Let Us Pray + ECCT Convention

October 13, 2020

Almighty and everliving God,
source of all wisdom and understanding,
be present with those who take counsel in Connecticut
for the renewal and mission of your Church.
Teach us in all things to seek first your honor and glory.
Guide us to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For a Church Convention, BCP. p. 818
Dear Hearts,
    I ask your prayers for the Annual Convention of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut this week.  It will be a new experience for me and your delegates -- Jennifer Huebner, Bill Cuddy and alternate Susan Pogue.  The meetings will be via an enormous Zoom connection for two and one-half hours each day, Wednesday-Saturday.  The concluding Convention Eucharist, will be our Sunday livestream worship.  For me, the Convention Eucharist is an inpsiring  reward for sitting through hours of meetings: the music is great, Bishop Laura usually preaches, there's something in the prayers that tugs on my heart, and you a sense for participating with the larger Church.  Clicking here will take you to the Convention schedule; then if you click on Sunday, the YouTube link will be live on Sunday at 10a.m.
Our prayers are also asked for ----
All who are ill, including
Carol U, Kabir, and Margaret S,  and
for all who are 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 Roy Ervin, and
for the over 215,000 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 birthday of
Kasha K, Jean M, and Annie R, 
Bless your servants as they begin another year,
may they continue to grow in wisdom and grace.
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 [email protected] 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, October at 7p.m. with a commemoration of Samuel Isaac Joseph Schereschewsky, Bishop of Shanghai.  You can join the livestream via www.facebook.com/cecguilford. The bulletin will contain a biographical sketch; you'll find it earlier Wednesday here.  What's missing is that after retiring, the Bishop lived for a time in Sewanee, and continued his translations of the Bible and Prayer Book into Chithere.

Thursday Bible Study will step away from the Joseph saga for Genesis 38 -- the R-rated story of Tamar. She is one of the women in the Old Testament who speaks for herself.  Join the conversation on Thursday, October 15, at 9:30a.m.  Here's the Zoom link.

Prayers for the Election
I hope that prayer is part of your plan for how you will participate in the upcoming election.  Prayer is one way to deal with the anxiety raised by the election and the events surrounding it.  As the Bishop of Washington, +Mariann Edgar Budde recently wrote:
"Prayers are not passive. When we pray for the nation, as for anything else, we bring into our conscious thought an awareness of God’s presence, listening for the voice of God calling us to realize our part in bringing about good. In prayer, as a friend of mine likes to say, “We give God more to work with.” Through our prayers, we place ourselves at God’s disposal. We step up to the plate in whatever ways our lives allow." 
Our Presiding Bishop, +Michael Curry will host a service of prayer on the Sunday before the election, November 1 at 4p.m. from Washington National Cathedral.  Please consider making that special service  part of you election participation plan.  In the meantime, ...
Almighty God, 
to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges:
Guide the people of the United States in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected
and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
BCP, p.822
In the faith, hope and love of Christ,
Harrison+
Your Friendly Neighborhood Rector