Gratitude from Chapel on the Green in New Haven, and to Kitchen Donors; Tag Sale Donations Now Being Received

July 6, 2019
Dear Hearts,

Last Saturday and Sunday were not your typically quiet summer weekend at Christ Church!  On Saturday morning, while one group of volunteers were making sandwiches in the Parish Hall for the next day's Chapel-on-the-Green, Page Pelphrey's youth VBS volunteers were gathering in the driveway to ride together to JFK for their flight to the Dominican Republic.  There was a lot of excitement, last minute errands for fogotten items, and finally the packing of an airport van with both personal luggage and even more luggage carrying all the supplies for mutliple Vacation Bible School offerings the next week.  Finally, all was gathered and packed and the VBS crew was off!With our prayers!  (They're scheduled to return late on Sunday.)

Similarly, the sandwiches were soon all made and stored in the refrigerator; Jennifer Huebner recruited some kind folks to bake the brownies at home, things were tidied up, washed and put away.  And that was just in the morning.

Then in the afternoon, Bill Cuddy, Diane Kyle, Kathleen & David Jones, Jennifer Huebner and I, traveled to our Cathedral in Hartford to be part of the standing-room only crowd for Felix Rivera's ordination to the Sacred Order of Deacons.  Felix was one of eight who were ordained; together, the newly ordained represented the diverse spectrum of ages and ethnicities within the Episcopal Church in Connecticut.  The prayers were profound, the music stirring, the silences solemn, and the joy palpable.  Oh, and the heat: it was hot!

Then on Sunday morning, we rejoiced as the Rev. Deacon Felix Rivera, wore his diaconal stole, proclaimed the Gospel, led the prayers, set the altar/table, and issued the dismissal.  These are all signs of a deacon's ministry at the portals of the Church, leading us in ministries for those in need, and sending us out to respond to the sorrows of the world.

The Vestry kindly hosted a celebratory reception for Felix in the Parish Hall; a Sarum bow of thanks to them.

There were more tables to be set however!  That afternoon James Brunnetti, Bill Cuddy, Caroline Herrick, Jennifer Huebner and I, gathered with neighbors from St. John's, North Guilford, to host Chapel-on-the-Green behind Trinity Church, New Haven.  Fortunately, the rains held off mostly, and the Holy Spirit came along side me to adapt my morning sermon for this afternoon setting.  Your gifts of sunscreen and lip balm were gratefully received by the fellowship gathered there; thank you for graciously responding to the summer rigors of life for those living on the margins of New Haven's plenty.

A quiet effort to address the torn and worn vinyl flooring in the Parish Hall kitchen will now allow us to replace the flooring and to repaint the walls and ceiling!  Your Vestry has accepted donations from several individuals, the morning 12-Step group "Joy of Living," and our own ECW, to undertake the following work:

• repaint the suspended ceiling grid and to paint white, the previously bare plywood ceiling above it;
• this will be followed by painting the kitchen trim and walls durable versions of the Parish Hall colors; 
• and then a new floor and new thresholds will be installed; The new flooring is in large-format tiles composed of vinyl with a ground ceramic coating for a durable, non-slip surface.  It is also easy to clean.

As noted in a special message yesterday, donations are now being received on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings for the Tag Sale.  Please bring the gently-used housewares, china, glassware, sports equipment, children's toys and games, Christmas decorations CDs and DVDs,  Just no computers or other electronic items, please.  Please also consider how you might join in this all-parish effort.

However and wherever,you may be spending this post-July 4th weekend, I hope you are safe and happy!  I look forward to our worship on Sunday; our prayers and hymns will include those of dedication and gratitude for our nation and the freedoms we enjoy.
In faith, hope, and love,
Harrison+
YFNR
p.s. the Outreach team wants to be sure you know about the "Lights for Liberty" opportunity on Friday, July 12.  This is a way to express solidarity with and concern for asylum-seekers and detainees on our country's southern borders. The concept is to raise a "light for liberty"  on Friday, July 12 on 9p.m. on your front lawn or where others are gathering.  Details are available at www.lightsforliberty.org ; click on "Local Events" for gatherings in CT.  In addition to those now listed there, I understand there'll be a gathering outside First & Summerfield Methodist Church on Elm & Church Streets in New Haven.
"Lights for Liberty" recalls Emma Lazarus's words inscribed on the base of the Statue of Liberty, including:
"Give me your tired, your poor,
your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.
The wretched refuse of your teaming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"