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Daily Message from St. Edward’s – April 28, 2020

Michelle Bentley

Dear parishioners,

Lots of things are happening at St. Edward’s.  We still have the baskets outside the front doors with directories, annual reports, and Forward Movement books for anyone who wants to stop by to get copies.  Today, Father Rick met with some Praise Band members, and in an environment of safety following social distancing protocols, reorganized the Praise Band area, hung the lovely banner that normally is in that wall space, and recorded some wonderful music that you will be hearing in upcoming services.  We continue with our renovation projects, as well.

Some of you may have noticed the Community Aid bin at the end of our parking lot looks horrible (it does!) with bags and such.  It appears people decided in their zest to clean during this time of “stay at home” to drop off their unwanted belongings at the bin, not realizing that as with all non-essential businesses, Community Aid pick-up service was not operating.  We received a letter last week informing us that they have been granted their waiver to start picking up the bins and cleaning up, but as you can imagine, there are probably many bins like this, so it will take a week or two to rectify.  Please do not bring anything to the bins until mid-to-end of May.

Readers:  I have spoken to Carol Cotnoir and I am working with her to arrange readers from 10:15 schedule; servers from 10:15; readers/LEMs from 8 AM to read in the upcoming Sunday’s in May.  There are 4 parts for each Sunday, so plenty for everyone to share and we are seeking anyone in these reader/server groups who is comfortable with getting on Zoom to participate!  I will send the readings on Tuesday’s along with a link to a “Zoom meeting” scheduled for Thursday’s at a time convenient to you.  I will host the “meeting” where I will record you doing the reading.  This way, the hassle of you doing your own recording and getting the video/audio file to St. Edward’s is eliminated!  If you would like to be put in this roster please let the office know.  I start with the schedule Carol has created and fill in with Psalm readers and Prayers of the People readers.  We would love to see you in our online service!

Michelle

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From Arch and Dolly Cross is this wonderful video they shared with us from her cousin’s family of the College Church in Wheaton (Chicagoland) Hallelujah Chorus.  It is great (and uplifting) to see how inventive houses of worship celebrate in the age of Covid19!  It will get you singing!!

 

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I leave you with a communication from The Episcopal Church about:

Explore the Way of Love with new video series

[April 28, 2020] The Way of Love is a way of life. More than a program or curriculum, it is an intentional commitment to follow Jesus by following seven practices: Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, Go, Rest. Episcopalians and others looking to engage the Way of Love and learn more about each of the individual practices are invited to Explore the Way of Love in a new series of short videos and accompanying primer cards from The Episcopal Church.

The videos and primer cards, available in English and Spanish, are downloadable for use in parishes and dioceses. Each of the three-to-four-minute videos feature an explanation of the practices of the Way of Love – Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, Go, and Rest.  Individuals, congregations, or small groups can view the videos as an introduction to each practice and use the printable primer cards to start building personalized rules of life. Explore the Way of Love can also be used for online instruction as well, and in conjunction with any of the Way of Love curricula. Supporting materials about the Way of Love are found at episcopalchurch.org/wayoflove.

“Our hope is that these short videos will be both versatile in use and inspiring in content,” says Jerusalem Greer, staff officer for evangelism, “Helping congregations dive deeper into each of the practices, while providing a compelling invitation to those new to the Way of Love.”

Explore the Way of Love is another of the many Way of Love resources available here for congregations and individuals who are interested in engaging more deeply with these practices, building and deepening a rule of life.

 

 

 

 

Daily Message from St. Edward’s – April 27, 2020

administrator

Dear parishioners,

What a wonderful service yesterday with Father Rick celebrating and preaching his first sermon for St. Edward’s! By all appearances, we attracted quite a Sunday “attendance” with over 217 views! And, we’re busy at St. Edward’s adding sound system improvements, courtesy of Father Rick; recording music for future services; and setting up Zoom sessions for readers so we can contact the reader, streamline the process, and add a level of comfort for readers to be able to focus on reading without having to record and upload their file to us. We are continuing to improve the rector’s study with some ceiling repairs and wall-to-wall carpet installation and in speaking with the renovation project manager today, there will start to be some “opening up” orders granted by Governor Wolf that will allow construction projects to get back on track so, hopefully we will be able to complete the kitchen during the month of May.

Again, if there are parishioners who feel safe, in the upcoming weeks, to do some scheduled and singular ministry at church there is a short list of projects that we could use your help with! Please contact the parish office if this is something you would be interested in so that we maintain all of the appropriate safety protocols.

Today, we offer you three items: A meditation; a personal note from a parishioner; and a little bit of a different “journey” in the form of a livestream from yesterday in celebration of the great American composer and lyricist, Stephen Sondheim’s 90th birthday. It is a bit long (about 2.5 hours), but a wonderful journey of musical theater, and it is fun to watch the inventive ways that our creative talents from music, theater, and all of the arts have embraced this new way to communicate and entertain us and lift our spirits, and all in the spirit of charity and raising money for so many of the causes to help support those in need as a result of the pandemic. For this event, the cause was: ASTEP (Artists Striving to End Poverty): http://www.broadway.com/sondheim90

We hope you enjoy as for many of us, you will remember many of these classic tunes.

Take Me to the World: A Sondheim 90th Birthday Celebration

—
Forward Day by Day Meditation for MONDAY, April 27, 2020 Zita of Tuscany
Matthew 3:1-3 In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his path straight.’”

Close your eyes for a minute and look at John the Baptist. A single dark fin cutting through the ocean of sand and scrub brush, sleepless eyes fixed on the horizon like a desert shark. Between bursts of angry shouting, he speaks about a messianic tide that will lift and carry us all to a loving shore together.

Truthfully, the Baptist is kind of frightening. There is something unearthly about him, as if there is a thin place in the world that only he can see through.

Look at Jesus standing beside John, listening. Can you see Jesus turn and look at each one of us, as if there is something inside of us that only he sees? In his eyes, we see hope and a straight path between his heart and ours, between our journey and his.

MOVING FORWARD: Jesus and John were cousins. Do you have a cousin who reminds you of John or Jesus? Reach out to this person today.

PRAY for the Diocese of Kobe (Japan)

PRAY for the Diocese of Kobe (Japan)

Ps 25 * 9, 15 | Exodus 18:13-27 | 1 Peter 5:1-14 | Matthew (1:1-17); 3:1-6

 

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A personal note form Mike and Sandy Patrone:

Hi everyone,

Sandy & I are doing fine. No activities here at St. Anne’s. Our Bistro is
for takeout only. We only go out for groceries. Wegmans has been our
go to place for toilet paper and wine ?. We walk everyday with a few
friends but it’s hard to talk when six feet apart. Keep the faith everyone.
This too shall pass, but when, only God knows. We have been following
services via internet.

Mike & Sandy Patrone

The Third Sunday of Easter – April 26, 2020

administrator

Join us for Sunday Worship!

Click here to download bulletin for the Third Sunday of Easter

Besides prayers, calls, cards and emails, there is one more thing you can do to support St. Edward’s during this time. Please keep up-to-date with your pledge or regular contribution. Even though we must keep our doors closed for a period of time, we also must continue to pay our fixed expenses such as electricity, insurance, and salaries. We will continue to pick up our mail, so you can easily mail your contributions to the office and we will see that they are properly credited.  We have also been blessed to discover that the diocese has set up online giving for each parish.  If you feel comfortable making your weekly giving or pledge donation in this manner (it is a secure giving tool), simply go to the diocesan web site, click on the tab up top and it will take you to a page where you can scroll down, find St. Edward’s, and continue with making your contribution!  Thank you for maintaining your faithfulness through your financial stewardship!

Click here if you would like to donate online through the diocesan portal. You will scroll down to find “St. Edward’s” under “Lancaster”. The portal is a secure giving site.

Daily Message from St. Edward’s – April 24, 2020

administrator

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

As I finish up my first week at work here in our parish office, I must say that I have been deeply moved and sincerely inspired by the ministry I’ve already seen at work in our midst. From the commitment of our staff and our lay leaders to maintain a rhythm of worship and connectivity, to the generosity of our congregation in welcoming Katrina, Ricky, Christian and I into the St. Edward’s family, I can truly see and feel the holy at work in this community.  I would particularly like to thank Beth Lynch, and all of those lending energy and funding to our social outreach group, who have helped to facilitate a $1000 donation to the Hempfield Area Food Pantry this week and a $600 gift for Tabor to help homeless citizens of Lancaster in need of immediate housing.

In addition to the $575 donated by Saint Edward’s parishioners in the month of March, I have learned that we will be able to give an additional $600+ in monetary donations to the HAFP here in the month of April.  Looking out for the most vulnerable among us, it warms my heart to recognize the deep Christian character motivating the other-oriented love at work here at St. Edward’s. I feel profoundly blessed to have been called to work alongside such a dedicated and generous group of Christian disciples.  As we continue to socially distance ourselves for the greater good, I pray that each and every one of you are able to find the Lord at work in new and unexpected ways in your lives.  These are strange days, but the Spirit is with us and all shall be well.  With humble appreciation,

Father Rick+

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ST. EDWARD’S MATERIAL FOR PICK UP:

We will put a table in the front doors outside entry tomorrow, Saturday, April 25th, AFTER 2 PM for those who would like to stop by and pick up our new St. Edward’s directory, a new Forward Day by Day, and/or a copy of the Annual Report.  If we run out, we will put a table out on Monday afternoon as well with replenished supplies!

 

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SATURDAY LATE AFTERNOON EMAIL/WEB POST FOR SUNDAY WORSHIP:

Look for our Sunday Service email that will have a direct link to the YouTube video and the service bulletin, as well as a link to our website post, which will also feature this worship offering.

 

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SUNDAY VIRTUAL COFFEE HOUR:

Consider joining the virtual coffee hour, hosted by Joe and Christina McLaughlin.  Here are the details:

Don’t forget to join Christina and Joe McLaughlin, hosting a weekly “Virtual Coffee Hour.”  This is all new to us, so take a chance, set up zoom and see how it all goes!  It will be fun to connect and whether you want to stay on for 5 minutes or the full session, grab your cup of coffee or tea, pull up a chair, and say hello to your fellow parishioners.

Here is a link of step-by-step instructions to set up zoom, that Christina put together.

https://sainteds.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/St-Eds-Coffee-Hour-Invite-and-How-To.pdf

And, if you have any questions, Christina has offered to please give her a call and she can help!  Her number is 717-415-7043.  DATE:  SUNDAY, APRIL 26th

TIME:  10 – 10:45 am

PLACE:  Wherever you are comfortable with your computer in your home environment!

WHAT TO BRING:  Your coffee and something interesting to share with others!

** The join code and passcode is in your Friday Daily message and will not be posted on the public website of Facebook.

 

Weekly Message from Bishop Scanlan – April 24, 2020

administrator

Dear Members of the Episcopal Church in Central PA,

As you know, Bishop Scanlan has said that it is unlikely that we will be able to meet in person before the end of May. However, in the video message below, the Bishop shares her thoughts on initial preparations towards reopening.

 

For COVID-19 resources and information, visit: https://diocesecpa.org/parish-news/coronavirus-facts-precautions-and-prayers/

In the Way of Love,

The Rt. Rev. Audrey C. Scanlan

XI Bishop

 

Daily Message from St. Edward’s – April 23, 2020

administrator

Dear parishioners,

As the weather starts to get warmer, and we are in a location where people can do ministry safely (albeit, singularly) Father Rick and I talked about several areas that, if people felt comfortable, and wanted to get out of the house, they could come by St. Edward’s to participate in some quiet and contemplative tasks.  Here is a short list (for now) that we were thinking of:

  • Sacristy could use a little cleaning, especially the new floor.
  • We are going to keep the bookcases that Father Rick did not want in rector’s study and move them over to the library area and swap out the short bookcases that are overflowing with books and flow the books into the taller bookcases and then repurpose those bookcases if there is a need (we could even swap out some of the older strange looking pieces in the Christian ed wing with these).  We have some nice sets now so we can get rid of some of the older cases.  And. . . we could even use 1-2 in the lounge area to store the Knit Wits supplies in an attractive way instead of in boxes behind the sofa.
  • Weed the Memorial Garden – Please check with Ginny Kloepping first by phone or email.
  • Plant the front urns with some nice spring flowers.  Please check with Nancy Oliver first.
  • Pick up weekly flowers from Stauffer Kissel Hill, on Tuesday’s to make 2 altar flower vases (no intricate arranging).
  • Read the Prayers of the People for Father Rick to record either Wednesday’s or Thursday’s for our virtual service.

We want people to be safe, arrive safely with proper protection, and schedule their visit so we only have one person here at any given time.  So, please contact the parish office and let us know.  It would be helpful to our parish community and we just thought that perhaps people were getting a little “cabin fever” and would like to participate in ministry.

—

A personal note from John Meyer:

Hi Everyone,

John Meyer here.   I am doing fine and wish everyone a Blessed Easter.   I go for walks most days and am fortunate to have a good supply of books to read.   If the weather cooperates soon I will be doing yard work.   My house is now very organized and I continue to do those household projects that used to be put off for another day.  Hopefully this virus will settle down and allow us to slowly return to what used to be our normal lives and I look forward to seeing my Saint Edward’s family at church.   Take care, be safe, and stay well.

—

Let’s go to Venice, Italy today:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peQMP-b0XqM

—

Forward Day by Day Meditation:

THURSDAY, April 23                           Toyohiko Kagawa

Romans 12:3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

From the Archives: February 12, 2014

I’m not much, but I’m all I think about.

So many decisions each day and most, if not all, of them are centered on self. Each of us has a set of scales constantly weighing the pros and cons of every behavior.

However, the instinct to protect self can run amok. Suddenly, protection of self becomes promotion of self. Erroneously, we fear no one else is going to speak up for us, so if we want to be heard or recognized, we better blow our own horn. Either that, or deep down, the way we see ourselves is so distorted that we seek to bolster our perception with self-service.

Seeing ourselves as right-sized can be a lifetime process for some. Finally settling in, we find it fits like nothing else.

MOVING FORWARD: If you were making a color wheel, what colors would love be? Happiness? Peace?

Read the contemporary reflection here.

PRAY for the Diocese of Kiteto (Tanzania)

Ps 18:1-20 * 18:21-50 | Exodus 16:10-22 | 1 Peter 2:11-25 | John 15:12-27

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daily Message from St. Edward’s – Earth Day, April 22, 2020

administrator

Dear parishioners,

Today is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.  We thought it only fitting to provide you with information from Episcopal News Service on how The Episcopal Church promotes good stewardship for God’s creation, even in this time of COVID19.  Some services of worship occurred this past Sunday (but may still be available to view) and there is a discussion tonight via zoom and Facebook live, which is highlighted.    There are many interesting links within this article that will allow you and your family to explore Earth Day, its history and other interesting and important facts, especially in this time of a health pandemic.  We only have one planet and if we can be good stewards, in any way possible, we can feel confident we are protecting what God has so generously given to us.

While we continue to “Stay at Home” during the pandemic, it is a good time to take the time to go outside and go for a walk, plant a flower, observe nature and the myriad of creatures we share our space with, take a deep breath and rejoice in the fact that we are all here, together, with our loved ones and we can look forward to the day where we will worship, again, in person, at St. Edward’s.

Be well. Be safe.  Keep the faith.

Michelle

 

How Episcopalians can celebrate the 50th Earth Day during a pandemic

[Episcopal News Service] For many Episcopalians, the COVID-19 pandemic is a reminder of the interconnected nature of humanity: our health depends on the health of those around us, and small-scale individual actions can ultimately have global consequences. While the pandemic is demanding the world’s immediate attention, another crisis is looming that requires a similar level of urgent global action: climate change.

That issue will take center stage as Episcopalians celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22. In 1970, the first Earth Day launched the modern environmental movement, with an estimated 20 million Americans demonstrating for environmental protection; today, it is said to be the largest secular observance in the world. Fifty years ago, primary concerns in the United States included pesticides, oil spills, toxic waste dumps and other agricultural and industrial pollution. While many of these problems have been ameliorated since then by the Environmental Protection Agency (created that same year), the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act, the greenhouse effect caused by carbon emissions has emerged as the most dire threat to the environment and to the future of the human race.

“It’s strange and fitting that we’re marking the 50th Earth Day during a global pandemic,” said the Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers, canon to the presiding bishop for evangelism, reconciliation and stewardship of creation.

“COVID-19 has forced us to acknowledge the web of life that connects us and all of creation. We are – for better and for worse – in this together. I pray we will really look around on Earth Day, notice the presence of God in the trees that keep on blooming, the birds whose song you can now hear, the waters you long to visit as soon as we can move freely. Notice, be grateful and swear to protect and honor all that God has made. In the process, we are also saving our own lives,” Spellers told Episcopal News Service.

While it may seem counterintuitive to focus on climate change amid the COVID-19 emergency, the two issues are inextricably linked. Climate change compounds the problems that lead to disease outbreaks and that limit effective responses. And a Harvard University study has found that even a small increase in long-term exposure to air pollution (which disproportionately affects African Americans) significantly increased patients’ risk of dying from COVID-19. At the same time, within the past few weeks, the Trump administration has been rolling back regulations on air pollution and ignoring its own public health experts’ recommendations on protecting citizens from industrial emissions.

The Episcopal Church has long been engaged in climate action and other environmental stewardship efforts (like protecting the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and fighting against the Dakota Access Pipeline) under the theological mandate of being good stewards of God’s creation. So, although it won’t be possible to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day by holding rallies, the church invites Episcopalians to participate in other ways.

Washington National Cathedral will hold two virtual worship services on Sunday, April 19. A Holy Eucharist service at 11:15 a.m. EDT will feature a sermon from the Rev. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas, creation care missioner for the Diocese of Western Massachusetts. Then, at 2 p.m. EDT, the National Cathedral will hold a multifaith Earth Day service focused on climate action with prayer, song and a message from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. Episcopalians can also participate in the interfaith Nationwide Climate Prayer. Other Earth Day services and events across the church can be found at TryTank’s Digital Church Guide.

The National Cathedral and the presiding bishop’s office will also co-host a discussion on creation care and environmental justice via Zoom and Facebook Live at 8 p.m. EDT on Earth Day, April 22, with church leaders including Spellers, Bullitt-Jonas and Bishop David Rice of the Diocese of San Joaquin. More Earth Day resources for congregations are available from the Episcopal Church Foundation. The presiding bishop’s office also invites Episcopalians to share their prayers for the natural world and their Earth Day experiences – how they’re taking action to protect the environment, where they see life and hope in creation – on social media.

Another way Episcopalians can observe Earth Day while confined at home is to use the Carbon Tracker developed by the Diocese of California. The concept has been generating churchwide buzz since the diocese launched an early prototype of the tracker in July 2018 during the 79th General Convention in Austin, Texas. Since then, web developers have continued to refine the tool while inviting more Episcopalians to test it out. The tool can track participants’ carbon emissions from all of the church’s 110 dioceses and regional areas. The Diocese of California has organized webinars to help people navigate the tool, and as of this month, it reported 1,350 participating households.

Stephanie Taylor, the diocese’s communication director, said a key challenge going forward will be to broaden the pool of participants beyond those who already had been taking personal steps to curb climate change.

So far, “it’s a lot of enthusiasm from people who are generally more plugged in to the environment, to care of creation, stewardship of creation,” Taylor told Episcopal News Service in an interview last month. Likewise, the West Coast is overrepresented in the early results. The Diocese of California has the most participating households, with 402, followed by Los Angeles with 180 and Olympia in Washington with 154.

“The next step is going to be getting it out to the mainstream,” Taylor said. Diocesan officials are making the case to Episcopalians across the church that even simple actions to improve the environment and preserve God’s creation can be meaningful.

“Small, tiny actions do matter,” Taylor said, and adding those actions to the tracker can place individual work in the context of the collective impact. “When you take those actions collectively with other Episcopalians … the numbers start to add up.”

Egan Millard is an assistant editor and reporter for Episcopal News Service. He can be reached at [email protected]. David Paulsen, editor and reporter for Episcopal News Service, contributed to this report. He can be reached at [email protected].

 

Daily Message from St. Edward’s – April 21, 2020

administrator

Dear parishioners,

Today, we send to you a meditation from Presiding Bishop Curry; a personal note from one of our parishioners; and a virtual tour to provide a little “escape.”  Enjoy your evening.  Be safe.  Be well. Keep the faith.

Michelle

 

Habits of Grace, April 20, 2020: An invitation for you, from Presiding Bishop Curry

As we learn how to adjust our lives given the reality of the coronavirus and the request to do our part to slow its spread by practicing social distancing, I invite you to join me each week to take a moment to cultivate a ‘habit of grace.’ A new meditation will be posted on Mondays through May. These meditations can be watched at any time by clicking here.

 

God Hears Our Prayers

The late professor Walter Wink, in one of his books, says that “History belongs to the intercessors who believe and pray a new future into being.” None of us know the mystery of prayer and how it works. I don’t know the intricacies of prayer’s mysteries. What I do know and believe, is that prayer makes a difference. It’s not a magic foot. It’s not a way to… It’s not a form of wish fulfillment, but it is a way of bringing our deepest needs and concerns and our very life into our consciousness and into the very presence of God.

There’s an interesting story in the eighth chapter of the Book of Revelation, just a few of the verses, where you have this swirling of events happening in history and a world in chaos and the text says, “There was silence in heaven for half an hour.” Walter Wink and others looking at that say that in its highly symbolic language, the Book of Revelation may be trying to tell us that even in the midst of all the chaos of the world, the prayers of God’s people actually make a difference. Because if you look at that small section of the first few chapters of chapter eight in Revelation, during that silence of heaven, it says that the prayers of the saints are mingled with the incense before the throne of God and that those prayers are taken right to God. God hears our prayers. God responds in God’s way and we respond.

Prayer matters. It’s not magic, but it makes a difference. There’s a prayer in the prayer book that I thought you might like. It’s a prayer for in times of sickness, for use by the sick person, but maybe it’s a prayer that can apply to us all.

This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever shall be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. If I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words and give me the spirit of Jesus.

What a friend we have in Jesus. All our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer. God love you. God bless you and may God hold you and this whole world, the entire human family and the whole of creation in those almighty hands of love.

—

A personal note from Mike Freshwater:

I found this quarantine period to be quite interesting. When I’m not in Lititz helping Deann with her home projects, I have found plenty to do here around my house. I’ve done some light yardwork, some painting in the house and, for the last couple of days,  I’ve been assembling a photo album for 2019. I know I’m a little late getting that finished. FaceTime with my daughters and grandchildren has been the highlight of every day.

Mike Freshwater

—

Go to the Swiss Alps:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCPdIvXo2rU

 

 

 

 

 

Daily Message from St. Edward’s – April 20, 2020

administrator

Dear parishioners,

Well, it is Monday, April 20th!  Just in case anybody is starting to lose track of the days.  As my husband said yesterday, “Today, is whatever day it is today.”  We hope you enjoyed the service yesterday with Father David’s final sermon.  In case you missed it, here is the link to the service:

https://sainteds.org/second-sunday-of-easter-april-19-2020/

Communicating how and where to find the service is a work-in-progress and going forward, we will be posting the link to a corresponding post on the website in the Daily Message on Friday that will include the service that you can just click on, the bulletin you can download and any stewardship messaging for the week.

We will start to make changes this week with the web site now that Father Rick is on board!  And there is a lot of planning to do throughout these ensuing months so that we are prepared and ready to open St. Edward’s back up again, when the Bishop advises us accordingly.

In the meantime, we will stay connected in new and innovative ways so that our community of faith stays engaged.

Thank you to all who have engaged in the many ministries that keep us connected and to being faithful with your pledging and giving.

Michelle

—

READERS:  If you are a reader, or a server who has been a reader and is willing and able to read via technology and send the video file to the parish office, please let us know.  We have our reader roster compiled by Carol Cotnoir and we would be so pleased to have as many people who feel confident, to participate as readers over the next many Sunday’s.  I will also send emails to ask people.  I typically send the readings by Tuesday and request the files by Thursday to give Father Rick time to put together.  This is a great ministry, in person, but even more important virtually as it enables us to connect with each other.  We hope many of our readers will say “yes” to reading in this new format.

DONATIONS:  The Food Pantry is in great need of continued monetary donations.  We have sent them a check for $1,575 and through continued parishioner donations, we should be sending them another check in the upcoming week for an additional $300 – $400.

RECTOR’S STUDY:  We are installing a much-needed wall-to-wall carpet in the rector’s study, a space that was updated and restored over the past year with the last remaining item to be replaced – the carpet.  This is not a budgeted item but is a necessary facility improvement.  To that end, we are accepting monetary donations to help deflect the cost of the carpet. Please prayerfully consider donating to this building renovation project.  Make your checks payable to St. Edward’s and write in the memo line “rector’s study carpet.”

I leave you with 3 things to enjoy:  A meditation, a virtual tour, and a learning resource to the Getty Virtual Library which is a fascinating resource of books to download and read for free; resources for K-12 students – Online games, videos, and activities; a beautiful virtual gallery of exhibitions, books, videos.

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Forward Day by Day Meditation for April 20, 2020

John 14:12 Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.

If I could—and what a leap of faith—I would see sherbet in the sky and children running along the edge of their lives carrying bowls and spoons to taste heaven’s sweet love, sand kicking up behind their heels like exclamation marks.

Love would have no borders. I would look at all people and see a light that darkness cannot extinguish. I would feel Africa’s waves on America’s shore.

I hear a whippoorwill now, singing its own name into the twilight. A dream kicks the wall of a womb. The sky bends, and I feel pregnant with my God-given possibilities. A herd of zebra lopes past me, through the foothills of Virginia. Jesus…it’s true. We are one in God’s love.

MOVING FORWARD: What would reconciliation look like in your own community? How are you participating in this holy work?

PRAY for the Diocese of Kirinyaga (Kenya)

Ps 1,2,3, * 4,7 | Exodus 14:21-31 | 1 Peter 1:1-12 | John 14:(1-7)8-17

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A Virtual Tour: Today, we take you to BEAUTIFUL SCOTLAND (Highlands / Isle of Skye)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sb6WlQiaJeM

—

Getty Virtual Library:

http://www.getty.edu/publications/virtuallibrary/index.html

 

 

 

 

Second Sunday of Easter – April 19, 2020

administrator

Join us for our Sunday Service

Click here to download/view the Sunday bulletin

Besides prayers, calls, cards and emails, there is one more thing you can do to support St. Edward’s during this time. Please keep up-to-date with your pledge or regular contribution. Even though we must keep our doors closed for a period of time, we also must continue to pay our fixed expenses such as electricity, insurance, and salaries. We will continue to pick up our mail, so you can easily mail your contributions to the office and we will see that they are properly credited.  We have also been blessed to discover that the diocese has set up online giving for each parish.  If you feel comfortable making your weekly giving or pledge donation in this manner (it is a secure giving tool), simply go to the diocesan web site, click on the tab up top and it will take you to a page where you can scroll down, find St. Edward’s, and continue with making your contribution!  Thank you for maintaining your faithfulness through your financial stewardship!

David +