Reserve Your Place at the Table! Hurricane Michael Follow-up, Get Ready for Halloween Howler!

20 October 2018
Dear Hearts,

Reservation cards for our Consecration Sunday Celebration Luncheon were distributed last Sunday, and will be distributed again during worship this Sunday, October 21.  Your reservation is all you need "to make" for the Celebration Luncheon which will conclude our Consecration Sunday observance on Sunday, October 28.  Because the lunch is catered, your planning team needs to have an accurate number for the caterer. 

Sunday School Director Laurie Varley will also have a kid-friendly lunch and childcare/activities for younger children.  So, there's a place on the reservation card to indicate how many children from your household she can expect.  This way Miss Laurie will have adequate staff and food.

Frankly, I think this focus on "hospitality" is one of the brilliant aspects of the Consecration Sunday stewardship program. We're invited to think, pray and respond in terms of God's "hospitality" to us.  We ask for God's guidance regarding the portion of our income God is calling us to give in 2019 to fund the ministries of our common life as Christ Church. And then, we will celebrate our collective responses on Consecration Sunday in the Celebration Luncheon.

I've heard lots of positive feedback regarding Bishop Laura Ahrens' Episcopal Visitation with us on October 14 -- both from y'all and from the Bishop herself.  In her talk with the children, I heard something new to me:  Her explanation of what her mitre, her "hat" as she calls it, means to her.  Bishop Laura sees her "hat" with its two descending bands, as a reminder that as a bishop she is sent out to tell the Good News of God's love from both the Old Testament and the New Testament.  Hope the adults were as quick as the children in naming stories from each Testament that tell of God's love.

Perhaps strengthened by all the lovely goodies provided by the Vestry during the Coffee Hour, you all had many good questions for Bishop Laura.  Given the follow-up questions I have fielded this week, I want to underscore what Bishop Laura said about the Cburch's response to Hurricane Michael.  The Episcopal Church's agency for dealing with natural disasters is Episcopal Relief & Development -- some may remember its earlier name, "The Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief."  Relying upon funds given for its work, Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD for short) supports on-the-ground partners -- especially local dioceses, parishes and church institutions -- in addressing immediate basic needs, and provides staff for training and coordination. 

According to an October 18 ERD press release, in addition to food, shelter and medical supplies, ERD's support in the Diocese of Georgia and the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast (which includes the area where Michael came ashore) has also included providing generators!  You can read the entire press release here, and make a donation to ERD's Hurricane Fund here.

There's plenty of time to dust off your old costume, and brush up on that talent you've been hiding under a bushel basket.  Our Halloween Howler is coming on Saturday, October 27 at 4p.m.  Performers in this costumed talent show can be of any age!  Among his many talents, Music Director Mark Sullivan is the sort of gifted accompanist who can make even a meager talent look good.  Don't hesitate to be in touch with him about how he might help you show off your talent!

Be sure and get your Reservation Cards in this Sunday, October 21, for next Sunday, October 28th's Consecration Sunday Celebration Luncheon!
 
In faith, hope and love,
Harrison+
YFNR
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