Juneteenth: Cello Recital, Vestavia Hills, Swords 2 Plowshares

Juneteenth Sunday:
 
Senior Recital, Saturday, June 18, 7p.m.
Cellist Natalie Bryan invites the parish to her Senior Recital, Saturday evening, June 18, at 7p.m. in the church.  If you've heard Natalie play during worship, you know we are in for a splendid treat!  As an additional enticement. Natalie's recital will also premiere accompaniment on our newly restored Steinway piano.
 
The news from St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Vestavia Hills, Alabama, breaks the heart: gun violence at a parish potluck resulting in the death of three parishioners, injury to others, pain, grief and sorrow for the whole Church. Here's the Episcopal News Service account, and Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's statement.  As noted in both the ENS account and by Bishop Curry, today(June 18) is 7th anniversary of the shooting at Mother Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston.
    How timely for us then that ...

Swords to Plowshares will come to Christ Church next Sunday, June 26.  Bishop Jim Curry will preach during our 10a.m. service, and then demonstrate at the forge and anvil how guns can be turned into gardening tools and jewelry.  He'll then invite hands-on participation!  The gun parts are from weapons that were voluntarily turned-in.  Family friendly, free, and open to the community!
     Fulfilling prophecies of Isaiah and Micah, "they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks," Swords to Plowshares' strategy is to address the epidemic of gun violence by "converting weapons of death into tools of life." 

Rector's Retirement: If you missed the letters from Fr. Harrison and the Wardens sent on June 17th, you can find them here.  Much more information about what happens after the departure of Fr. Harrison and Jack-the-dog will be in the July newsletter.

Our "Journey Through the Bible" is coming close to its conclusion this Thursday morning.  We're reading and discussing passages from the puzzling Book of Revelation in Chapter 24, "The Alpha & the Omega" of The Path.  Feel free to join the conversation, Thursday at 9:30a.m.  Click here for the Zoom.
     
Special Requests from the Guilford Food Bank
The Food Bank requests help with the items below. Please leave your donations in the bin by the the north (Town Hall-side) door to the Narthex. Thanks for helping our neighbors in need.
Baked beans, Canned tomatoes, Pasta Sauce, Cooking oil, Household cleaner, Laundry detergent, Paper towels, Ketchup, Mayonnaise, Muffin mix, White rice  

Communion in "Both Kinds" Has Returned
We currently provide two options for receiving the consecrated wine at communion.  Worshipers may take a sip from the shared chalice, or from an individual communion glass.  To avoid crowding, the administration of communion continues at the foot of the chancel steps.
      Our Bishops strongly urge us to continue refraining from intinction as we have practiced it -- note the 7th paragraph here.  They also underscore that receiving in "one kind" is full communion. 

Need an Antigen Test?
The Town provided Christ Church with a case of COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Tests.  These tests are available on a first-come, first-served basis on the Ushers' Table and in the rectory entry hall.

Mask Protocols ...
... in Worship:  Mask-wearing is optional during inside gatherings of Christ Church. 
... in Sunday School:  Following the practice in the Guilford Public Schools, mask-wearing is optional -- always exercising special concern for any who are vulnerable.
 
Intercessory Prayer:  Please help shape the Prayers of the People, by replying to this message with the people, birthdays, anniversaries, and concerns you would like included in the Prayers of the People.