Fr. Harrison's Letter for October 22, 2017

 Dear Hearts,

Consecration Sunday is just days away! In recent weeks, we have heard from fellow parishioners, Bobbi Stuart, Sudie Danaher, and Bob McNamara, about how they've experienced God's blessings, their gratitude for the opportunities to share in the life of this community, and the anchor the life of faith provides for their lives; all these shape their giving in general, and to God's Mission through Christ Church, in particular.  This Sunday, Consecration Sunday, our guest leader, will invite us to a similar prayerful consideration, and to respond to the spiritual question, "What portion of my weekly income is God calling me to give in 2018?"

At the conclusion of Sunday's worship, we will enter into a time of quiet reflection, with inspiration from the organ at both 8 and 10 a.m. services (thank you, Mark Sullivan!), and be invited to complete an "Estimate of Giving Card."  The Consecration Sunday stewardship education program moves away from the term "pledge card," to what this has always been -- a faithful and prayerful estimate of giving for the coming year.  After completing a card, worshipers will be invited to offer their card on the altar, and then to move on to the Parish Hall for our Celebration lunch; worshipers from the 8 a.m. service will be returning to join the Celebration!  This is a catered lunch; we are not asked to bring a thing -- just ourselves!

Our guest leader will be the Rev. Patricia Hames, who had a long and fruitful ministry with St. Mark's Church, New Britain, more recently served St. Ann's Church, Old Lyme, and is a member of the Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross.  While Pat+ was rector, St. Mark's adopted the Consecration Sunday process; so we have an experienced and faithful -- as well as good humored -- guest leader.  

As you may recall, our Sunday School decided last spring to send the proceeds of its Haiti Fundraisers to a new school and church in the little town of Matel, Haiti.  This September, St. Luke School, Matel, opened in a makeshift structure while a flexible and permanent building is under construction.  This week we received a link to a brief video progress report.  You can watch the YouTube video here.  Be sure to have a clean handkerchief or Kleenex nearby; I just watched it again, and still had to dry my eyes

Calling all musicians, dancers, joke-tellers, sorcerers, ghosts and super heroes, please get your act together for the Halloween Howler, Saturday, October 28 at 4 p.m. Feel free to invite friends to perform with you!  Costumes are encouraged!  Music Director Mark Sullivan will coordinate the event.  Need an accompaniest?  Mark Sullivan is your man. Speak to him after worship, or contact him via MarkCEC@snet.net.

The speed and scope of the California wildfires in the Napa and Sonoma valleys overwhelm the imagination.  Episcopal Relief & Development is, and will be, on-the-ground throughout the relief and restoration responses to this mind-boggling disaster.  Read about the work that's underway here. 
 
May God's love and mystery continue to enfold us all,
Harrison+
YFNR
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p.s. Last I heard, Saturday's Habitat Build project involved only painting. And, folks at all painting skill-levels were welcome.  Senior Warden Rose Robinson is coordinating Christ Church participation.