Friday, March 24, 2020
All Christians Invited to Pray at Noon on Wednesday, March 25th
Join Presiding Bishop Curry on Livestream or Facebook Live to pray the Lord’s Prayer at noon ET
In response to a call from both Pope Francis and Archbishop Justin Welby, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will be praying the Lord’s Prayer (via Livestream and Facebook Live) Wednesday, March 25, at noon Eastern Time. He invites you to join with Christians around the world to offer this prayer in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
 
To join Bishop Curry live, Wednesday, March 25, at noon Eastern Time, click here:
Livestream  (click “Get notified” to receive a notification/reminder)
 
Links to invitations:

On the web:
Ways to Stay Virtually Connected

Along with our YouTube live streaming options on Sundays at 10:00 and Wednesdays at 9:00 (see our YouTube channel and hit subscribe, if you haven’t already!), our clergy are joining with other SE Region clergy to offer daily prayer via Zoom. If you click the following link, https://www.ststeves.org/worship-online/ you will see where you can click and join the Zoom call (“Join Zoom”), via St. Stephen’s in East Haddam. If you are not familiar with Zoom, it is very simple once you download the app to your mobile device or computer, and costs nothing. You can also dial in using your phone. The current Schedule is just emerging and may change as more clergy sign on, but is presently:

Tuesday
8am Morning Prayer
  The Rev. Adam Yates
12pm Noonday Prayer
  The Rev. Adam Yates

Thursday
8am Morning Prayer
  The Rev. Benjamin Straley
12pm Noonday Prayer
  The Rev. Adam Yates
9:00 Families and 10:00 Formation Hour: Further Virtual Offerings
Watch the e-blasts in the coming days for updates on Christian Education for Sunday School youth and our Adult Formation hour as we explore ways to use Zoom. Becky Honan will also be providing YouTube links to videos for children and teens to watch that correspond with the Sunday readings and what would normally be offered in person.
An Act of Spiritual Communion

Though our longing for Christ in the Sacrament of Holy Communion is heightened in this time in which public worship has been suspended, The Book of Common Prayer reminds us that “If a person desires to receive the Sacrament, but, by reason of extreme sickness or physical disability, is unable to eat and drink the Bread and Wine, the Celebrant is to assure that person that all the benefits of Communion are received, even though the Sacrament is not received with the mouth.” (BCP, p, 457) Forward Movement has provided a PDF of an Act of Spiritual Communion, included as a link below, which we commend to your use when at home, especially when watching the Live Stream Eucharists in the coming weeks. https://news.forwardmovement.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Spiritual-Communion.pdf
Maundy Thursday Watch with the Reserved Sacrament

We are still trying to figure out what Holy Week will look like and ways to observe parts of it in our homes, in addition to Live Streaming from the parish. One way to keep the Vigil may be to Live Stream from in front of it, with those parishioners who have signed up simply opening up YouTube at that time and praying their devotional prayers from home. If you would still like to sign up for a one hour slot, call Allison Fresher, 860-463-6965, or email her at [email protected] . 
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry posted his second Monday meditation video, along with text from the Episcopal Church's e-newsletter, during this time of coronavirus. It's entitled "Habits of Grace."
There have been several folks who have reached out asking what can be done to help in this time. While we are still working out what can be done regarding Soup Kitchen and those who are food insecure, one need that has presented a solution for those who are skilled sewers is the need for masks by health care providers. Though made from cotton, they can go over a nurse’s disposable mask or alone. Please see this link for print out instructions and the pattern. https:www.instructables.com/id/AB-Mask-for-a-nurse-by-a-Nurse/ In terms of drop off, the best solution is to call a Middlesex Health location, or see this link from Hartford Hospital regarding donations of gloves, masks, and gowns. https://hartfordhealthcare.org/health-wellness/coronavirus/ppe-donations
During this time while we are apart physically, please remember to keep your 2020 pledges up to date by mailing them into the office. We are regularly checking mail and ensuring that our bills are being paid. In advance we thank you for your generosity.
Remember to Pray and Stay Connected!
Please continue to keep in your prayers all who are affected in any way by COVID-19—all those who are in danger of losing jobs, all whose health is at risk by the jobs they must do, all who are sick or live in fear, all who are isolated and lonely, all who are without safe lodging, all who are without food, those who are most vulnerable, those who must make difficult decisions for the safety of us all. Many of us have some extra time on our hands. How about reaching out in love and in prayer? 

We have volunteers who have offered to grocery shop and drop items at your door. If you are in need of assistance with groceries, please contact Linda+ at 860-559-5070 or Fr. Benjamin at 614-561-8913. Remember we are all here to help each other!