Last week repeated.
Time Off: I am taking the next two weeks off: Monday, September 7 through Sunday, September 20. I’m not planning anything special, just hoping to spend a lot of time catching up on rest, reading and enjoying being outdoors.
Sammie Wakefield and Pat Adams will host Compline, Morning Prayer and coffee hour on Sunday mornings. Worship on one of the Sundays I’m away will be Morning Prayer led by our Worship leaders, Gretchen Behr-Svendsen, Cathie Lewis and Lisa Thompson, and the other Sunday will be with the Bishop and whichever parish he is visiting that day. Check the Thursday Memo each week for Zoom information and the bulletin.
Book Study: When I return we will begin a discussion on the book, How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi. From the inside book jacket: “Kendi weaves an electrifying combination of ethics, history, law, and science with his own personal story of awakening to antiracism. This is an essential work for anyone who wants to go beyond the awareness of racism to the next step: contributing to the formation of a just and equitable society.”
We will meet on Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. beginning on September 23 for six weeks. All are welcome!
Outdoor Eucharist: We will have another outdoor Eucharist on September 27. Details to follow when I return.
Blessings, Caroline
via Zoom
Sunday, September 20th at 9 am - Worship with the Bishop at St. Andrew’s, New London and Epiphany, Newport
You are invited to join the churches of St. Andrew’s in New London and Epiphany Church in Newport as they celebrate with Bishop Hirschfeld. The YouTube link is HERE. The Order of Service can be found HERE.
AND...
The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
September 20, Proper 20, Year A
Collect of the Day We center ourselves for worship in prayer.
Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
First Lesson Exodus 16:2-15
We hear the story of God's feeding of the people in the wilderness. The Israelites are full of complaints and now think they would prefer slavery and death in Egypt to their present difficulties. The Lord appears to them and promises sustenance, but also a test, for they will only be given food on a day to day basis. It is possible to explain the food in natural terms: the flock of quail provide flesh and the secretion of insects the bread-like substance. But the point of the narrative is that God provides. The Israelites call the bread manna (perhaps from words meaning " What is this?")
Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45
A hymn of praise celebrating God's forming of a people through the generations.
The Second Lesson Philippians 1:21-30
In this reading Paul tells the Philippians that he would prefer to be with Christ beyond death, but he recognizes that he still has good work to do in his earthly life. The passage suggests that Paul had reason to think his death might be near, perhaps by martyrdom. He looks forward to a closer union with Christ, but believes it more likely that he will be able to visit the Philippians again. Either way, he asks that they live in a manner worthy of the gospel and stand firm in unity with one another.The Gospel Matthew 20:1-16
Our gospel is the story of the laborers in the vineyard, who are all paid the same wage despite their different hours of work. Like most parables, this story can have many meanings, as have been given to it in the life of the church. On one level it suggests that nobody can presume on God's grace, so often extended to those who may seem the least deserving. The parable deliberately flies in the face of normal human expectations. It offers a clue pointing to God's extraordinary evenhandedness in dealing with people quite apart from human ideas about their merit. Jesus may have told it in defense of his own sharing in the lives of the outcast.
For God alone my soul in silence waits; from God comes my salvation.
God alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold, so that I shall not be greatly shaken.
Psalm 62:1-2
Throughout the ages, humans from all faith traditions have sat in stillness and silence to return to their heart in support of their spirit. There is an inner healing presence available to us when we stop, notice, and allow.
If you are interested in strengthening or building a contemplative practice or seek silence within community, please plan to join others, each Tuesday, beginning September 15th, at 9:00am. Newcomers are welcome at any gathering. No previous meditation experience needed.
Our time begins with a brief sitting practice, facilitated by Christi Humphrey. Christi has lead other groups which gather to explore contemplative practices through meditation, teachings, and discussion. Guided meditations and teachings draw upon the Christian contemplative tradition, monastic spirituality, Buddhist meditation, and self-compassion practices.
If you would like to learn more or have questions, contact Christi Humphrey at cchumphrey@comcast.net. If you would like to sample Christi leading a guided meditation visit her blog https://watchingforgrace.wordpress.com/2020/03/21/bringing-compassion-to-these-anxious-times/
Oh when the SAINTS begin to PAINT
The OUTSIDE of our PARISH HALL,
Oh we WANT to be IN THAT NUMBER
When the CHIPS begin to FALL!
Do you want a project with a beginning, middle, and end?
Do you like the “tssst-tst” sound of sandpaper clearing chips of paint off a wall and the swoosh of a brush as new protective paint is applied?
Do you like to see immediate results and rejoice when your job’s well done?
If you answered YES to any or all of the above, then YOU are WELCOME to JOIN THE TEAM to repair and repaint the outside wall of the Parish Hall.
Please phone 323-8245 if you are interested in helping out. (We will begin after the heat waves have passed.)
Lisa Thompson for Buildings and Grounds Committee
For our First Nation people and those in this country who are living in impoverished areas of the Ninth Ward of New Orleans and the inner city areas populated by some of our poorest citizens.
For all those who are on the front lines serving communities during these difficult times.
Updating the Prayer List
Please let Deb know if you want to put someone back on the prayer list going forward. Thank you for helping us keep our prayer list up to date.
How often have you just driven by one of these and wondered what it said. Let me encourage you to stop. You can find a list of markers along with a location map if you click on the link above.
TAKE A PHOTO WITH YOURSELF, PET, WHOEVER IS WITH YOU,
LET ME KNOW THE DATE. Have FUN and enjoy the ride!
Next Food Pantry: September 17th
