Let Us Pray + Consecration Sunday Link

Sept. 29, 2020

... We thank you for setting us at tasks
which demand our best efforts,
and for leading us to accomplishments
satisfy and delight us....  Amen.
 BCP, p. 836
Dear Hearts,
    The petition above is from the wonderful General Thanksgiving, that begins a series of thanksgiving prayers in the Prayer Book.  It came immediately to mind through the experience of last Saturday and Sunday.

• On Friday and Saturday, there a goodly crew of parishioners set up for and then conducted a first-ever Pop-up Tag Sale.  I'll let the leaders report on the proceeds of the sale, but my understanding is that the gross was over $1,100!  For an event that came together so quickly, this seems quite a triumph!  
• Christ Church folk were also involved in the Gun BuyBack with the Guilford Police Department, the Ethan Song Foundation, and Swords-to-Plowshares-Northeast.  Over 180 firearms were surrendered, and Swords to Plowshares was re-forging gun parts into gardening tools; thanks to Pat Daunic, they also had a display of heart necklaces made from shotgun barrels which proved to be very popular.
• Christ Church folks were also involved, indeed helped to lead, the South Central Convocation conversation about the way forward for Racial Justice, Healing and Reconciliation in our Region.  Our own Diane Kyle convenes the leadership team.  Have heard only constructive reports.
• And last but not least, Christ Church folk were delivering new parish directories to local folks (if you haven't received yours -- it's on its way!) thanks to the commitment of Senior Warden Susan Leonard to keeping us all connected by every means possible!

Our prayers are also asked for ----
All who are ill, including
Margaret S,  and Phillip, and
for Dale and all others contending
with Covid-19 disease, and for all facing financial hardship because of the pandemic.
May they all know the healing power of
Christ's presence and love.

For the repose of Frank Walsh, 
and for the over 200,000 of our fellow citizens,
who have died of the coronavirus.
Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord;
may light perpetual shine upon them.

Let us offer prayers of thanksgiving for the birthdays of
Evelyn Linksey and Jean Courtney
Bless these your servants, as they begin another year,
may they continue to grow in wisdom and grace.

And let us rejoice with Mandy & Chuck Benjamin 
on their wedding anniversary.
Grant their home may continue to be a
haven of blessing and peace.
 
Please continue to hold in prayer:
Claire, Kate, Frank, Jack,Judy & Ed S,  Michael M,  Richard D, Dave K, Brian A, Jim & Annie, John, Joan G., Lois C., Winnie Z, Bernie and family, Susie & Paul, Pam McG, Julie H,  Murray E., Brooke & family, Kate S., Tracy M., Carl,  Michael S, Joanne N-R,  Madeline H, and Kelly G,
Also: Paul D, Susan S, Linda B, June C, Charlie K, Anne C, Mark S, Angela G, Maria, Bob, Olivia, Lois T, and Jo B.
Please also remember:  St. Luke’s School & Church in Martel (Haiti).

To add names and concerns for Wednesday's and Sunday's intercessions, and this "Let Us Pray" letter, please send them to YFNR at harrisoncec@snet.net with any details you care to share.  Names will then move to the "continuing" list for 30 days, and the longer term list upon request. 

Wednesday Evening Prayers will continue, Wednesday, September 30 at 7p.m. with a commemoration of St. Michael and All Angels.  You can join the livestream via www.facebook.com/cecguilford 

Thursday Bible Study has resumed our conversations with, and about, the saga of Jacob. We continue this Thursday, September 23, at 9:30a.m.  We''ll talk about Genesis chapter 34.  Here's the Zoom link

Consecration Sunday Open House is this Sunday, October 4, 1p.m.-4p.m.  Please use this link to reserve a time for your visit.  You're invited to visit the Rectory -- which will be open in celebration of its 200 years, pick-up a refreshment in the driveway, have a moment of quiet in the church, and offer your estimate-of-giving for 2021 on the altar or a special table in the driveway.
 
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry's Word to the Church
In Sunday's sermon, I mentioned a helpful distinction in Bishop Michael's message, between having a partisan voice and a moral voice.  A partisan voice advocating for political parties or candidates is not the Church's role.  A moral voice advocating for the love of God manifested in love of neighbor and proper regard for one's self, is the Church's role. 
You can find the full text and a video of him delivering the Word here.  In it, Bishop Michael tells a powerful story of reconciliation, and decries violence against people of color and against those in law enforcement.  Indeed it is hard to square such violence with Paul's admonition to the Church in Rome:
Love does no wrong to a neighbor,
therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Romans 13:10
 
In the faith, hope and love of Christ,
Harrison+
Your Friendly Neighborhood Rector