The Week of June 14, 2020
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Going Red for the Foreseeable Future
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Red is one of the liturgical colors used by the Church in its Eucharistic celebrations, and for certain Holy Days. It symbolizes "much love" as in the loving sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. We remember this sacrifice during Holy Week; and we remember the gift of love, that comes to us via the Holy Spirit, on Pentecost. After Pentecost, the following Sunday, Trinity Sunday, we go back to White for one Sunday, and then we enter what the Church calls "Ordinary Time," the Sundays after Pentecost, and Green becomes the normal liturgical color, symbolizing the green earth. Green remains the usual liturgical color until we enter the season of Advent, when Purple or Blue are used.
Given the reality of the Covid19 pandemic sweeping across America, and the racial tensions all across the land since the killing by police of George Floyd, in Minneapolis, I believe these are not ordinary times. "Black Lives Matter" is a slogan I hope we can all begin to comprehend, as it is ultimately about loving our neighbor, regardless of race or ethnicity, in a manner in which racism is kept in check, and disregard for certain segments of our population is no longer tolerated.
We're in a time where much healing love is needed; indeed we are in
extraordinarytimes
, and so Red will remain the liturgical color for the foreseeable future. When you see your clergy at Saint John's wearing Red, inplace of Green, think love. This is a time for us all to embrace one another in love, and be bound by the power of that love, in the Holy Spirit, on multiple levels. Let's share the Love!
Blessings and Grace,
Fr. Wilfredo+
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All group activities at St. John's remain canceled until further notice, including outside groups and ministries using our facilities.
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Here are some tips for viewing the service online
this coming Sunday morning:
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St. John's continues to broadcast services online each week on our website, Facebook and now YouTube.
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Contemplative Practices and Centering Prayer
with Fr. Wilfredo
Friday, June 12 at 10:00 AM
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Join us Friday mornings for Centering Prayer/Meditation, video presentations, and discussions on contemplative practices. Learn how to move beyond dualistic thinking into the greater mystery of God. This series will run through the month of June, every Friday at 10:00AM.
Be still and know that I am God.
Psalm 46:10
Topic: Contemplative Prayer Practice
Time: June 12, 2020 10:00 AM
Every week on Friday, until Jul 10, 2020
Meeting ID: 832 1570 3776
Password: 235245
Dial by your location: +1 646 558 8656
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Click on the image above to enlarge
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Children & Teen Video Chat
Sundays at 10 AM!
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This Sunday at 10:00 AM
Join Zoom Meeting:
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Further Resources for our Children and Youth
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Resources for kids - Yoga at home!
Rev. Gena Davis is the priest who led the yoga mass at St. John’s. She’s been offering online classes, including a new yoga nidra for kids age 2-12 for $5/family! For all class details, please e-mail her at
Thank you for sharing these Mattie!
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The St, John's Women's Group will be having their next meeting on
Wednesday, June 17th at 6 pm, via Zoom.
Please reach out to
Olive Grant
for the Zoom login information. We hope to see you there!
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First Fruits:
The Vegetable Garden
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Our Saint Francis Garden is showing signs of new life. Raquel Ibanez has been busy planting, and we're beginning to see new growth. This garden produces vegetables that are donated to local Food Banks. In the midst of Covid19 lockdowns, it is a gift to see the fruit of the earth. God's blessings be upon this garden, those who will benefit from it's yield, and those who take the time to make it happen. - Fr. Wilfredo
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I thought we were not going to be able to plant a vegetable garden this year for those that are in need, due to our present Covid situation. God stepped in and sent us two volunteers . We are so grateful to both of them.
On behalf of the St. John’s Garden Committee: John, Chris, Peter, Vincent and Sandra. I would like to thank Dante and his wife Racquel, for volunteering and planting this year’s vegetable garden for the Foodbank.
Our committee appreciated it very much. Here are photos of our newly planted vegetable
garden; and thank you Dante for the upkeep of the meditation garden as well. It is looking fantastic!
God bless you and your family!!
Yours In Christ
Olive - Chairperson of Garden Committee
Click on any image below to enlarge
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Prayers for our parishioners
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Dear Parishioners,
UPDATE
We delivered 16 lbs of produce and canned goods to the Food Bank this week. Our year-to-date total is 597 lbs, quite impressive considering the quarantine Good job everybody
!
The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield remains in desperate need for donations.
Please continue to help in any way you can.
I will personally come to your house or a mutual destination to keep their shelves filled.
Thank you
Sunny Stearns
203-249-0393
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A visitor, Mrs. Rhoda Kramer, stopped by the church on Wednesday, and I just happened to be there. She is one of our neighbors from Canterbury Green. Her husband, Mr. Hy Kramer, passed away two years ago. They were married 70 years! She offered to donate her Husband's American flag to the church. The flag was given to her at his burial by the U.S. Military. Her husband was a World War II veteran who fought and was wounded in Iwo Jima. Flag Day is coming up
this Sunday
, and she thought the church could perhaps use the flag? I showed her our small shrine to Veterans, and told her it would be displayed there for all to see. She is 95 years old, and going strong. God's peace be upon the soul of Mr. Hy Kramer, her late husband, and may grace uphold Mrs. Rhoda Kramer as she continues her earthly pilgrimage.
Blessings,
Fr. Wilfredo
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Medicaid Coverage for Uninsured During COVID-19
Public Health Emergency
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NEW! Department of Social Services preparing Medicaid coverage for uninsured during COVID-19 public health emergency
The Connecticut Department of Social Services will provide
COVID-19 testing coverage for uninsured children and adults in the HUSKY Health program
as part of the state's response to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
This will include:
- Medicaid for the Uninsured/COVID-19: Uninsured state residents of any income level may be eligible for free Medicaid coverage of COVID-19 testing and testing-related provider visits. This new federally-funded Medicaid coverage group will cover both citizens and qualifying non-citizens for testing and testing-related provider visits incurred between March 18, 2020 and the end of the public health emergency. HUSKY Health providers are advised to retain records regarding COVID-19 testing and testing-related provider visits for eligible individuals, starting March 18 and through the duration of the public health emergency, for purposes of Medicaid reimbursement. The Department of Social Services expects to issue more detailed guidance on this new coverage group, including processes for enrollment and claiming, by mid-May. At that point, individuals who received care on or after March 18 and were eligible for coverage at the time services were provided will be able to receive retroactive coverage.
- Emergency Medicaid for Non-Citizens/COVID-19: Connecticut residents who meet financial eligibility requirements but do not qualify for full Medicaid due to their immigration status, including undocumented individuals, are eligible to receive Medicaid to treat an emergency medical condition. COVID-19 testing and testing-related provider visits are emergency visits that will be covered by Emergency Medicaid. Emergency Medicaid is not a factor in federal immigration 'public charge' determinations. The Department of Social Services expects to issue more detailed guidance, including processes for enrollment and claiming for testing and testing-related services, by mid-May. At that point, individuals who received care within the prior three months and were eligible for coverage at the time services were provided will be able to receive retroactive coverage. HUSKY Health providers are advised that coverage for hospitalization will be handled through existing processes for Emergency Medicaid coverage.
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A Prayer in a Time of Coronavirus
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Click on the banner below to read the prayer
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Dear Parish Family:
Faced with the unfortunate circumstances of having to keep our church closed, in order to help curb the spread of Covid-19, it is imperative that your pledge be either mailed to the church, or better yet, that you
make your donations electronically
. Please see the instructions below on how to do this.
Our expenses won’t go away even if we’re not having live worship, so I ask that we all be mindful of this. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Ms. Kathy McBride, our Parish Administrator. Our vestry, and parish family, will be much appreciative for your efforts.
God’s Grace and Peace,
Fr. Wilfredo+
NOTE:
You can simply mail in your check to the church office if you would rather not use the online giving tool. Our Parish Administrator, Kathy McBride, is receiving the mail and doing the banking as usual.
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Tuesday Bible Study: Gospel of Matthew
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Join Fr. Sandy on Tuesdays at 2pm online via Zoom for a Bible Study on the Gospel of Matthew. Below is the info:
Meeting ID: 243 991 8700
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Comforting Music For Challenging Times
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Have You Seen These Services?
Click on any of the images below to watch and listen
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NOTE: The Community Thrift Shop is closed to the public until further notice due to COVID 19.
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All group activity at St. John's is cancelled until further notice including outside groups and ministries using our facilities.
Stay updated with meditations, readings, music and sermons by visiting our
Facebook page
or our
website
.
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St. John's Office Hours
The Church office is currently closed to public access.
However you may leave a message at 203-348-2619 x10 -
our Parish Administrator, Kathy McBride is checking the messages
many times a day and will respond right away!
Prayer List
Please send all prayer list requests for the bulletin to the Parish Administrator, Kathy McBride, at
[email protected]
.
FORWARD DAY BY DAY
This is the Episcopal Church's own discipleship publication! As disciples, followers of Christ, daily prayer and reflection grounds us in God's love and gives us strength and clarity to confront our weaknesses, put our trust in God and listen to where God is calling us to serve.
Available online
for-free!
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