Lenten Outreach; Pilgrimage to Biblical Mountains; Prayers in Garden

2nd Sunday in Lent, February 28, 2021

Reaching Out During Lent:  Our Outreach Team invites us to “shop” via Sign-Up Genius to help fill the pantry of the Amistad Catholic Workers House in New Haven. The Amistad House is located in the Hill neighborhood of New Haven and is open as a house of hospitality offering meals and companionship for folks who are  unhoused, unsheltered and food insecure.  They could use our help with breakfast and lunch items.  Please "shop" on this "Sign-Up Genius" page, indicating the items you wish to purchase (multiples are welcome).  Then send or drop-off the funds to the Parish Office.  Items will be purchased in bulk for delivery directly to Amistad House.  Checks should be made out to Christ Church with “Outreach” in the memo line.  Donations of any amount are welcome for perishable items. 
 
Our Virtual Lenten Pilgrimage focuses this week on the role of mountains in the Bible.  Specifically, we visit a Mount of the Transfiguration.  Our guide will be the Very Rev. Richard Sewell,  Dean of St. George's College in Jerusalem.  The geography of the Holy Land is sometimes called "The Fifth Gospel," because the biblical narratives are so grounded in the the landscape.  Again, Dean Sewell leads the video introduction and provides a guide for our conversation.  He provides an introduction to the series, here.  Here's the link for the 9a.m. Sunday Forums, and  for the 7p.m. Tuesday Discussions. 

Prayers in the Garden service may meet again this Sunday, February 28, at 1p.m. if the rain holds off.  Look for a message Sunday morning. 

Digital Sunday School  continues with an introductory video from Children & Youth Ministries Director Tyler Jarvis  about God's Promises.  Even if the children's videos aren't your thing, I encourage you to check out Tyler's video introduction here. As usual, Tyler poses some great questions for your consideration in the email that went out on Friday about noon.

Virtual Coffee Hour... is a great opportunity to "see" one another.  The link to YFNR's Personal Zoom Room seems to work well.  So, join the conversation via Zoom this Sunday, February 28 at 11:30a.m. by clicking this link.

Wednesday's Order for Evening will commemorate the life and witness of John and Charles Wesley.  Although their reform movement led to the Methodist churches we know today, they sought to offer a "Method" for holy living through the Church of England.  Join our livestream Prayers, Wednesday evening, March 3, at 7p.m., for some great hymns!
 
Thursday Bible Study  will follow the Hebrews into the wilderness and the beginning of their complaints.  Join the conversation, at 9:30a.m. Thursday, March 4, via Zoom.

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.

Chancel Door Open for Prayers in the Church:  We are continuing our experiment with leaving the door closest to the Guild Room unlocked between 10a.m. and at least 3p.m.  Please enjoy a quiet moment of prayer, likely alone, in the church, and pick up a candle stub to light during your prayers at home.  Help yourself to frozen waffles in the Parish Hall kitchen freezer.  These were all made for Shrove Tuesday by Susan & Tony Leonard and YFNR.  

Thanks to all who are mailing in your offerings!  
Although our in-person connections remain severely limited, the routine of the parish continues in the new year.  Thanks to your faithfulness, we are able to continue our shared life of worship and witness -- even while maintaining appropriate distances.  Please continue your financial support of our common life by bringing your offering to the altar, or the parish office, or by mailing to Christ Church, PO Box 574, Guilford, CT 06437.  Your offering will be presented at the altar; it will be physically present, while you remain safely at home.
In the faith, hope and love of Christ,
Harrison+
YFNR