Fr. Harrison's Letter for October 9, 2016

Dear Hearts,

Saturday, October 8 is the day to bring your pets -- of whatever species -- to our annual Blessing of the Animals in Honor of St. Francis, at 11 a.m., on the Green.  We share the Blessing with our St. George RC Church and First Congregational Church neighbors.  Usually,  a few dog walkers happen upon the Blessing and wonder if their canine friend can also receive a blessing.  Of course!  So, please invite your friends and neighbors to join you for this brief service.

Our three congregations offer the Blessing of the Animals together to honor the life and witness of St. Francis of Assisi.  It was Francis who preached to the birds, reconciled a wolf and the town of Rubio, and saw all of Creation as capable of expressing the Creator's Divine Love.

Hurricane Matthew confounds all storm records.  Already in the Caribbean, Episcopal Relief & Development's "... networks in Haiti, Cuba and the Dominican Republic [are working] to provide urgently needed food, water and shelter supplies. In Haiti alone, 1.1 million people were affected and 350,000 are now in need of humanitarian assistance, ...."   (from an Episcopal Relief & Development Press Release). The Episcopal News Service reported that parishioners in one hard-hit area survived, “but the hurricane took their clothes, books, phones, crops, livestock… everything.” 

And now the Hurricane's path of destruction continues up the Florida and Carolina coasts.  What to do?  Pray first:

A Prayer for Preparedness & Response

O God, our times are in your hand, in the midst of uncertainty lead us by your never-failing grace as we seek to be agents of healing and hope.  Walk with us through difficult times, watch over us in danger, and give to us a spirit of love and compassion for those who suffer and mourn.  And finally remind us that you have promised never to leave us -- so that even in the valley of the shadow of death your love may be felt, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
-- courtesy of the Rev. Lyndon Harris, former Vicar of St. Paul's Chapel, NYC
 
Second:  Support the work of Episcopal Relief and Development by going here to join YFNR in making an on-line donation.

Our Sunday School, Middle School and Y.A.P. (High School)classes and Chapel Time will not meet this Sunday, October 9, because of Monday's Columbus Day holiday.  However, the Rectory Forum will meet with Andrew Doss at its usual 9 a.m. time and place.  Please join the conversation then or at the Tuesday Supper.   
 
In faith and hope,
Harrison+
YFNR
p.s.  A profound bow of gratitude to all of Christ Church's walkers and donors in last Sunday's CROP Walk!  We were among 250 walkers who made a difference for those without enough to eat locally and internationally.  And I was personally challenged to forgo the short-cut and walk the entire 4 mile route. So it was a win-win.  Special thanks to our Christ Church organizers, Rose & Chris Robinson !

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