Dear Friends in Christ:

I just wanted to send you an update this week of where we are, and also provide a couple links for resources.

TANGIBLE THINGS

As I keep mentioning, we have seen the expected increase of folks knocking on the door and asking if we have food. While the situations vary (some are homeless, some suddenly have four grandchildren living with them, some are waiting for unemployment to kick in), the need is the same: FOOD.

Many of our parishioners have been bringing food to the church, and I am so very grateful for that. If you find yourself able to do so, the main things are soup, tuna, pasta, pasta sauce, paper products, and so forth. Please do not bring peas, corn, or green beans, as we have plenty.

STREAMING SERVICES

I know many people are understandably wary of Facebook, but they do offer the easiest and cheapest way to live-stream our services. I have figured out a way to get internet in the sanctuary by running a cat-6 cable out Candy's window and in through the Annunciation window to a router on the floor. (I've learned a lot of technology this week.) This should enable me to send a horizontal stream. In addition, I'm working on how to get a link to the stream on our WEBSITE, but so far that is beyond my skill set. As always, as soon as I can get to it, the videos are then uploaded to our youtube channel, which is located HERE.

MORNING PRAYER 3-29-20

This Sunday, March 29th, I will again be streaming Morning Prayer on our FACEBOOK page. You can find the order of service HERE, and the hymns HERE. If you do not have a Book of Common Prayer at home, you can find it online HERE.. And, as a reminder, you do not need a priest to do Morning Prayer. This lovely service is a great way to start your day any day of the week. You can find lots of helpful resources HERE.

HOLY WEEK

If you're on our mailing list, you should be receiving a letter in the mail in the next day or so with mention of another mailing next week. Candy and I are currently working to put all the resources together for that mailing. But it will include a palm frond or two, a worship booklet to carry you through Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday, instructions for setting up your own "altar" at home, and some general thoughts about observing each day. Those should arrive to you by the end of next week. If you're not on our mailing list, please call the office at 330.833-3183.

ODDS AND ENDS

This coming Saturday, the Independent is supposed to publish a piece about our own, Fr. Wallace Probasco, who died of smallpox in 1877 while Rector of our parish. I recently moved his portrait into my office so that I would remember to ask him to pray for us. (Yes, Episcopalians ask for the prayers of the departed--and I can think of no one more appropriate to ask for prayer at this time.)

We have a team of phone-tree callers still checking in on folks to make sure they have what they need. And, again, I ask all of you to check in on your friends and neighbors, especially older folks. Make sure people have food, medications, toiletries, and pet food.

This time is difficult, but this time will pass. That is an idea that is at the heart of our faith: Though we will have trouble, we do not need to be afraid, because God is with us.

In the words of Dame Julian of Norwich, quoting Jesus, All shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.

Until that day, we have each other, and we have the promise that we are not alone in this valley. God walks beside us, and we walk with each other.

Love to you all,

Fr. George