Fr. Harrison's Letter for June 18, 2017

Dear Hearts, 

As I write this, I'm just bursting with pride and gratitude for how wonderfully Christ Church folks hosted this morning's Seven-Parish Service of Holy Baptism & Confirmation.. 

• That pride and gratitude starts with the fine folk I was honored to present to Bishop Douglas for Baptism or Confirmation. They included three young adults whom we recently welcomed to our parish life -- Karina (who was baptized), Michael, and Marie (who were confirmed); and then our more youthful confirmands -- whom we have supported over their childhood in the hope we would see this day; they included two of today's acolytes,Mark and Zoe; and today's string trio, Gabriela, Mariam, and Natalia, as well as, Erik, James, and Richie.  They were among the 37 young people presented to Bishop Douglas today.
• That pride and gratitude extends to our youthful confirmands' parents who helped set-up and provide refreshments for the 200+ folks who participated in the service.  With the help of Rose & Chris Robinson, Pat Daunic, Diane Link, and Dennis Burke (and others whom I didn't see), they served a lovely reception in the driveway between the church and the rectory.
• Then there's my pride and gratitude for our Choir's musical leadership, and their lovely anthems; they extended their "season" to include this special service, and their inspired musical offerings, plus our string trio's, and Music Director Mark Sullivan's, definitely helped make this service special indeed!
• Finally, I am so proud and grateful for the folks whose service might or might not be obvious; in any case, their efforts were essential to hosting today's service. They include:  Our Ushers, who were here bright and early to guide our visiting confirmands, their families and friends, and their clergy, to where they needed to be.  Our Altar Guild, especially Marsha Brown, Katherine Frydenborg and Hope Sperry, who have had to work with just about every piece of linen, silver and brass we own, to prepare for today's service, as well as tomorrow's!  And then, there's our Parish Administrator Pat Wakefield, who prepared an 18-page bulletin containing today's entire service, and Rebecca Ervin and Sheward Hagerty who helped assemble it.  Thank you one and all; I am truly grateful!

One of the privileges of living in the Rectory, is my front-row seat for events on the Green.  So, Thursday evening, I could cheer for our five Guilford High School seniors as their names were called, and they walked across the stage to receive their diplomas.  Blessings and best wishes to our newly minted graduates -- brothers James and John, sisters Ava and Elle, and Luke! 

Again this summer, our Middle School mentor, Page Pelphrey, will help chaperone a Mission Trip to the Dominican Republic.  Composed of youth from across the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, Page and her charges, will work in two churches and visit a project site between July 1-9.  Page is now assembling the supplies needed for the group to lead Vacation Bible School.  Please consider helping by bringing to church such goodies as, Soccer balls (deflated), First aid kits, Beads for friendship bracelets, Bubble pans, wands, soap, Glue sticks, scissors, Duct tape, glitter and glue, Stickers (for projects and tracking attendance), and zip-lock sandwich bags.  Please leave them at the Children's altar.

As I write this, inspired with hope and gratitude, the heart also breaks for the violence our nation and our world have experienced this week. Let us persevere in prayer: "Let us pray that God may change the hears of those responsible for terror, warfare and gun violence" let us pray for those who are sick, injured or suffering; and may God have mercy on those who have died. O Lord, we beseech thee to hear us.

May  God's love and power enfold us all,

Harrison+
YFNR

p.s.: The "River of Life: Connecticut River Pilgrimage 2017" continued and continues its way south, still between Vermont and New Hampshire.  Over the course of 40 days, pilgrims are paddling their way south on a spiritual adventure including public events.  Bishop Ian Douglas and his wife, plan to participate in the southern portions of the pilgrimage.  Nearby public events are planned for East Haddam, Deep River and Essex on July 7 and 8.  To participate in them and/or as "Pilgrims in Prayer,"  go to the pilgrimage website here.

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