Sunday, April 3: Diapers; Ukraine Vigil & Support

An Interfaith Prayer Vigil for Ukraine...
... will be offered on the Green in Guilford on Sunday, April 3 at 5p.m.  Chiefly organized by an interfaith group of lay folks, the service will include Ukrainian speakers, songs, prayer and togetherness.

Help Ukrainian Refugees ...
... in a collection at Christ Church organized by Dorota Xeller (our Director of Children's Ministries) April 3 -10.  All collected items will be delivered to St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church in New Haven for shipment via Warsaw to Lviv, Ukraine.   Items being sought are:  Aspirin, First-aid Kits, Neosporin, Saline wound wash, Toothpaste, Bandages, Gauze, Vaseline, Medical tape, and Men's white socks -- all new and in original packaging, please.  Please bring your donations to the Children's altar.

Poetry Retreat for Lent ...
... will be offered Saturday, April 9 from 1-3p.m. in the Rectory.  We will explore Lenten themes through poems chosen by Cecelia Parker.  All are invited take a break on your Lenten journey for this conversation with Cecelia.

Palm Sunday Preparations for all ages ...
... will be happening Saturday, April 9 from 2 to 5p.m.  Soup-making, brownie-baking, and palm-cross crafting are among the planned activities in the Parish Hall and Kitchen.
     These are all in preparation for our observance of Palm Sunday including the after-worship Soup Lunch. 
     The ECW will gather on Thursday, April 7 at 11a.m., in the Parish Hall to organize for their Bake & Craft sale which will happen during the Soup Lunch.

The Path continues ...
... this week as our "Journey through the Bible" takes us to Jesus' teaching and the events of his "last week" in Chapter 19 titled "Crucify Him."   We will see how far we get in the parallel conversations on Monday at 7p.m., and Thursday at 9:30a.m.    Click here for the Zoom.
     Copies of The Path are available on the Ushers' Table and on the Rectory Entry Hall shelf.  

Episcopal Election Update
The Bishop Transition Committee's nominees for the next bishop of the Episcopal Church in CT will be announced the "Week of April 4."  Yes, that is a change of date.   Please keep this process and the Committee in your prayers.

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.

Lent Madness will conclude the second round on Monday, with Oscar(Anskar) in competition with Thomas Aquinas for the "Golden Halo."  Don't know about one or either?  All the more reason to follow LentMadness.org here.  And yes, the whole concept is total "madness," and also inspiring and delightfully clever!

Mask Protocols ...
... in Worship:  Mask-wearing became optional during inside gatherings of Christ Church beginning March 24.  This was on the recommendation of our Worship Options Group adopted by the Vestry as they followed developments closely including this guidance from Bishops Douglas and Ahrens beginning in the third paragraph. 
We will continue distributing communion in one-kind for the balance of Lent, and from the Children's altar.
... 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.

Trivia Night on March 26 was great fun!  Thanks again to organizers Beth Brause, Lisa St. Marie and Susan Leonard.
 
Lenten Music for Voice and Organ 
on March 27 was an inspiring highlight to our Lenten journey. Many thanks to Leila Mustakos and Mark Sullivan!  If you missed this moving event, you can find it here on Youtube.  The recital begins after an introduction by me which you should feel free to skip!  Be warned that when the recital does begin, while the sound is great, you won't get to see the musicians -- the balcony remains empty.

Thanks to today's garden crew -- Michael Haggans and Tony Piscatelli assisted by groundskeeper Paul Ferraro.  They tidied the public areas and spread mulch.  Be sure to thank them!
With gratitude and hope,
Harrison+
Your Friendly Neighborhood Rector