Welcoming All into God's Peace Together
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The Second Sunday in Lent
February 28, 2021
No Grace Worship Service This Sunday
See Below for Worship Opportunities
10:30 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 8:31-38
Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly.
And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’
He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’
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Collect for the Second Sunday in Lent:
O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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Sermons and Reflections
This is a sermon on "The Most Difficult Path to Follow, Lent 2 (B)." It is written by Katerina Katsarka Whitley 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 Most Difficult Path to Follow, Lent 2 (B) – February 28, 2021
Imagine the scene. You are one of the group of Galileans who have been singled out to follow the most compelling teacher ever to walk the stony hills of your land. You have been with your beloved leader, the one you call Master or Rabbi, for nearly three years now, and increasingly, you watch as more people come to hear him, entranced by his message about God as a loving father, people longing to be fed, some with words of comfort and many of them literally. And then there are those miserable ones who are sick or blind, who take up his time, but he gives it freely, healing them and giving then sight in the process. But you, you are not one of the crowd, you are the one who just recently has had his name changed from Simon to Peter. You are Petros, the rock, the stone chosen and cut and named by your beloved Master. You declared the conviction of your heart to him when he asked that stirring question: “Who do you say that I am?” And you, Simon the fisherman, you were the one with the proper answer. “You are the Messiah.”
So now that all of us have imagined the scene and have, somehow, identified with Peter at his triumphant moment of revelation and stunning declaration, let us move with him to the scene that follows. Already, halfway into Mark’s Gospel, we are entering the second part that concentrates on Jesus’ passion. In today’s passage, we are given the first prediction of suffering and death in Mark’s singular style of brevity and immediacy. “Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed . . .” “What? Did he say killed?” The disciples forget all their preoccupations, look at each other stunned, fail to hear the end of the prediction, and then turn to Peter because Jesus seems removed, deep in thought—probably in prayer, they think, for he seems to be always connected to Someone else, always praying. And Peter takes charge again. This simply will not do. No one had ever spoken of the Messiah as having to suffer. After all, the word Messiah, Anointed, is a triumphant word. He grasps Jesus by the arm to move him a bit away from the others, and Jesus allows this, listens to him as Peter rebukes him. What is Peter saying? What does the word rebuke mean? Something like this, perhaps: “How can you speak of suffering and death? Didn’t we agree just the other day that you are the Messiah, the Son of the living God? and you did not dispute it when I declared it to you. Why are you frightening us? Look at all the crowds following you.”
Jesus does not answer him immediately. He pulls away from Peter and turns to look at his disciples, these people he has loved and taught for so many months, the ones on whom he has pinned his hopes that the vision of the kingdom that has set him on fire will do the same for them and that they will continue his mission. He sees that they are stunned and frightened, but mostly confused. He knows that he has the power to change his own course and to comfort them. He remembers his forty days in the wilderness, Satan tempting him with power. Look, if you align with me all these kingdoms will be yours. Just say the word. Forget the one who is pulling you to himself, always to himself, forget your father. Jesus addresses Peter, but his eyes are on all his faithful disciples, for they all matter. If they don’t understand, no one will. “Get behind me, Satan!” he cries out again as he did in the wilderness, directly to Peter, reversing what he had told him in their previous encounter. Now his meaning is just as clear: “Peter, you are thinking of all this in human terms. You are thinking of human power and armies and wealth, and even of violence. But the ways of God are different. Don’t you know this? Haven’t I spoken to you about God’s kingdom?” He sees Peter’s anger and then confusion and immediately his great sadness. And he knows that his dear disciple will go through much agony of spirit and grief before he understands. Now he must teach all of them once again, he must make them understand the values of the kingdom.
His first words are terrible. Do you want to follow me? It will not be easy. I am not promising you power or wealth or importance. First, you recognize that God is the center of your existence, not you, yourself. “Take up your cross,” he tells them, “and follow me.”
In our days, this command is used profanely. “I too have my cross to bear,” someone says of a simple annoyance, and we who have been confronted by the gospel cringe. But in that day, Jesus’ listeners knew what the sentence meant in all its horror. The condemned had to carry their own means of the most horrid death to their crucifixion. This was an awful saying to the ears who first heard it. They knew the reality of Roman cruelty. Later they would come to recognize their teacher’s words more fully: “If you can recognize your own self-centeredness and then discard it, you may follow me. If you understand that the life I call you to lead may cause your own death, you may follow me.”
They quickly learned what we are invited to learn every day. The life we are called to live as Christ-followers is filled with paradox. We gain by losing. We are saved by dying to self. The first become last. The last, the despised, become first. This is no happiness gospel. This is no prosperity gospel. We are not called to make millions while others go hungry. We are not called to live in mansions when others have nowhere to lay their heads.
The gospel of Christ is not casual. It is not reserved for those who say the right words while their lives speak of prestige and power. The beautiful psalm appointed for today was composed by someone who understood this kind of justice that lives in the heart of the Creator.
“For he does not despise nor abhor the poor in their poverty;
neither does he hide his face from them;
but when they cry to him he hears them.”
It may not seem that way in this unequal and unjust society of ours. In times of distress, we ask: “Does God not hear us?” And then we remember Gethsemane and Christ’s tears and sweat, and then, the terrible silence. Yet, he did pick up his own cross and obeyed.
The Old Testament Lesson and St. Paul speak of faith and covenants and promises fulfilled because of Abraham’s trust in God. Jesus’ trust in God brought him to the cross. It is the only way we have for understanding what he means when he warns us of the cost of following him. And yet, who would not want to follow him? As Peter said when inspired by the Holy Spirit, “You, Lord, you alone have the words of life eternal.” Thanks be to God.
Katerina Katsarka Whitley lives and writes in Boone, N.C. Her most recent book is a memoir, Myth and Memory, my Childhood in WWII Greece. She is available for retreats and speaking engagements, praying that one day we can all get together again as a community of faith—face to face.
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Take Up Your Cross, The Savior Said
Hymn 675, The Hymnal 1982
"Take up your cross," the Savior said,
"if you would my disciple be;
take up your cross with willing heart,
and humbly follow after me."
Author: Everest, Charles William, M.A., born at East Windsor, Connecticut, May 27, 1814, graduated at Trinity College, Hartford, 1838, and took Holy Orders in 1842. He was rector at Hamden, Connecticut, from 1842 to 1873, and also agent for the Society for the Increase of the Ministry. He died at Waterbury, Connecticut, Jan. 11, 1877 (See Poets of Connecticut, 1843). In 1833 he published Visions of Death, and Other Poems; from this work his popular hymn is taken:—
Take up thy cross, the Saviour said. Following Jesus. The original text of this hymn differs very materially from that which is usually found in the hymn-books. The most widely known form of the text is that in Hymns Ancient & Modern, where it appeared in 1861. It was copied by the Compilers from another collection, but by whom the alterations were made is unknown. The nearest approach to the original is in Horder's Congregational Hymn Book, 1884. Original text in Biggs's English Hymnology, 1873, p. 24.
From Hymnary.org
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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 again visit St. Timothy's Fairfield via ZOOM at 9:30 a.m. followed by virtual ZOOM Grace coffee hour at 11:00 a.m. Details below. To view the most recent St. Timothy's newsletter, click the blue button below. Please note that ZOOM Sunday Service links are available in the St. Timothy's newsletter blue button link below as well as the blue button Facebook link below.
Fiona writes the following:
Hello All,
Here is the zoom link for the 11:00 coffee hour after the 9:30 service at St. Timothy's in Fairfield. To access the St. Timothy's service, log onto the Facebook page St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, Fairfield. (or click the blue button below)
Peace be with you,
Fiona Varker
Sr. Warden
Fiona Varker is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Grace Episcopal Church Coffee Hour
Time: Feb 28, 2021 11:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 850 3658 3477
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Dial by your location
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Meeting ID: 850 3658 3477
See you all Sunday. Peace. Fiona
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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 requested envelopes for 2021, they are in the church narthex for you to pick-up.
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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By ENS staff
As Washington National Cathedral marks the U.S. death toll topping a half-million this week, millions of people are receiving vaccinations against the coronavirus.
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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New CT Coronavirus Vaccine Eligibility: 5 Things To Know
Gov. Ned Lamont announced Connecticut will drastically change its coronavirus vaccination plan with a focus on age groups.
Posted Mon, Feb 22, 2021 at 10:50 pm ET|Updated Tue, Feb 23, 2021 at 2:16 pm ET
CONNECTICUT — Gov. Ned Lamont made a surprise announcement Monday about the state moving to an age-based system for coronavirus vaccinations.
Teachers, child care workers and many other in-person school staff are also qualified to get the vaccine through special clinics.
Here are some answers to questions about the recent announcement.
What are the age brackets?
- March 1: Expands to the age group 55 to 64
- March 22: Expands to age group 45 to 54
- April 12: Expands to age group 35 to 44
- May 3: Expands to age group 16 to 34
These dates are when appointments can first be made.
Why was the decision made?
Lamont cited many questions state officials received about who qualifies as a front-line essential worker or someone with a pre-existing health condition. "KISS, keep it simple stupid," Lamont said, referring to the longtime business motto. "A lot of complications are the result from states that tried to finely slice the salami, and it got very complicated to administer."
Some questions with no easy answers included: Do office employees at grocery stores qualify as front-line workers? What about liquor store employees? Does the agricultural sector include landscapers and arborists? Why isn't my serious health condition like type 1 diabetes included on the list of qualifying conditions to receive the vaccine? What if I don't have a doctor to certify I have a pre-existing condition?
"In our own experience we found the close correlation between age and risk, age and comorbidities, and age and fatalities," Lamont said. Around 96 percent of all coronavirus fatalities in Connecticut are people over the age of 55.
What about children under 16?
Current U.S. Food and Drug Administration emergency use authorizations only apply to people 16 and older. Studies are being done on vaccines in children. Dr. Anthony Fauci said it was possible that children as young as those in the first grade could be vaccinated by September if trials run smoothly, according to ProPublica.
How does it differ from CDC guidelines?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that front-line essential workers and people 75 years old and older be part of phase 1b. People between 65 and 74, people 16 and over with underlying medical conditions and other essential workers are designated as part of 1C under the CDC's guidelines. Connecticut followed the CDC's 1a guidelines for frontline health care workers and long-term care residents and staff and partly stuck with CDC guidelines by allowing people over the age of 75 to join the 1b group. Connecticut's first major break with guidelines came when the state began vaccinating people between 65 and 74 before frontline essential workers and a further break by moving to an age bracket system. Ultimately, state authorities get to decide how to run the vaccine rollout.
How will vaccinations work for teachers and school staff?
The hope is that all teachers and other qualified school staff will get their first vaccine dose within a month, Lamont said. Qualified people include janitors, paraprofessionals and others whose duties are in-person at a school. Child care provider employees also qualify. State officials will work with superintendents and local health departments to set up dedicated clinics, state Chief Operating Officer Josh Geballe said. Teachers and other qualified staff should expect to hear from their superintendents about the program soon.
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More Vaccine Doses, And A New Brand, Coming To CT: Lamont
Pending authorization by the FDA, Connecticut could receive 30,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine this weekend.
Posted Thu, Feb 25, 2021 at 1:50 pm ET
CONNECTICUT — A lot more doses of coronavirus vaccine, many with a new brand name on the label, will be available in Connecticut next week, according to Gov. Ned Lamont.
Pending authorization by the US Food and Drug Administration, the state will receive 30,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The state Department of Public Health could accept delivery as early as this weekend.
Another 100,000 doses of the Moderna and Pfizer medicines are already in the pipeline for delivery next week. On Twitter, Lamont said the unprecedented influx of vaccines was "big news in our efforts to speed up distribution." Previously, the governor had blamed the slow rollout of the medicine on the scarcity of the new vaccine.
To read the rest of this article, click the blue button below.
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FOR INFORMATION ON COVID-19 VACCINES FOR THOSE IN CT OVER AGE 65 AND UPCOMING AGE 55+, CLICK THE BLUE BUTTONS BELOW
COVID-19 Vaccine in Connecticut:
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
NOW SCHEDULING
Individuals 65 and older
Healthcare Personnel
Long-Term Care Facility Residents
Medical First Responders
Next Groups (can schedule beginning on the dates below)
- March 1: Expands to the age group 55 to 64 and on-site educators and childcare providers
- March 22: Expands to age group 45 to 54
- April 12: Expands to age group 35 to 44
- May 3: Expands to age group 16 to 34
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People with questions about the vaccination process can call the Trumbull Senior Center at 203-452-5199.
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From the Trumbull/Monroe/Easton/Redding Daily Voice
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COVID-19: CT Hospitalizations Under 500; Here's Latest Breakdown By County, Community
02/24/2021 5:10 p.m.
The number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized in Connecticut hospitals has dropped to below 500 for the first time since the holiday season.
Sixteen COVID-19 patients were discharged from Connecticut hospitals in the past 24 hours, according to the latest update from Gov. Ned Lamont, leaving 495 still being treated for the virus.
Lamont said that on Tuesday, Feb. 23, there were 47,512 COVID-19 tests administered in Connecticut, resulting in 1,493 positive cases for a 3.14 percent positivity rate, down from 3.92 the day before.
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To read the rest of the Daily Voice Article, click the blue button below.
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People's United Bank Sold For $7.6 Billion
02/22/2021 3:34 p.m.
People’s United Financial Inc. and all of its stock is being sold for $7.6 billion to M&T Bank Corp.
All together, M&T plus People’s, there will be 1,100 branches and more than 2,000 ATMs across 12 states, M&T said in an announcement. The combined banks have $200 billion in assets.
The purchase-and-sale agreement was entered into on Friday, Feb. 19, and the acquisition is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2021.
People’s United’s headquarters in Bridgeport, Connecticut, will become the New England regional headquarters for M&T.
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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Caroline House Spring Outdoor Brunch
Caroline House Mission:
To enable women and children to reach the fullness of their potential
through education in English language and life skills
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FCCF's GIVING DAY is on February 25th
Your donation will help us meet the needs of our neighbors in the Bridgeport community!
Another way to help us on Giving Day is to like, share and repost our social media posts on both Instagram and Facebook on Thursday, 2/25/21. These actions allow our posts to be more visible to others.
Thank you for your support of The Council!
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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
If our lives feel like a home badly in need of renovation or a “model home” without a living soul underneath, invite Jesus to a house-warming party. Wherever Jesus goes and is invited to stay, demons are evicted, suffocating spaces breathe, and the plastic comes off the sofa. When the servants of Beelzebul see the lights on and hear the music, they’ll know that the kingdom of God has come to that life, that soul, that community, and made it a home for the Holy Spirit.
-Br. Keith Nelson, 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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