Fr. Harrison's Letter for June 3, 2018

Dear Hearts,

This comes to you following an only slightly dampened Middle School Overnight at Camp Incarnation.  Eight of us played, prayed, made s'mores at a campfire, visited the farm, worked together on a Ropes Course, and enjoyed waterfront activities together. We were also the happy beneficiaries of being bumped into a fully-furnished cottage and joining other guests in the dining hall for breakfast and lunch.  Delicious! 
 
Middle School leader Page Pelphrey was fully prepared with indoor activities for the soggy-weather forecast, but the thunderstorms didn't arrive there until lunchtime, and for that we were all grateful.
 
Purple, orange and green are the colors we're seeing in these last days of spring.  We supported Project Purple Week again this year with purple flags flying around the parish sign and at the entrance to the driveway.  Placing the flags in these high-visibility spots signals the parish's support of freedom from substance abuse.  This is one of our baptismal renunciations -- renouncing "evil powers that corrupt and destroy the creatures of God."   Those evil powers are cunning and crafty however; so, our baptismal promises include the assurance that whenever we fall under their sway, we can change course, "and return to the Lord."
 
This is also why we are pleased to host all the 12-Step groups that meet in our Parish House every day of the week but Sunday.  It is no secret that Episcopalians were among the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous, and that they adapted Anglican/Benedictine spiritual disciplines to frame the steps.  
 
The Orange ribbons on the doors reflect our concern for honoring and "respecting the dignity of every human being," as part of our baptismal promise to "strive for justice and peace among all people..."  In particular, Orange is the color of safety vests, including the ones worn by hunters; hunters' vests signal that the creatures wearing them are not to be shot.  We seek communities in which all God's children can leave in peace and safety. 
 
Some of our neighbors who feel especially called to the work of preventing gun violence will be hosting a gathering on the Green following worship on Sunday.  They would be happy to welcome you.  We can thank the Rev. Mary Anne Osborn for our orange ribbons.
 
The color green is now everywhere outdoors.  Indeed, where there was once bare soil and brown twigs, there's now an abundance of green seeking to takeover the backyard!  If you would like to help clear away some of those weedy greens, there will be a yard clean-up next Saturday morning beginning at 9 a.m.  Come by as you are able, and do what you can.   
 
We haven't seen our green altar hangings and paraments since early February and the beginning of Lent.  Now they return for the long season following the red of Pentecost, and the white of Trinity Sunday.  The degree of Sunday's heat and humidity will determine whether or not our lovely new green chasuble also makes a return appearance.  In any case, the season of steady growth is with us again.  

Those of you who want the straight scoop from the Episcopal Church's General Convention -- set for July 5-13 in Austin, TX --  will want to register for the newsletter prepared by the Episcopal Church in CT's own Karin Hamilton, Canon for Mission Communication.  You can do that here.   Be sure to click on "General Convention 2018' among the available newsletters. 
 
For those who wonder what a "General Convention" is, and also for those who think they do, I heartily recommend a clever illustrated introduction for the 78th General Convention held in Salt Lake City in 2015.  You can find it here.
 
In the meantime, I hope to see you on Sunday!
​
In faith, hope and love,
Harrison+
YFNR