Fr. Harrison's Letter for December 3, 2017

Dear Hearts,
 
The Town of Guilford gathers today on, and around, the Green to celebrate light in the midst of darkness. While the centerpiece may be the Tree-Lighting on the Green, together with our neighbors of other faith traditions, and none, Christ Church will add to the evening's brightness with our hospitality and events: 

Chili-Supper -- Please remember to invite friends and neighbors to warm themselves -- along with you and yours -- against the evening chill with delicious chili prepared to preferred degrees of hotness – con carne and vegetarian.  There are also hotdogs for those who prefer.  And it's such a deal:  $8 asked for adult appetites and $4 for children, with a special deal for families. Please remember your promised cornbread and help with the evening's tasks.  
 
Cookie Sale –  Chili Supper patrons may purchase dessert from the bounty of cookies and other holiday treats at the ECW’s sale table; and you'll also be able to purchase favorites to take home for holiday entertaining.  Please remember to drop off your homemade favorites when you can today..

Wreath Sale –  as of this writing, about ten beautiful wreaths have not been spoken for.  Pre-sold and still-available wreaths have turned the rectory garage into a beautiful "hanger" for wreaths. Check it out!  I understand our Youth will have hot chocolate and cider to keep you warm while you admire their handiwork!

The sFOURzando Piano Team...  returns to delight us with "Joyeaux Noel," French Christmas music arranged for  four-to-eight hands at one piano!  We’ll gather with Vicky Reeve and friends for fun at the piano at 7:30p.m.!  Yes, that's right, 7:30 p.m.

Proceeds from the Chili Supper and Concert will support Guilford Interfaith Volunteers’ Meals-on-Wheels program, making sure our neighbors have a hot daily meal. Reminds me of a line from last Sunday's Gospel, "...I was hungry and you fed me ..." 
 
As it happens, the Church has a whole season dedicated to proclaiming light in the midst of increasing darkness:  It's called Advent.  As the hours of daylight diminish, and as the world may seem increasingly bleak, Advent proclaims the Christian hope that God's love has, and will yet again, overcome this world's darkness.  So, on Sunday, you'll see the Advent hangings of indigo blue -- the color of the night sky just before dawn, and the return of Angels-Under-the-Balcony and the MItten Tree.

We decorate the Mitten Tree with mittens, caps, gloves, and warm coats, plus toiletries and candy, for our neighbors served by New Haven's Chapel-on-the-Green -- to help keep warm folks who live on the margins of plenty in New Haven.  Reminds me of another line from last Sunday's Gospel, "...I was naked [against the cold} and you gave me clothing."

"Angels" will again hang under-the-Balcony this year, as visible reminders 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.  And yes, this program, started by Christ Church folks, reminds me of a line that could've been in last Sunday's Gospel, "...I was cold and you kept me warm."

In the meantime, I look forward to sharing in the Tree-LIghting events later today!
In faith and hope,
Harrison+
YFNR

p.s. As a help to parents, and grandparents, the Evening E.C.W. will offer Holiday Babysitting, on Saturday, December 9 from 1-4 p.m., in our Parish Hall.  You can register online here; you may direct your questions to ChristChurchGuilfordCT@gmail.com.  This is brought to us by the fine EECW folks whose labors have also provided the Parish Hall's handsome new storage closets for tables and chairs; be sure and check them out when you're here for the Chili Supper!  I think you'll agree -- these closets look like they could have always been here!