Fr. Harrison's Letter for September 24, 2017

 Dear Hearts,

As I write this, I can hear folks happily arranging Tag Sale treasures in the driveway.  The consensus clearly indicates -- and a visit to the Parish Hall confirms -- this is a really big Tag Sale!  Perhaps the biggest yet!  Thanks for all the lovely things y'all have donated and lifted about.  There appear to be some especially fine treasures among the decor and furniture items. And I spied a princess/ballerina outfit that will delight some young lady.  So, on Saturday, September 23, please plan to include the Tag Sale on your route; you'll also want to visit the Library's Booksale, and the Guilford Civic Women's Harvest Festival on the Green. A profound Sarum Bow to all Tag Sale helpers!

As a Thank-you for the use of Christ Church's Parish Hall and kitchen, the Civic Women are giving us their delicious Apple Crisp for Sunday's Coffee Hour!

Stories of a New America, a performance of vignettes about refugees starting over in the U.S., premiered in New Haven last spring to rave reviews.  It’s coming to Guilford this Wednesday, September 27!  The evening begins at 6 p.m. with a reception featuring international cuisine catered by refugees.  The performance follows at 7 p.m., with a post-performance discussion led by Chris George, executive director of I.R.I.S. (Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services).
Tickets are $25 for adults; $10 for children 8 years and older; those under 8 years old are admitted for free.  Tickets are available at www.eventbite.com; then search for Stories New America.

The lead sponsors for the evening are First Congregational Church of Guilford and Temple Beth Tikvah, Madison; they formed a partnership call SHIRR – Shoreline Interfaith Refugee Resettlement.

Two Saturday's ago, twelve Christ Church folks participated in the Syrian Dinner sponsored by "Saints on the Shoreline, (SOS)" at St. Andrew's Church, Madison.  Syrian refugee women had supplied all the recipes the SOS volunteers used to prepare the meal; and everything was delicious!  One male refugee, only in the US for nine months, spoke very movingly about his experience.  So, I'm truly looking forward to both the reception and the performance this Wednesday at First Church.

Speaking of (former) refugees, Noah and Shem Elemeleki recently became U.S. citizens!

Following the massive Tag Sale Clean-up, Saturday afternoon, Sunday's Children's Chapel Time will return to the 4th/5th grade classroom, and Sunday School classes will meet in their usual and customary places.

The Middle Schoolers and High Schoolers will meet together again this Sunday in the Youth Room (former Nursery); their new "re:form" agenda prompts conversation with a short and witty video clip.  Next week it will be back to usual places for them as well..

Next Saturday, September 30, please plan to return to the Green for our annual Blessing of the Animals in Honor of St. Francis.   Please bring the creatures who dwell with you on leash, in crate, or in photo-form.  We will again gather with our neighbors from First Church and St. George Church and all their friendly creatures at 10 a.m.  Please note this time change: we'll gather at 10 a.m.

Although Storm Jose continues to hang around, we have been so fortunate compared to the devastations of Maria, Irma and Harvey!  And then with another horrible earthquake in Mexico and the continuing threat of wildfires in the far west, Episcopal Relief & Development, and its Anglican Alliance partners, are on the ground all over!  And they need our support as resources are stretched to address the needs. So, please consider another 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 hurricanes and here for Mexico.

May God's love and mystery continue to enfold us all,

Harrison+
YFNR

p.s.  Thanks to the In-Reach Committee, especially leader Susan Leonard, who organized Ministry Sundae Sunday, and no, that's not redundant.  Thanks also to all the ministry leaders who provided such delicious toppings for the sundaes.  Blessings!!

Thanks also to all who participated in Thursday's U.N. Day of Peace observance on the Green!  It was a special occasion to support one another in the quest for peace in our homes, among our neighbors, and throughout "this fragile planet, our island home."  Our Sunday School's Peace Mandalas were displayed across the stage with each student's prayer, and they are very special indeed.