Harrison’s Letter for the Chili Supper & the

Second Sunday of Advent

2 & 4 December 2011

 

Chili Supper& Sale of Cookies, Prints, Wreaths and Hot Chocolate! Friday, 5-7p.m.

All to help celebrate Guilford’s Tree-lighting on the Green, 6p.m.

Second Sunday of Advent, December 4: Stewardship Commitment Sunday

· Worship at 8 & 10a.m.; Rectory Forum at 9a.m.

· Children’s Chapel, beginning at 9:30, and Sunday School focus

on preparations for the Nativity Pageant and on Christmas crafts

Junior High pre-Class conversation also begins at 9:30a.m.

· Fellowship time will feature “Tastefully Simple” samples, followed by a benefit presentation

· Canned Stew& Soup suggested for the Food Pantry

 

Dear Hearts,

To continue where we left off in last Sunday’s sermon: Bill Meiselman was in the Hospice in Branford with shallow breathing. When I returned Sunday evening, his condition was unchanged; he appeared to be sleeping deeply and in no apparent distress. Bill died Monday morning as the sun rose, completing his Advent journey. A service will be offered for Bill on Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 11a.m.; this timing allows all of Bill& Jean’s offspring to be here for a helpful visit.

Our Advent journey continues with Guilford’s Tree-lighting on the Green. We join the Town’s celebration by hosting our neighbors for a Chili Supper, the E.C.W.’s cookie sale and an opportunity to obtain prints by Audrey Monroe. On your way into the Parish House (by the side door, please), you’ll want to stop by the rectory garage for a cup of hot chocolate and to buy a wreath decorated by our junior and senior high youth. The garage has never looked more beautiful!

The Tree-lighting Chili Supper, and all that surrounds it, provides an opportunity for us to welcome the larger Guilford community into our parish home. In all that we do today, as hosts and patrons, we will want to be sure that our guests gain a glimpse of the warm welcome that we have experienced here from Jesus Christ himself. Before the doors even open, let me thank all of you who have been and will be working on this ministry of hospitality. Profound Sarum bows go to general organizer Jane Ferrall, kitchen honchoCraig Slavtcheff, our Episcopal Church Women, print maven Carol Iovanna, and our young folks’mentors in wreath-decoration and sales, Jen McShane, Diane Link, Susan Shackford, Page Pelphrey, Marsha Brown, Annie Rae, and Jon Barringer.

Our Advent journey will continue on Sunday with familiar words from Isaiah, “Comfort, comfort ye my people…” Yes, Isaiah wrote these words long before Handel set them to music, beginning his oratorio Messiah. Mark sees these words fulfilled by “the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way of Lord…” This voice belongs to John the Baptist, an eccentric character who dresses in animal skins and survives on a diet of insects and wild honey. Yet people flocked to hear him then, and we still pay attention to him today. (Isaiah 40:1-11; Mark 1:1-8)

I hope you have received the handsome stewardship mailing produced by David Moore, Pat Daunic and Ted Sands. The Canterbury cap tips to them! More importantly, I hope you are taking the time to prayerfully consider your response to the invitation: Let’s Continue Building the Ministries of Christ Church! Christ Church has a tradition of designating a Sunday when stewardship pledges are received as“Commitment Sunday.” Let me note that it would greatly help your Vestry’s planning for 2012 to receive your pledge this Sunday or as soon as you are able. Our estimates of giving are, of course, based on our circumstances; they also signify our participation in building the ministries entrusted to our care. As Kay Claiborn reminded many of us last Sunday, “everything we have comes as a gift from God.” From all that we have received we are asked to offer a proportion.

Sunday’s fellowship time will feature samples of ready-to-serve and easy-to-prepare products from “Tastefully Simple”courtesy of Bob Donahue. A number of you have attended presentations, found the items delicious, and welcomed the easy-to-order, shipped-to-your door format. Carol Iovanna asked presenter Michael D’Agostino if he would be willing to offer a benefit presentation for Christ Church. A friend of the parish, the idea had already occurred to Mike; he will donate the net proceeds to Christ Church. With the Vestry’s approval, his presentation this Sunday is timed to allow for holiday giving and entertaining.

Advent blessings,

Harrison+

Your Friendly Neighborhood Rector