday School & Youth families are welcome for a snack, a game at a distance and conversation.  Please let Tyler know that you plan to participate here.   Tyler plans to meet as long as the temperature remains above 45 and the rain holds off.  If not he'll  send out an alert.

Virtual Coffee Hour... is a great opportunity to see one another.  The link to YNFR's Personal Zoom Room seems to work well.  So, join the conversation via Zoom this Sunday, November 15 at 11:30a.m. by clicking this link.  If asked, the Meeting ID: 540 197 1077, and Passcode: 1744AD

Intercessory Prayer:
Please send the people and concerns you would like included in the Prayers of the People. by replying to these announcements or the "Let us pray" message.  Please consider this the digital version of the clip board on which names and concerns were written when we gathered for worship in the nave. 

Book Discussion Group:  A Zoom discussion of Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent, by Isabel Wilkerson.  Hardback copies are available in the Rectory Entry Hall for $25 each.  The author argues that our notions regarding race are fluid, but we internalize the fixed and rigid categories of caste unconsciously.  Discussion is led by the Rev. Mary Anne Osborn; contact her at revmao28@gmail.com

Order for the Evening on St. Hilda's Day:
On Wednesday, we'll commemorate the life and witness of St. Hilda, Abbess of Whitby.  Her abbey contained houses for both nuns and monks living together "in justice, devotion, chastity, peace and charity."  A woman in authority, she was consulted by kings and prelates.

Thursday Bible Study moves on to Genesis Chapter 44 and 45 with the mounting tension in the reunion of Joseph and his brothers.  Here's the link.  In case your are asked:  Meeting ID: 859 9654 1732  Passcode: 23389

Estimate of Giving Cards:
Thanks so much to the 66 households who have already responded with their Estimate of Giving for our operating budget in 2021!  If you need a card, please respond to this message, and one will be in the mail posthaste!

Thanks to all who are mailing in your offerings!  
Although our in-person connections remain limited, the routine of the parish continues amidst all the ways that support and maintain our common life.  Thanks so much, for your faithfulness in fulfilling your giving estimate for 2020.  Please continue your financial support of our common life by bringing your offering to the 9a.m. service in the Garden, or 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, as you remain safely at home.
In the faith, hope and love of Christ,
Harrison+
YFNR