Welcoming All into God's Peace Together
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The First Sunday in Lent
Grace Morning Prayer Worship Service
ZOOM Church This Sunday
February 21, 2021
12:30 p.m. ZOOM
Followed by On-Line ZOOM Coffee Hour
See below for sign-on directions
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Grace Episcopal Church
5958 Main Street, Trumbull CT 06611
Office Phone
203-268-2809
email:
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The Grace Church Prayerline
Grace Church is happy to pray for you. You can submit your prayer request on line by clicking the button below or mail it to our church office at
Grace Church, 5958 Main Street, Trumbull CT 06611
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Greetings!
Mark 1:9-15
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’
And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’
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Collect for the First Sunday in Lent:
Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan; Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ, your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
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Sermons and Reflections
This is a sermon on "The Wilderness, Lent 1 (B)." It is written by Michael Toy and is published in "Sermons that Work," on the website of the Episcopal Church in the United States. The Gospel from Mark is above and the other readings for this Sunday may be found by clicking on the "Readings for this Sunday" blue button above.
The Wilderness, Lent 1 (B) – February 21, 2021
Wilderness, we have arrived. On this first Sunday of Lent, the texts thrust us quite suddenly into the wilderness. To start, there’s the story of God’s promise to Noah after the great flood. This is a beautiful passage of hope and promise, and what church nursery does not have a mural or painting of the animals lining up two by two to board the ark? But in this context, one cannot read it without the specter of diluvial destruction hanging over the passage. And speaking of specters, how about the epistle reading for today? We have Jesus preaching to spirits in prison from Noah’s day—a statement no one is quite sure how to explain. And of course, from Mark’s Gospel, we have the baptism of Jesus with the sky torn open, a heavenly voice, and then the Spirit driving Jesus out into the wilderness.
We’ve set the table. Now, where do we even begin?
The story of Noah and the great flood has many eyebrow-raising elements, not the least of which is a genocidal God. Whether or not the story is entirely a metaphor or has historical roots, the fact remains that the story includes a whole lot of people who are seemingly killed by God. Perhaps it is an anachronistic sensibility, but from our position in the 21st century, it seems unlikely that every single human would have done something deserving of death. In today’s reading, we see the covenant with God, that God has set the bow in the heavens as a promise that God will not flood the entire earth again. But that still does not answer the question of why God killed all those people to begin with. How are we to make sense of this bit of hopeful promise without acknowledging and understanding the rest of the story?
We turn to the New Testament with hope for some guidance. In the reading from 1 Peter, there is little clarity gained. Instead, there is a reference to Jesus preaching to spirits in prison from Noah’s day: Jesus “went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water.” The commentaries are not extremely helpful in providing additional elucidation. There are three main schools of thought when it comes to who the spirits Jesus is preaching to may be.
The first theory is that Jesus descended to the underworld to preach to the souls of those who died in the flood. This would imply that there were souls stuck in a kind of limbo, awaiting the birth and death of Jesus. A second thought is that Jesus preached to Noah’s contemporaries through Noah himself. The thinking goes that the Holy Spirit filled Noah and used him to preach Jesus’ message to his living contemporaries. Still others speculate that the spirits in prison are fallen angels associated with the wickedness run rampant before the great flood. Each of these theories has its own subdivisions of interpretation and line of implications.
It may seem the 1 Peter reading has only added to our confusion. Fortunately, we still have Mark’s Gospel to turn to. The text for the day begins with Jesus being baptized by John, the heavens torn apart, and a voice from heaven proclaiming, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” Here is a baptism account that is fairly straightforward. “You are my Son, the Beloved.” It’s a passage about identity. It’s a passage that showcases what theologians and philosophers call “ontology,” or Jesus’ nature of being. This is where Mark starts his story. Before the temptation in the wilderness, before healings, miracles, or preaching, Mark starts with this proclamation of identity. Jesus is the Son of God, the Beloved.
With this, we can begin to look backward at the other texts. We see the 1 Peter passage in a new light. Whichever way we choose to identify the mysterious “spirits in prison,” the primary purpose of this passage is to point to Christ’s identity. Jesus is the one who suffered. And Jesus is the one who has triumphed and now sits at the right hand of God. So, what does this mean for baptism?
It is interesting that the author of the epistle chooses to bring in the story of Noah and the flood as a prefiguring of baptism. It is a look backward. The flood was a disaster – whether it should be read as a literary metaphor or was based on a scientific event – the great flood was a devastating tragedy. Baptism is a look backward. It is a turn toward suffering, toward devastation, and even toward death. It is a look backward at the wilderness we have come from, not just individually but collectively, as well. As humanity, as a culture, as a religion, we have come from a truly wild place. We have suffered, and we have caused suffering.
While the analogy of the flood is a look backward, it is also a look forward to hope. There is a fundamental shift in humanity after the flood. There is an ontological change. These are people who have been saved. These are people who are beloved. No matter who they are or where they go from there, the fundamental part of their identity remains that they are people who have been rescued. Full stop.
Baptism, according to 1 Peter, is not a “removal of dirt from the body.” No, it is a sign of a change of identity. It is a sign that we are rescued, cleansed, and made new. We are the Beloved. We may not understand the suffering that has occurred before. We may never know the why behind the flood or the who of the spirits in prison. But whichever way we read these passages, there are two points that come across as clear as day. Christ is with us. And Christ is for us.
The fundamental message from our text today is summed up in the collect: “Let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.” Jesus is mighty to save. And taking that one step further, Jesus is mighty to save each and every one of us. Jesus is mighty to save you. As the psalmist writes, God is “the God of my salvation.” The God who is God of the waters and the mighty floods descended into the depths and fullness of human suffering for us. Now, we find our identity in Christ. No matter the pain we’ve experienced, are experiencing, or will experience, Christ has been there, is there, and will be there.
And thus, as we enter into this season of Lent, we see the wilderness around us. We see the wilderness we’ve come from. And we know there’s still wilderness yet to come. But through it all, we hold onto our identity in Christ. The identity of God’s beloved that ever reminds us:
Christ is with you. Christ is for you. Amen.
Michael Toy, an alumnus of Princeton Theological Seminary, has worked in Christian formation since 2013. He now spends his time writing, blogging, and trying to live out the radical call to love our neighbors.
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Transition and Worship Update
Worship Info for this Sunday in RED Below
The Grace Vestry recently had a virtual meeting with Bishop Laura Ahrens, for the purpose of discussing the future of Grace Church. A summary of the meeting by our Vestry, as provided to parishioners at the virtual coffee hour following the Grace Zoom service Sunday, January 3rd, follows. This is your editor's recollection of the report and future clarifications may well be made.
Bishop Ahrens advised the Vestry that due to the our financial situation, Grace is not considered able to search for a new priest. We need to begin consideration of other options. This decision was made by our Diocese in part because the larger percentage of our operating income comes from users of our facilities and not from parishioner contributions. It must be stressed that Grace parishioners are very generous and consistent in their pledging and contributions; there are just not enough of us to provide a larger percentage of operating income. Although our finances have been in the black for several months, this is in large part due to the fact that we are not currently paying a priest.
The initial options presented to the Vestry were:
Explore joining with another parish in the area, most likely selling the Grace property, and transferring proceeds from assets (amount available for transfer to be determined by our Diocese) to the other parish and merge into the other parish. This option is not limited to Trumbull churches; parishes in surrounding towns are also an option. Of course, this is entirely dependent upon another church's willingness to work with Grace to accomplish this. The hope with this option is that the joining of two churches will bring new opportunities for worship and new resources for community service. It is expected that the assets of Grace are highly valued and Grace will be able to provide significant financial assets to a partner church. This option requires a commitment by most of our parishioners to agree to go to the partner church as a group. If this option is selected, Grace is responsible for arranging the sale of the Grace property and assets and handling the closing of the facilities.
The other option is that Grace close and our parishioners then choose to go to whatever church they wish to attend. Some of us could very well go the to same church but there is no requirement for that. In this case, our Diocese arranges the sale and closing of Grace and all Grace assets from the sale are transferred to our Diocese.
Our senior warden, Fiona asks that we all give this some thought and begin exploring area churches. This is the first step. If you are able, please plan to attend a virtual service this Sunday and/or view a prerecorded service of an area church. Most churches that offer virtual worship have Facebook and links may be found on their websites. Keep in mind that we are in the research stage of this transition and have not approached any other churches yet as to their interest level in having Grace join them. Churches that have Zoom services or virtual services linked on Facebook welcome participation by guests. Some area churches are Christ Church Tashua, Trinity Nichols, St. Peter's Monroe and Christ Church Easton. Some churches are also without priests and are also in transition. This list is not all inclusive and suggestions to our Vestrypersons are welcomed.
Keep in mind that you may also view past services at various neighboring parishes on-line, usually on the parish's Facebook page.
Fiona asked that we virtually visit with St. Peter's Monroe, Trinity Nichols, Christ Church Trumbull in Tashua, St. Timothy's, Fairfield and Christ Church, Easton and we have done so. This Sunday we will have Grace Church Morning Prayer via ZOOM at 12:30 followed by virtual coffee hour. Details below.
Fiona writes the following:
Hello All,
I hope you are all well. Happy Valentine's Day. I want to thank all of you for your continued support and for the pledges that we have received. As you know we are still in transition and discerning next steps for Grace Church. Pledges can still be accepted and if still would like to pledge please mail it in. If you did not receive the pledge card and stewardship letter ( we learned that some did not get theirs in the mail) please let us know and we will be happy to send a new mailing. Please remember that pledges are changeable as your circumstances or the church's change. It is not a binding commitment. Any giving is appreciated and helps.
Pledges will enable us to continue to meet our bills and have services. The vestry is hoping to have an interim part-time priest assigned to us to help us throught the discerning process and is currently working with the Diocese on this. A priest will greatly assist us with seeking our direction and will also be available to serve the parish until our direction is clear. As always, our pledges greatly contribute to the support of having a priest in addition to the other needs of the parish.
Warmer weather will be here before we know it, perhaps not soon enough for some, and that will give us opportunities to meet again on the lawn. In addition, we continue to be a valuable resource for community service events. We have some possible upcoming community service events such as Life Line Screening and late summer Blood Drives and we want to do our best to serve these missions of healing. All of this can not be possible without our parish support. Again, Thank you.
This has been a challenging time, especially with not meeting in person. We have been having weekly coffee hours which has been a great vehicle for updating the parish on events and we welcome all to join even if you do not want to attend the service. The past month we have been attending services of churches in the area which has been interesting and enjoyable. This coming Sunday, Feb 21st, we will have virtual morning prayer at our Grace at 12:30 followed by coffee hour. Please join if you can.
If you cannot join us on Zoom, please call any of the vestry members if you have questions or concerns. We will update you as best we can through the GLOW and emails and website. However, for some the phone call is best so I welcome that your reach out to us.
God Bless your support. Please hold Grace in your prayers. God is a God of miracles and blessings.
Peace be with you,
Fiona Varker
Sr. Warden
Fiona Varker is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Grace Episcopal Church Morning Prayer Service and Coffee Hour
Time: Feb 21, 2021 12:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 811 7551 7430
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Meeting ID: 811 7551 7430
See you all Sunday. Peace. Fiona
Grace Church Ash Garden
During virtual coffee hour discussions, the plan for relocating the Grace
Ash Garden was discussed. The Vestry agreed that arrangements regarding the Ash Garden will be made well in advance of any change in ownership of the Grace property. It was further agreed that this is the responsibility of the parishioners of Grace to be sure that this is attended to in a timely manner. All parishioners on the ZOOM coffee hour agreed.
Fiona reported that she has since discussed the Ash Garden with our Diocese and they will assist Grace with this.
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To Parishioners and Friends of Grace
Stewardship in 2021
Updated Information Below
The Finance Team met via ZOOM on February 10th to set a budget for 2021. While Grace is in a period of transition and the outcome is unknown, the bills still need to be paid and an estimate of income from parishioners is included in the 2021 budget. The budget was completed and will now be presented to the Vestry for approval.
If you would still like to pledge, please send your pledge card or email your pledge commitment for 2021 to the Grace Church office with the understanding that if the situation at Grace changes, you may re-evaluate and restate your pledge commitment for 2021. Please also be reassured that it is understood that these are difficult times and income is uncertain for many people. Should you pledge and have a change in income over the course of the year, you may also update your pledge commitment. I If you need a pledge card, please email Pat in the Grace office or leave a message on Grace voicemail.
If you want envelopes for 2021, please send your request to the office and an update as to when envelopes are available for pick-up will be included in The GLOW.
Please mail your pledges and contributions to Grace Church, 5958 Main Street, Trumbull, CT 06611. Non-pledge contributions are gratefully accepted and you may also request envelopes if you want to send a periodic contribution but not pledge.
If you prefer to pay via PayPal, the link is on the Grace Website. Additional donations to Grace may also be made via the Grace Website or by check.
Your pledges and contributions are being processed, recorded and deposited and are much appreciated. The bills still roll in and Grace needs to stay current with our salaries and services!
Thank you.
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Grace is the Cereal Church
Cereal and other food items are needed for the Bridgeport Food Pantries. If you want to bring milk for donation, please look for the no refrigeration required, shelf stable milk in the supermarket juice/beverage aisle or the coffee aisle. Either shelf stable almond milk or dairy milk is appreciated.
During the current period of "Church in Deployment" (no worship services at Grace), please continue to drop off your contributions and they will be delivered to the Food Pantries. Thank you!
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The Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., is the seat of the presiding bishop of The Episcopal Church. Photo: Episcopal News Service
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Episcopalians prepare for second COVID-19-restricted Lent with mix of fatigue and perseverance
By David Paulsen
Posted Feb 15, 2021
[Episcopal News Service] As rector of Church of the Holy Spirit in Lebanon, New Jersey, the Rev. Philip Carr-Jones has a Lenten plan unlike any in his 37 years as a priest – self-imposed ashes on Ash Wednesday, drive-by palm distribution on Palm Sunday, a Maundy Thursday service on Zoom coinciding with family dinners, online Stations of the Cross for Good Friday and an outdoor Easter Vigil.
Carr-Jones, like many Episcopal clergy and lay leaders, says he’s exhausted, with the world now nearly a year into the coronavirus pandemic, but that experience also has prepared congregations as they enter their second Lent under threat of COVID-19. Livestreaming setups are established. Hand sanitizer and face masks are routine accessories for those able to gather in person. Outdoor services are common.
And as Episcopalians say personal prayers of repentance this Lent, they also will be joining Carr-Jones in a collective prayer for perseverance, to get through “one more Easter” like this, they hope, for the last time.
To read the rest of the article, click on the blue button below.
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Local News
From the Trumbull Patch
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Lamont To Expand Private Gatherings At Social Venues
Gov. Ned Lamont announced he would increase capacity limits for private gatherings at commercial venues, including weddings.
Posted Tue, Feb 16, 2021 at 4:30 pm ET|Updated Tue, Feb 16, 2021 at 4:48 pm ET
CONNECTICUT — Gov. Ned Lamont gave some guidance on the upcoming wedding and spring event season as the state continues to see good trends in its battle against the coronavirus.
Private gatherings at commercial venues will be expanded to 50 percent capacity with a maximum headcount of 100 people for indoor events. Outdoor events will be capped at 200 people. The new rules go into effect March 19 and are contingent on coronavirus infection rates staying stable or trending downward from now, Lamont said.
"Event planners tell us you need time to plan, so that's why we are giving you a month to plan this," he said.
Connecticut currently has a cap of 25 people indoors and 50 people outdoors for private gatherings at commercial venues.
Lamont also announced that he would provide guidance on attendance for sport events, so parents can see their children play. That guidance should come Thursday.
There is still some concern about the highly contagious U.K. and South African coronavirus variants picking up steam in the state, but Lamont remained confident Connecticut could stay ahead of them.
"I think we're putting up, not sure I could say firewall, but certainly some things to keep us ahead of what the U.K. variant could be," Lamont said. "I think the vaccines work pretty well against the U.K. variant so I think we're moving cautiously, but moving towards reopening."
The Connecticut Restaurant Association applauded Lamont's decision.
"This new timetable for reopening will give confidence to our customers and guests who need to plan months in advance for their special events," Executive Director Scott Dolch said. "We're thankful the Governor understood that dynamic, and that his administration took action. We look forward to being part of Connecticut's post-COVID recovery in the months and years ahead."
Connecticut's coronavirus situation has seen vast improvement over the past month, though it's coming down from a high place. The state averaged 36.1 daily coronavirus cases per 100,000 population between Jan. 24 and Feb. 6 — the rate is nearly half of the high point of 68.5 daily infections between Dec. 27 and Jan. 9.
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Lamont Budget Breakdown: Here's How Much Aid Your Town Could Get
Gov. Ned Lamont has proposed increased municipal aid in his budget. Here is how much your community stands to get from the state.
Posted Mon, Feb 15, 2021 at 2:19 pm ET
CONNECTICUT — Gov. Ned Lamont proposed an increase in total municipal aid with a focus on 25 distressed communities that would receive a combined $100 million extra in state and federal funds. All communities will receive at least the same level of current budgeted aid and a majority will receive more.
Municipal aid comes in a number of different forms from the state. There are Education Cost Sharing grants, road aid, capital improvement grants, revenue sharing from casino slot proceeds and payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) reimbursement grants to name a few.
This year is different from others due to a large amount of federal aid aimed at helping local communities handle pandemic-related costs, especially when it comes to keeping schools open.
To read the rest of this article, click the blue button below.
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CT Looks To Next Coronavirus Vaccine Phase As New Strain Spreads
Connecticut pledges to redouble its efforts to inoculate minorities as an ugly variant strain of the coronavirus makes further inroads.
Posted Sun, Feb 14, 2021 at 1:09 pm ET
CONNECTICUT — It was a week when you could almost feel the state had the coronavirus on the run — if you were white.
Hospitalizations plummeted, the positivity rate flattened, and the vaccine became more readily available — in retail pharmacies, no less. But on Wednesday the state released new data that sure must have killed the buzz in Hartford. For the first time, the Department of Public Health distributed the vaccine administration information broken down along race and ethnic lines, and the picture it painted was not pretty.
To read the rest of The Patch article, click the blue button below.
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CT Coronavirus Vaccine Appointments Open For People 65 And Older
Appointment scheduling started for residents between 65 and 74 Thursday. Here's what to know and how to schedule an appointment.
Posted Thu, Feb 11, 2021 at 4:29 pm ET
CONNECTICUT— Connecticut opened up coronavirus vaccine appointments for people between 65 and 74 years old Thursday, but it will take some time to get doses to people in the age bracket who want them.
Around 61 percent of state residents 75 and over and 13 percent (mainly due long term care facilities) of residents between 65 and 74 have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
There are still around 300,000 people 65 and over whom haven't received a vaccine dose yet. The state gets around 69,000 first doses per week.
Connecticut has administered 580,000 total doses, 417,000 of which are first doses.
Who can get the vaccine as of Feb. 11?
- Residents 65 and over.
- Frontline health care workers, including medical first responders.
- Residents and staff at long-term care facilities (through federal CVS/Walgreens.)
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Residents and staff of certain congregate settings.
Connecticut also has an agreement to vaccinate eligible people who live in a border state, but work in Connecticut and visa versa.
Who is next in line for the vaccine?
Frontline essential workers (including teachers) and people with certain high-risk pre-existing conditions that could place them at increased risk for a serious or fatal coronavirus infection. The state Department of Public Health hasn't released the exact list of health ailments that would be eligible, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has provided a list.
"It's going to be at least a few weeks depending on the uptake and depending on the supply of vaccines," Gov. Ned Lamont said Thursday during a news conference.
How can I get a vaccine appointment?
- Bristol Health
- Griffin Health
- Nuvance Health
- Trinity Health of New England
- Many local health clinics and health districts
CT Vaccine Appointment Assist Line at 877-918-2224. Hold times vary and appointments are only available at a select number of sites. The phone line is active from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.
To read the rest of the article, including vaccine locations, click the blue button below.
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FOR INFORMATION ON COVID-19 VACCINES FOR THOSE IN CT OVER AGE 65, CLICK THE BLUE BUTTONS BELOW
COVID-19 Vaccine in Connecticut:
Connecticut is currently in Phase 1b of our statewide rollout plan.
Get the latest information on availability, eligibility, and access to the COVID-19 vaccine.
Vaccine access is only for those who live or work in Connecticut
Phase 1a includes
Healthcare Personnel
Long-Term Care Facility Residents
Medical First Responders
Phase 1b NOW SCHEDULING
Individuals 65 and older
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From the Trumbull/Monroe/Easton/Redding Daily Voice
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COVID-19: Not Enough Vaccine In US For Everyone Right Now, Fauci Says
02/17/2021 12:29 p.m.
The U.S. doesn’t have enough of the COVID-19 vaccine to innoculate everybody right now and likely won’t have the appropriate supplies for months to come, said Dr. Anthony Fauci.
This announcement signals a pushed-back timeframe for when the COVID-19 vaccine will be readily available to the public. Widespread availability is now expected in May or June, he said.
Originally, Fauci had hoped there would be enough vaccine available for the U.S. population to have easy access to COVID-19 inoculations by the end of April.
As of Wednesday, Feb. 17, nearly 40 million Americans had received one or more doses of the vaccine. About 15 million people have received both necessary doses, the CDC said.
Going by Fauci's estimates, it could be mid-September before the U.S. is able to roll out the COVID-19 vaccine to everyone.
Fauci, who is President Biden's chief medical advisor, made the forecast on Tuesday, Feb. 16, during a CNN interview.
When Fauci first said there would be enough COVID-19 vaccine for everybody by the end of April it was based on having “considerably more doses” of vaccine from Johnson & Johnson than what the U.S. has now.
The J&J vaccine is yet to be authorized, but positive outcomes in late-stage clinical trials could encourage the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to give the vaccine emergency approval by the end of February, Business Insider reported.
Fauci has previously noted the importance of having an appropriate COVID-19 vaccine supply so that there are no delays between the first and second doses. Such a breakdown could lead to the development of COVID-19 mutant viruses.
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COVID-19: Here Are Latest Totals For CT As Lamont Gets Vaccine
02/16/2021 4:40 p.m.
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont has become the latest to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, remarking that he "feels better already."
Lamont, who is 67, announced on Tuesday, Feb. 16 that he has received the vaccine, posting photos and video from The First Cathedral in Bloomfield on social media to encourage other Connecticut residents eligible to go get a dose as the state continues one of the quickest vaccination rollouts in the country.
"I got the vaccine because, well, I'm old," Lamont mused during a COVID-19 briefing on Tuesday. "It was really moving to be in First Cathedral with Bishop (Leroy) Bailey (Jr.) and seeing people lined up, excited that they can now get vaccinated.
"I took the vaccine. It doesn't hurt one bit," he continued. "It's one small poke for man and break the COVID for mankind."
Connecticut has now administered 473,784 first doses of the vaccine, and 218,062 second doses, the fourth-highest percentage in the country. Lamont said that 66 percent of residents over the age of 75 have been vaccinated, while 23 percent of the 65 to 74 age group have received at least a first dose.
To read the rest of the Daily Voice Article, click the blue button below.
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COVID-19: CDC Releases New Guidance, Strategies For Reopening Schools
02/12/2021 3:45 p.m.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is encouraging schools and school districts to reopen safely and has just released new guidance for doing just that.
On Friday, Feb. 12, the CDC unveiled the new science-based plan.
“It is critical for schools to open as safely and as soon as possible, and remain open, to achieve the benefits of in-person learning and key support services,” health officials said. “To enable schools to open safely and remain open, it is important to adopt and consistently implement actions to slow the spread of COVID in schools and in the community.”
To read the rest of the article, click the blue button below.
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AA Meetings Resume at Grace
AA groups have resumed meetings at Grace. Instead of meeting in the Lewis Hall Meeting Room for now, groups are meeting in the larger Undercroft Parish Hall. For now this space allows for socially distanced meetings. The space was cleaned and AA will provide cleaning going forward. One restroom will be used by AA and the other will be closed during meetings. For details on available meetings, and restarting meeting, please go to grace-eye-opener.org
or click the button.
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Dear Friends of C.A.R.E.S.,
We hope this communication finds you and your family safe and healthy. In light of the unprecedented gathering restrictions, and in response to our participants' request to continue meetings, C.A.R.E.S. is offering a new way for our C.A.R.E.S. family and friends to meet.
If new to a C.A.R.E.S. Hope & Support Group, please call or reply to this email and we will send you more information.
C.A.R.E.S.
VIRTUAL HOPE & SUPPORT GROUP
MONDAYS
7:00 - 9:00 PM
* All meetings are free of charge
Please contact us using the info below for assistance of any kind.
855-406-0246
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To make a contribution to the CCGB Virtual Food Drive, click the blue button below.
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Raising the BAR -Becoming Anti-Racist
Our Anti-Racism Work is more important than ever!
We invite you to join a monthly conversation, on the 3rd Thursday evening each month. We focus on a specific, systemic disparity each month, delving into history as well as current policies that continue to plague our communities. Our next meeting is Thursday, February 18, when we will focus on Implicit Bias.
To register for the CCGB Monthly Conversation on Anti-Racism, Click the blue button below.
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St. Pauly's Clothing shed at
GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
reopens!
The clothing donation shed at Grace Episcopal Church, 5958 Main Street, Trumbull, CT, which was temporarily closed due to global effects of the pandemic, has now been reopened to the public.
If you are not familiar with the clothing donation shed, it’s designed to give community members a uniquely clean, convenient, and well-cared-for option to donate their used clothing to. St. Pauly Textile Inc., the company that has provided the shed, partners with businesses and various organizations to distribute donated items both here in the U.S. and worldwide, where they are ultimately re-worn by people who need them. Grace Church funding for donated clothing, and additionally has the option to use donations to serve community needs.
With over 1,300 clothing drop-off sheds in place, St. Pauly Textile Inc. collects over 90,000 pounds of clothing every day and estimates that this clothing ends up in 44 different countries (including the U.S.) yearly. In 2019, the company was able to help keep over 20 million articles of clothing out of landfills, which clothed an estimated 2.5 million people worldwide. The company was founded in 1996 and is an A+ rated member of the Better Business Bureau.
Accepted items: clothing, shoes, belts, purses, blankets, sheets, curtains, pillowcases, and stuffed animals. NO FURNITURE OF ANY SIZE. NO TOYS. NO CARRIAGES. NO CAR SEATS. NO CRIBS. NO APPLIANCES. NO GLASS ITEMS. DONATION MUST FIT INTO THE SLOT IN THE FRONT OF THE SHED. DO NOT LEAVE ANY ITEMS OUTSIDE THE SHED.
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A word from the brothers of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist
Yield
Belief involves our whole being and orientation toward God. It is the yielding up of our selves – our bodies, minds and spirits – in trust and in confidence to the One who has created us and redeemed us and called us by name. It is to enter into relationship with this God and to live connected to God’s life and power, like a branch that draws its life from the vine.
-Br. David Vryhof, Society of Saint John the Evangelist
For more information on the Society of Saint John the Evangelist, please visit their web site at: http://ssje.org/ or click the button below.
SSJE is a monastic community of The Episcopal Church & The Anglican Church of Canada
Brother, Give Us A Word is a daily devotion
The Society of Saint John the Evangelist is an independent, 501(c) (3) non-profit tax exempt U.S. corporation.
© 2015 The Society of Saint John the Evangelist, All Rights Reserved
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The Episcopal Church in Connecticut
Participating in God's Mission
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Rooted in Hope in a Time of Anxiety: A Day for Laity
Saturday, February 27 from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Are you growing weary of life in “COVID-time?” Would you benefit from a Lenten Retreat?
Join our bishops and laity from across ECCT for a day of spiritual refreshment and learning. Living in the midst of chronic anxiety impacts all of us; our relationships with our children, spouses/partners, family, friends, colleagues, and faith communities. Together we will learn about the predictable ways humans react to chronic anxiety from Dr. David Olsen, a nationally recognized expert on the impact of anxiety on families and churches. We will also explore patterns of behavior that can help alleviate stress and anxiety. Interspersed throughout the day our chaplains from the Bethany House of Prayer will offer opportunities for reflection, meditation, and prayer.
Note: This is a free event open to all laity in ECCT; preregistration is required in order to receive the Zoom link. Click on Blue Button below to register.
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Special Statement from the Standing Committee
At its November 19 meeting, the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut strongly recommends that all parishes in the diocese abide by the guidelines of the Connecticut Department of Health such that any parish listed in a red zone refrain from holding indoor or in-person services.
Thurs. March 4, 2021 6:30 PM EST
Faithful Futures: Discovering & Documenting our Historic Complicity in Racism
Join ECCT Archivist Greg Farr and other panel researchers for a discussion on research strategies and resources available to engage in the work directed by Resolution #7 from our last Annual Convention. Knowing ourselves as individuals, groups, and societies begins by remembering the past, and this work is informed by historical research. This Faithful Futures event will focus on initiating such research and on the shared experience of researchers already engaged in the work of discovering their parish’s complicity in racism and the social institution of slavery.
To register for Faithful Futures, click the blue button below.
ECCT Stories: Joining Jesus: Cathedral Redevelopment Project
Written by The Very Rev. Miguelina Howell, Dean of Christ Church Cathedral.
The Cathedral Redevelopment Project is a venture whose seeds were planted seven years ago, bearing fruit of creativity, innovation, and hope for our collective participation in God’s mission at the corner of Church and Main street in Hartford and beyond.
To read the rest of this blog, click on the ECCT Stories Blog blue button below.
Would you like to learn more about the Episcopal Church in Connecticut? Visit the Episcopal Diocese website at www.episcopalct.org OR CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW
to read blogs, view photos, enjoy poetry and learn more about upcoming events in the Episcopal Church in our state. It is always an interesting site to check out when you are browsing on-line.
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Camp Washington - Life changing events for adults and children
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Saturday March 27, 2021 9 AM EST
Lenten Quiet Day at Camp Washington
Join us for a time of reflection and renewal in the midst of your Lenten journey. Our time together will be held outside in the chapel (weather permitting) while observing all physical distance guidelines. The day will consist of four sections: Each presenter will offer a reflection/meditation followed by an activity such as journaling, discussion, walking, and other hands-on activities. You are welcome to bring a bag lunch to enjoy after the program. There is no charge for this program however registration is required.
To register for the Camp Washington Lenten Quiet Day, click the blue button below.
For Information on Camp Washington, See ECCT website for details or www.campwashington.org.
Camp Washington
(860) 567- 9623
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