Fr. Harrison's Letter for September 17, 2017

Dear Hearts,

Following Sunday's 10 a.m. service, you can build your own Ministry Sunday Sundae!  Folks involved in all sorts of Christ Church ministries will be ready to talk to you at tables in the Parish Hall; as you check out what they are up to, they'll offer you a topping for your sundae.  So move around the room, talk about what Christ Church folks are up to, and add your favorite fruits, nuts, sprinkles, candies and/or whipped toppings.  Along the way, you just might discover God calling you to try on a new-to-you aspect of our life together.

Children's Chapel and Sunday School got off to a fine start last week.  Children's Chapel will again meet in the 2nd & 3rd grade class room; while the other classes move to their usual classrooms for Sunday School, the 4th & 5th graders will meet at the end of the hall this week.

The Middle Schoolers and High Schoolers will again begin together in the Youth Room (former Nursery); their new "re:form" agenda prompts conversation with a short and witty video clip.  Page Pelphrey and our seminary-intern Graham Marsh will then lead the discussion.

And now, the offerings for adults will get underway:

Thursday morning Bible Study has chosen to focus on the Epistle readings for the coming nine weeks.  Over coffee and tea, we'll discuss Paul's short letter to the Philippians for four weeks, and his (perhaps earliest) letter to the Thessalonians for five weeks; we gather at 9:30 a.m. Thursday mornings in the Rectory Dining Room;

Rectory Forum -- returns this Sunday, September 17 at 9 a.m. in the Rectory living room for a review of the summer, and looking ahead to the coming year -- including an introduction to The Misunderstood Jew  (see more below);

Tuesday evening's Casserole Conversations return on this Tuesday, September 19 at 6 p.m.  (However, instead of a casserole, we'll begin with pulled pork sandwiches and cole slaw).  Our conversations will center on, The Misunderstood Jew:  The Church & the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus."  With great wit and outstanding scholarship, Southern Jewish New Testament Professor Amy-Jill Levine carefully unravels some past misunderstandings that sadly support intolerance towards our Jewish neighbors.  Copies of the book are on order; it's also available on Kindle and Nook.

Please join friends and neighbors of all ages for a Town-wide celebration of "Respect, Safety and Dignity for All" to mark the U.N.'s International Day of Peace this Thursday at 4 p.m. on the Green.  Houses of Worship, Youth & Family Services and Guilford Schools are all coming together for this event.  Church bells will ring, YFNR will offer a prayer, our Sunday School's Peace Mandalas (artwork and prayers) and Vacation Bible School's "Peace Pallet" will be on display, and we'll break into familiar songs for peace under the leadership of our own Mark Sullivan and First Church's Bill Speed.

All that, and it's Prep Week for The Tag Sale!  Tag Sale "Staging" will happen on Thursday from noon to 5 p.m. Tag Sale Set-up will happen on Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m (or until we're done).  And, The Tag Sale itself will open at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 23.  Be sure to invite your friends and neighbors!

Now that Harvey and Irma have done their worst, Episcopal Relief & Development has geared up to work through Episcopal and Anglican partners throughout Texas, Louisiana, Florida and the Caribbean.  Yes, all those devastated islands are in the embrace of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. So, please consider a gift to support this important witness to Christ's love and compassion. To make a gift for Hurricane Relief please go here.  The latest updates are available here for Harvey, and here for Irma.
May God's love and mystery continue to enfold us all,

Harrison+
YFNR

​p.s.  Thanks to everyone who made Welcome Back Sunday so special!  To the Choir, Sunday School Teachers and Youth Mentors, who returned to their important leadership roles, and to everyone who helped with the Welcome Back Picnic, providing delicious sides and desserts, who cleaned-up, and to Senior Warden Rose Robinson and Seminary-Intern Graham Marsh who did more than they probably planned!  Blessings!!