Fr. Harrison's Letter for December 10, 2017

Dear Hearts,
 
As we nervously check the weather forecasts and look up in wonder at the sky, it's time for the annual reminder about our inclement weather policy:

We follow the lead of the Guilford Public Schools:  When the School buildings are closed or have a delayed opening, our daytime activities do not meet.  However, as long as I am living in the Rectory, we will have Sunday worship at the appointed times.  The Schools post their closing/delay announcements in a "crawl" at the top of www.GuilfordSchools.org.

So, the weather cooperating, our Evening ECW plan to offer Holiday Babysitting, on Saturday, December 9 from 1-4p.m., in our Parish Hall.  You can register online here; you may direct your questions to ChristChurchGuilfordCT@gmail.com.  This service is available to parents, grandparents, friends and neighbors looking for a child-friendly place for children while they do some holiday errands, or take a nap!

Thanks to all who organized, cooked, set-up, cleaned-up, served, decorated, donated, baked, sold, dined, and/or purchased, before, during, or after last Friday's Chili Supper, Cookie and Wreath Sales, and sFOURzando concert!  Special thanks go to Supper chief honcho Jennifer Huebner and chefs Peter Johnson and David Jones; to Youth Wreath Sale organizer Susan Shackford and helpers Diane Link, Cindy Smith and Page Pelphrey, and to Vicky Reeve who played in, and arranged for the sFOURzando concert.

Our Tree-Lighting related events, are first and foremost about hospitality, however, proceeds from the Chili Supper of about $735 will help Guilford Interfaith Volunteers’ Meals-on-Wheels program make sure our neighbors have a hot daily meal. The ECW's Bake Sale proceeds support their annual scholarship, and Wreath Sale proceeds support youth activities and programs.

Speaking of the Youth-decorated Wreaths:  Three remain available to delight you and your holiday guests.  They're currently on view in the Rectory garage.
 
We have begun fielding questions about our worship schedule for the Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve.  Actually, there's no change from our usual practice: On Advent 4, we'll worship at 8 and 10 a.m.; and on Christmas Eve, we'll celebrate the Pageant Service at 4:30 p.m. and the Festal Service at 10 p.m.  The confusing thing is that the 4th Sunday of Advent includes the morning of December 24, and Christmas Eve begins at dusk on December 24. 

Here's why:  The Church continues to mark time as in the Bible, and as our Jewish neighbors continue to do:  The Jewish Sabbath begins at dusk on Friday and ends at dusk on Saturday.  So, by the Church's reckoning, Sunday actually begins at dusk on Saturday, -- which is why many of our Roman Catholic neighbors fulfil their "Sunday obligation" by worshiping on Saturday evening, and why Christmas Eve begins our Christmas celebrations on the Eve of Christmas Day.  We will also celebrate Christmas Day, in full daylight, at 10 a.m.

Please remember our Advent Outreach efforts: 
We're decorating the Mitten Tree with mittens, caps, gloves, scarves, and colorful bags of toiletries and candy, for our neighbors served by New Haven's Chapel-on-the-Green -- helping warm our neighbors who live on the margins of plenty in New Haven. 

And, we taking "Angels-under-the-Balcony" to remind us of Christ Church's historic ministry to help keep our neighbors warm by helping with their heating expenses through the Town's Heating Assistance Program. 

In faith and hope,
Harrison+
YFNR
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p.s. If you recently walked by the Christ Church sign nearest the Town Hall, and noticed how good it looks, be sure to thank our ECW.  They took the lead, worked with the sign painter, and paid for her labor.  It looks great!  Thank you, ladies of the Church!