For 7th Sunday after Pentecost, July 19, 2020: Senior Warden's Invitation; Bishop Ahren's Book Discussion; Worship in the Garden; Digital Sunday School; Virtual Coffee Hour; ECW's "Pandemic Food Bank" Project; ECW Gift Card Holders; Sunday Intercessions

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