Yard Clean-up Days; Region Conversation & Compline; Dr. Fauci

For 23rd Sunday after Pentecost, November 8, 2020

Fall Churchyard Clean-up:
Looks like Saturday and Sunday will be terrific days to work in the yard.  How about helping clean-up the churchyard will a few, distanced, others?  In addition to the usual raking, weeding and routine pruning, there are a few opportunities to re-attach fence panels, and saw off some heavy stems.  You can find a safe spot on Sign-Up Genius here.  Please bring your own gloves and other equipment.  Wheelbarrows and refuse bags provided.

Our Region Offers Community, Conversation & Compline, November 8th at 7-8p.m.  Gather with fellow Episcopalians across our South Central (Greater New Haven) Region, to share what's on our hearts, and to offer the brief prayers for the close of the day.  To receive the Zoom link, please register here.

ECW "New Scholarship Project"
Every year our congregation has supported our annual home-baked cookie sale during the "Chili Supper", but sadly this year these events cannot be safely offered. Nonetheless, ECW still wants to support our 2021 high school graduates by offering a scholarship to all who apply and meet our qualifications.  We need your support to do this; so we are asking you to send a " Free Will" donation to allow us to continue this program.  We are calling it "Cookieless Cookie Box" project, because we will thank every donor with an empty Cookie Box decorated with ribbon, detachable bow and gift card.  This is our way of saying thank-you for all your support over the years.   This project will run November 8 - 29, 2020.  Your "cookie less box" will be available in the Guild Room for pickup on Saturday, December 5, 2020.  Each box will be labeled with your name.  Those who live out of the area will be sent a Christmas-design gift card holder. 
Donations can be sent to:  Rhoda Whitman, 21 Aberdeen Way, Durham,  CT 06422  Please make checks payable to:  Christ Episcopal Church ECW, and note "Cookieless Box Project" on the memo line.  Thank you in advance for your support.

Outreach for Thanksgiving:  The Guilford Food Bank's Thanksgiving Meal program is adapting to the pandemic, and so will our support.  Instead of sharing foodstuffs, the Food Bank requests that we provide grocery gift cards valued at no more than $25.  Your generous response will help our neighbors-in-need to set tables with fresh and healthy food.  Gift cards may be dropped off in the Rectory Entry Hall or mailed to 11 Park Street.  Receipts can be provided.  We need to deliver the cards to the Food Bank, on or before November 19.
Thanks to all who provided Personal Care Bags, or personal care items, for Chapel on the Green!  It's not too late to drop those off.

Sunday Worship
Judging by the forecast, Morning Prayer in the Garden will enjoy a particularly lovely fall morning this Sunday.  We begin at 9a.m.  Enter via the gate off the Town Hall parking lot, and please remember to bring a mask and a lawn chair, and to maintain appropriate physical distances.
Our livestreamed celebration of the Holy Eucharist with hymns, vocal solos, and spiritual communion follows at 10a.m.  As usual the service bulletin will be available here.

Digital Sunday School's videos, coloring pages, and good questions for reflection were sent mid-day today.  No matter your age, don't miss Tyler Jarvis's  short introductory video.  We're not reading the Amos story in worship this week, but it does offer another perspective on our obligations to God and our neighbors.

Virtual Coffee Hour... is a great opportunity to see one another.  Using the link to YNFR's Personal Zoom Room worked well last week.  So, join the conversation via Zoom this Sunday, November 8 at 11:30a.m. by clicking this link.  If asked, the  Meeting ID: 540 197 1077, and Passcode: 1744AD

Intercessory Prayer:
Please send the people and concerns you would like included in the Prayers of the People. by replying to these announcements or the "Let us pray" message.  Please consider this the digital version of the clip board on which names and concerns were written when we gathered for worship in the nave. 

Book Discussion Group:  A Zoom discussion of Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent, by Isabel Wilkerson.  Two hardback copies are available in the Rectory Entry Hall for $25 each.  The author argues that our notions regarding race are fluid, but we internalize the fixed and rigid categories of caste unconsciously.  Discussion led by the Rev. Mary Anne Osborn; contact her at revmao28@gmail.com

Order for the Evening on St. Martin's & Veterans' Day:
On Wednesday, we'll observe both the Church's commemoration of St. Martin and our National Veteran's Day.   There is a connection: Martin served in the Roman army and is a patron saint of soldiers.

Thursday Bible Study moves on to Genesis Chapter 41 to begin Joseph's fraught re-union with his brothers.  Here's the link.  In case your are asked:  Meeting ID: 859 9654 1732  Passcode: 23389

Estimate of Giving Cards:
I hope that you have received your new Parish Directory and an Estimate of Giving Card for 2021.  Thanks so much to the over 60 households who have already responded with their Estimate of Giving for our operating budget in 2021!  

Thanks to all who are mailing in your offerings!  
Although our in-person connections remain limited, the routine of the parish continues amidst all the ways that support and maintain our common life.  Thanks so much, for your faithfulness in fulfilling your giving estimate for 2020.  Please continue your financial support of our common life by bringing your offering to the 9a.m. service in the Garden, or by sending your offerings to Christ Church, PO Box 574, Guilford, CT 06437.  Your offering will be presented at the altar; it will be physically present, as you remain safely elsewhere.
In the faith, hope and love of Christ,
Harrison+
YFNR
p.s. Post-Convention Conversations:
The Episcopal Church in Connecticut Convention Eucharist, daily reflections by our Bishops, and the sessions themselves are all available on the ECCT website.   The Convention's "World Cafe" discussions prompted "Next Step" conversations on how we -- in our parishes and regions, as well as a diocese, might address concerns around Economic Equity, Racial Justice, and Worship and other connections in our Livestream era.  These continuing conversations are open to all interested Connecticut Episcopalians; details may be found here.