St. Edward’s Weekly Email: March 13, 2020 – March 20, 2020 & Bishop’s Message Regarding COVID19 Church Closings

Dear Parishioners,

Stories of COVID-19 and the coronavirus are filling the news and the potential dangers are causing a lot of anxiety. In brief, here is what we want you to know as it relates to our common life at St. Edward’s:

Bishop Audrey has consulted with medical experts and has just issued a NEW set of guidelines for congregations. We are now following those guidelines and it is VERY IMPORTANT that you read them carefully.  Please read the Bishop’s letter below. 

When you consume news about the outbreak, please be sure to use reliable sources such as the website of the U.S. Centers For Disease Control (CDC) at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html or the Pennsylvania Dept of Health at https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx. Especially beware of rumors or stories posted on social media or forwarded via email as many of these stories are not accurate.

Finally, we encourage you to follow the advice of the CDC, which recommends that you avoid unnecessary trips and large gatherings (such as church) if you have a chronic illness or if your immune system is not strong. We have plenty of people at St. Edward’s in this group! Although we will temporarily miss your presence, we want you to be safe. This outbreak will not last forever and we will eventually be able return to normal. And be sure to let us know if you need pastoral care or attention due to spending time at home.

We have also added some protocols that address our life at St. Edward’s for the immediate future and they are listed just below my message.

David +

We will be having 8:00 am and 10:15 am services this Sunday.  We will have services only, no coffee hours, adult forum, or Sunday School. And will close the church immediately following the 10:15 am service.

COVID19 Update for St. Edward’s:

Please utilize the St. Edward’s website and Facebook page as your “information hub” for communications.  We may be utilizing email, but in the next 2 weeks the web site will be the main source of outbound communication.  However, if you need to reach the office, email is best and we have remote access to be able to answer any email questions parishioners may have and will respond in a timely fashion.

What we want to stress is that we want you to please be sensible and be safe, and do what feels comfortable to you.  St. Edward’s is here for you.  We will stay in communication and keep you informed.  Just to clarify and expand on the Bishop’s letter as it relates to our St. Edward’s parish please note these details:

(1) The parish office is closed through March 30th and we will keep you informed as to the reopen date if this changes. Please do not come to the parish.  This includes volunteers that utilize the parish office.  If you do enter the parish office, there are disinfectant wipes and gloves to clean the desk/computer area, but it is best to please stay away from the church during this closure time, for our safety and wellness.

(2) If you have an emergency and need to call us, please contact Michelle Bentley at 717-203-1580 or Meredith Westgate, Vestry Senior Warden at 717-575-2119 and we will make certain your matter gets addressed in a timely manner by the office or the Rector.

(3) ALL parish activities are cancelled effective immediately:  This means:  All music practices, Bible study group, KnitWits, outside groups, coffee hours, adult forums, Sunday School, vestry and committee meetings.

(4) Our web site will be the best source for updates.  Please send emails for any communication or questions and we will respond in a timely manner.

(5) There will not be any Wednesday services or pastoral visits made by LEMs or the Rector, but if there is a pastoral need, please contact the parish office via email and the rector will respond via phone.

(6) We encourage you to continue your financial support of St. Edward’s. Your stewardship is vitally important to the success and continued ministry of our parish. Feel comfortable mailing your pledges and giving as we will be maintaining picking up of mail daily.

(7) There will be questions and items we have left out and may think of at a later time.   We apologize for any eliminations and want to avoid confusion, but this is a fluid situation where news is given to us and situations change from day-to-day, so please be patient and prayerful.

Thank you! 

Bishop’s Letter:

 13 March 2020

Dear Members of the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania,

The fast-moving pace of the Coronavirus and resulting cases of COVID-19, Wednesday’s upgrade by the World Health Organization of the illness to a pandemic, the Governor’s press conference on Thursday, and President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency today have all come to bear on exercising a new level of decision making that will have ramifications on our common life together.

In consultation with my brother bishops in the other four Pennsylvania dioceses; several other bishop colleagues across the church; our diocesan Standing Committee (the elected body that serves as my Council of Advice); and Mr. Ed Robertson, our Disaster and Emergency Coordinator, I have decided to suspend worship in our churches on the Sundays of March 22 and 29, and to cancel all large gatherings in the diocese and parish meetings, effective immediately.

This is a change from what I offered to our clergy in a letter to them on Thursday, and, yet, I believe it to be the appropriate choice for our people and communities in the time of an international public health crisis. The recommendations for altered worship patterns from last week’s pastoral letter (e.g., no intinction, no touching at the Peace) remain in place for this Sunday. Those who are especially vulnerable should take care and avoid large public gatherings, including church on March 15.

In his press conference on Thursday, the Governor made three succinct points suggesting ways to “flatten the curve” of the spread of the disease: participate in social distancing, avoid recreational activities, and, to religious leaders he issued a call to “use discretion to prevent the spread (of the disease.)”

Our diocese, though mostly composed of smaller congregations, does contain a great number of faithful, aged members. Those over the age of 60 and those with chronic health conditions are considered to be at-risk for contracting COVID-19. It is my desire- and the desire of the Standing Committee- to work to preserve the health and safety of our parishioners at all times. A cessation of gathering for worship will help to keep us- and our families and neighbors- safe.

Here is the plan for going forward:

•        All churches will refrain from public worship on the Sundays of March 22 and March 29. This includes worship and other activities of the parish on Sundays. The public health situation will be reevaluated as we approach Holy Week, and the decision to resume services will be considered.

•        All parish and diocesan gatherings (including committee meetings) during the weekdays will be suspended until Holy Week. Those meetings that can be conducted by Zoom conferencing or teleconferencing will be encouraged to take place. Our diocesan offices can assist with setting up Zoom meetings for various diocesan committees. Please be in touch with Canon Guzsick ([email protected]) for assistance with Zoom.

•        All Shaped by Faith convocational meetings will be moved to a webinar format. Canon Streeter ([email protected]) will be in touch with participants with directions for this new protocol.

•        All churches with feeding programs will be asked to come together to prepare the food and then serve it in To-Go containers to its guests, avoiding the gathering of groups.

•        Food and Goods distribution programs (Meals on Wheels, Meals for Seals, Food pantries, Clothing distributions, Diaper Banks) will be able to conduct their usual distribution as long as there are adequate volunteers and the distribution takes place in an efficient manner, not inviting the gathering of groups.

•        AA and other 12-step programs may still meet at parishes- with the permission of the Rector- with the added protocol that participants spray surfaces and wipe them down following use and participate in good hygiene practices, including the use of hand sanitizer and minimal physical contact.  The work of these groups is lifesaving to people with the experience of addiction; it is up to the Rector to make the decision, in consultation with the Vestry, about the use of the parish space for these meetings.

•        Pastoral offices (burials, memorial services, confirmations, baptisms, etc.) are to be postponed if possible. Please confer with me about conflicts.

•        Congregations are encouraged to participate in the live streaming of services as we will provide them from St. James, Lancaster (https://livestream.com/saintjameslancaster, and St. Luke’s, Mechanicsburg (https://st-lukes-mechanicsburg.diocpa.org/digital_faith/live) and our two cathedrals as their capacity is developed. These services will not include a congregation. Some clergy may wish to conduct services of Morning Prayer on Facebook Live as they are able.

•        We have created a free resource to allow your parishioners make secure gift and pledge payments online. The link provides a listing of all our congregations—so no matter what service you are watching, you can donate to your own parish. That page can be found here: www.diocesecpa.org/stewardship. For those congregations hoping to set up their own portal for giving on their own parish webpage, please contact Canon Alexis Guszick at [email protected] or Canon Chad Linder at [email protected].

•        The diocesan staff will be offered the opportunity to work from home during this period. Most of the staff have the capacity to work remotely. Please exercise patience in reaching them during this time; email is the preferred method for communication. I will be available by email ([email protected]) and by cell phone (860 866 7412).

This new way of being together has been described by one of my bishop colleagues as a “fast.” Fasting is, indeed, a hallmark of our Lenten discipline; I had never imagined that it would extend to worship, or to our weekly celebration of the Holy Eucharist. It is my fervent prayer that this two-week fast will allow us to participate in slowing the spread of the virus and that, come Palm Sunday: The Sunday of the Passion, we will be back together to journey through Holy Week to the Cross and beyond, to the Paschal Feast.

Please bear with me through these days, in faith, and with grace.

Take care of each other, and hold each other in prayer, as I do you.

Please use this time of fasting from corporate worship and meetings at church to try on new ways of relating to God: select a book of the Bible to read through quietly at home; go for a “prayer walk” in nature and find God in the beauty of the emerging spring; spend time in unhurried conversation with family members; use the phone to reach out to those whom you have missed; explore the Book of Common Prayer and its rich resources (for those without a BCP at home, you can find the full text online at www.bcponline.org); sit in the quiet and welcome Christ; prepare and share a meal with your family, telling stories of faith and hope. All of these are ways that we can express devotion to the One who has created us, to Jesus who saves us, and to the Spirit who sustains us.

Take advantage of technological capacities that can allow for prayer chains in email, e-blasts with news and encouragement, phone trees to check in on our aged, and creative, compassionate expressions of our faith.

This is new territory for us that will call on our creativity, experimentation, collaboration, discovery, and change.

Our God is a good God who watches over us and will not forsake us.

God of the present moment,

God who in Jesus stills the storm

and soothes the frantic heart; bring

hope and courage to all

who wait or work in uncertainty.

Bring them courage to endure what cannot

be avoided,

for your will is health and wholeness;

you are God, and we need you.

This we pray in

Christ our Lord. Amen.

from Episcopal Relief and Development website

I will write again during this time of hiatus to check in and keep our diocese informed of any developments. Please share this e-mail with your parish e-mail list.

In the Way of Love,

The Rt. Rev. Audrey C. Scanlan

XI Bishop

2020 cultural events: 

Sunday, April 26th at 3:00 PM  valleyphonics – Mix of classical and contemporary program

Saturday, June 20th at 7 PM  Servant Stage – A Broadway Review style “revue” show

Sunday September 20th at 3 PM – QuintEssentially Brass – Baroque to Jazz, Sacred to Secular

Sunday, December 13th at 3 PM  Fire in the Glen – A Celtic Christmas program

Please submit any news articles, announcements, photos, etc. for the April Scepter, due Friday, March 20th to mac Miller at:  [email protected]

New message from Bishop Scanlan regarding COVID-19

6 March 2020

Dear Clergy and People of the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania,

With two presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 reported in Pennsylvania in Delaware and Wayne Counties (as of Friday, March 6), I wanted to check in to offer continued support and recommendations for best practices as we gather together this weekend and in the future for worship.

As of today, there are no restrictions issued by the county, state or national government about gathering in groups. Common sense and best practices encourage continued good hygiene and, for those who are of a vulnerable population- the aged and those already living with chronic respiratory illness- personal discernment is urged about whether or not to participate in large group activities. For those congregations who have people in these vulnerable categories, it is encouraged that a plan be developed in each congregation to check in on members who choose to separate themselves. A phone call to members who have been out of community and an offer to assist with shopping and other errands would be most appreciated.

I expect that church in our diocese will continue on apace, and I would encourage these practices:

  • Place hand sanitizer in several locations throughout the church. Offer Kleenex in the pews and places to discard used Kleenex. (Coughing into one’s elbow is no longer considered a safe practice. Coughing into a tissue and immediately discarding it is regarded as a best practice.)
  • The Peace and greetings following service are to be conducted with a gentle bow, or an elbow “bump.” Please avoid shaking hands to prevent the spread of illness.
  • Clergy and eucharistic ministers, acolytes and others handling communion elements should use hand sanitizer before the service begins, at the Offertory and after communion has been distributed.
  • Intinction (dipping the host) by congregational members is not safe. If intinction is preferred, the clergy person will instinct for the person and place the host in their mouth. The safest way to receive communion is by receiving the bread in one kind only. This is theologically sound. Communion is considered efficacious in “one kind.” (bread or wine alone). If the communicant chooses to receive bread alone, they can gently raise their hand to the chalice without touching it (like a “stop” signal) to indicate to the chalice minister that they are only receiving bread. If the common cup is used, silver rather than ceramic chalices are encouraged as they allow for greater sanitary practice.
  • Coffee hours can and should continue. Please follow good safety and hygiene practices in the kitchen and in food preparation.
  • Congregations should consider alternate methods for pledge collection, especially for those whom, because of vulnerability, choose to stay away. Online giving is an option for ensuring ongoing continuity of operations. Canon Alexis Guszick ([email protected]) or Canon Chad Linder ([email protected]) can offer assistance in getting these practices set up.
  • Regular hand washing performed several times per day with hot, soapy water is the best way to prevent the spread of illness. At least 20 seconds is recommended for this to be effective. It is a wonderful time to take a moment to breathe, to offer prayers for the sick, to offer prayers of thanksgiving, and to center ourselves.

Please keep the faith, friends. We have a mighty God who has imbued us with “memory, reason and skill,” (BCP pg. 370) and these gifts will help to see us through. A public health situation raises the anxiety in our households, our schools, our congregations and our communities. God desires our wholeness, God calls on us to use our gifts to make sensible choices and to problem solve, but let us not forget, “God is a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1). Keep saying your prayers, reach out to your neighbors to check in and know that “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” (Hebrews 6:19)

I will be in touch again if greater measures for our safety are required.

Here’s a prayer for peace of mind:

Merciful Jesus, you are my guide, the joy of my heart, the author of my hope, and the object of my love. I come seeking refreshment and peace. Show me your mercy, relieve my fears and anxieties, and grant me a quiet mind and an expectant heart, that by the assurance of your presence I may learn to abide in you, who is my Lord and my God. Amen. (www.gracecathedral.org)

For more information, please visit the following recommended websites:

https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx

Faith-Based Response to Epidemics + Pandemics

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

In the Way of Love,

The Rt. Rev. Audrey C. Scanlan

XI Bishop

Lenten Bible Study Starts Wednesday March 4th

JOIN US WEDNESDAY EVENINGS, starting Wednesday, March 4th at 6:30 pm in the Christian Education Wing Lounge.

The Bible study will be led by Bill and Yvonne Gasperetti and is a wonderful way to journey through Lent.

Mark your calendars for the next five Wednesdays:  March 4, 11, 18, 25, April 1 and be a part of this group.

Our study will be the Blackaby study of the book of James.

 

We have ordered the books to be available for the first study session

St. Edward’s Announces Our New Rector

Dear St. Edward’s family,

While the Search Committee looked far and wide for a new rector, they found the person who fit our profile almost in our own back yard.  It is an honor to introduce to you the next rector of St. Edwards:   The Reverend Richard C. Bauer.

Father Rick has been serving as Associate Rector at St. James in Lancaster since June of 2018. As part of his ministry there, he has worked hard to lift up ministries in our community that promote the dignity of all people and has developed strong relationships with clergy women and men in our convocation and diocese.

Rick will soon finish course work for a Doctor of Ministry in Christian Leadership from Duke Divinity School.  As a student there, he has honed the craft of ministry with work in parish administration, strategic planning, multi-media practices, preaching in politically diverse contexts and outreach ministries.  In addition to his nearly completed doctorate, Rick holds a Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary; a Master of Arts in Religious Studies from Florida International University; and a B.S. in Legal Studies from Nova Southeastern University.

An accomplished musician (vocalist, guitarist, bassist, and keyboardist) Father Rick self-recorded and produced 9 full-length C.D.’s. and maintained a full-time performance schedule with “the Rick Bauer Band.”  Through his Roads to Rome Productions in Hollywood, Florida, he served for 15 years as an ordained non-denominational minister, proprietor, performer, booking agent, and producer.

Father Rick’s many academic awards during his years at Virginia Theological Seminary include an award for Christian Leadership, a Biblical Language Prize, an Award and Scholarship for Academic Excellence in Theology, a Scholarship for Academic Excellence and another for Theological Reflection, and a Doctoral Fellowship for Study: Catholic University, PhD. Religion and Culture.  Rick was a Florida Academic Scholar, 1993-1997 and completed his undergraduate education on a full academic scholarship.

In his free time, Rick engages his passions for study, travel, music, and family.  As an extension of his graduate work in Religious Studies, he seeks opportunities to engage different cultures, and, in fifteen trips abroad has explored many of the top world UNESCO sites,   Stonehenge including the Pyramids at Giza, the Vatican, the Taj Mahal, Machu Picchu, the Temple complexes at Angkor, and Chichen Itza.

Rick and his wife Katrina live right here in East Hempfield and are the proud parents of two sons, Richard and Christian, who attend Centerville Elementary School.

In his cover letter to the Search Committee, Rick wrote this:  “While I humbly aspire to faithfully approach Christ with a commitment to life-long learning, I feel called to do so in a context that allows for the cultivation of deep interpersonal relationships.  I believe that the Spirit is calling me to a vocation that allows for a greater degree of pastoral focus in ministry, where walking together in Christian community, where growing in faith and numbers, is rooted in knowing one another.”

I firmly believe that Father Rick is God’s answer to our prayer for new leadership at St. Edward’s.

Before closing, I want to acknowledge and thank the search committee;   Matthew Sternberg, Dottie Gschwend, Bill Swiernik, Peter Weber, Susan Landin, Seth Hake, and Beth Lynch for their tireless work in this 15 month process.  I am also deeply grateful to the vestry:  Julie Hoff, Junior Warden; Bill Swiernik, Mike Freshwater, Mark Jakiel, Ellen Milligan, Dina Ishler, Ginny Kloepping, and Herb Johnston for their time and energy and for making themselves available for countless planned and impromptu meetings.  Thanks also to Kevin Milligan for his financial expertise during our contract negotiations. Thank you to Father David for his experienced pastoral ministry during our transition.  Last, but not least, the wise and experienced counsel of Bishop Audrey Scanlan and The Rev. Canon Dan Morrow is greatly appreciated.

Father Rick’s first official Sunday at St. Edward’s will be on April 26.  I know you’ll join me in extending a warm and gracious St. Edward’s welcome to Father Rick, Katrina, Richard, and Christian.

Sincerely,

Meredith Westgate

Senior Warden

Neighbors in Our Community Need Our Help!

At 11:53pm on 2/22/20, a family in our community who lived on Marietta Avenue, the LaBarriere’s, had a devastatingly life changing fire. Their 18- year-old daughter made it out but she has been transported to Crozer burn center in Chester. The 12-year-old twins (boy and girl) made it out ok. Sadly, their loving mother and grandmother did not make it out of the fire. The house is a complete loss, therefore the kids and Dad need anything and everything.

This community is absolutely amazing and has shown such support in such a short time! Please drop off donations at the West Hempfield Fire Department at 3476 Marietta Ave, Lancaster, PA. Drop off at doors around back. There will be a big Tupperware container there that you can place any gift cards in (just put lid back on top), if nobody is there.

At St. Edward’s, we are asking for anyone that finds it in their heart to help, to please donate what you can to this cause. In addition to the Fire Department drop-off location, you can also drop items off at the parish office and we will deliver them to the drop-off locations.

There is also a GoFundMe page set up to make monetary donations:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/urqdx-family-that-lost-everything

Size 7 girls shoes
Size 10/12 girls clothing
Size 8 boys shoes
Size 10/12 boys clothing
Size Large clothing for Dad

18-year old clothing size – Medium

And please, please PRAY so hard for this family. They are completely devastated!

 

Message from Bishop Scanlan regarding Coronavirus

27 February 2020

 

Dear Clergy and Members of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania,

The arrival of the Coronavirus in the United States has prompted several of you to inquire about implications for our common life and worship in the Church.   I have consulted with our Diocesan Disaster and Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Mr. Ed Robertson, and also with our Canon for Communications, Mrs. Alexis Guszick, who is in regular contact with her colleagues across the wider Church on this matter.

Here are facts about the Coronavirus (Covid-19):

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China. In recent weeks, the virus has spread from China to other countries.

  • Symptoms of the disease are fever, cough, shortness of breath. If you are experiencing these symptoms, call your doctor immediately. Symptoms may appear between two to 14 days after exposure to the disease. It is spreading rapidly with cases     developing in many countries around the world.
  • The disease is new so there is no vaccine at this time. Health professionals are still learning all of the ways that the disease is transmitted and who is most susceptible.
  • There is little information about how the disease impacts pregnant women or the child in their womb.
  • It is best to take precautions, especially if you have a weaker immune system, a history of respiratory issues or are over 70 years old. If identified early, the survival rate for this virus is high.

(from episcopalrelief.org)

At this time, common sense precautions are recommended- the same precautions that are in place during the cold and flu season:

  • If you are sick, please stay home and take care of yourself. Call your church to let them know that you are ill and if you need any assistance during this time.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, scrubbing for at least 20 seconds.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Episcopal Relief & Development (episcopalrelief.org) offers these additional guidelines for church communities and when we gather together for worship:

  1. Encourage clergy to wash hands with soap and water before services and use hand sanitizer before distributing communion; also provide hand sanitizer for congregational use: a.) Communion: those who are ill should stay home; those who are concerned may abstain from communion or receive “in one kind” (host only); use of the common cup with proper purificator procedure presents relatively low risk; intinction should be avoided (see this document from the Diocese of New York during the SARS epidemic for more information on intinction and other liturgical practices) b.) Sharing of the Peace: waving is perfectly acceptable in place of shaking hands or hugging.
  2. If desired by the congregation, adapt rituals to minimize personal contact.
  3. Provide tissues and no-touch disposal receptacles for use.
  4. Say a prayer during service for people who are ill and mail prayer cards to their homes.
  5. Perform routine environmental cleaning in the sanctuary, kitchen hall, and other spaces where people gather.
  6. Bolster outreach ministries to prepare to help low-income hourly workers who must call out of work. Encourage those     who may consider going to work for the sake of income to stay home because you can offer assistance.

If the virus becomes more widespread in our area, we will offer recommendations for alterations to our common practices that include gathering for worship and meetings, care of the vulnerable among us, and sacramental nurture during isolation. We will also address the role of the Church in society during a pandemic and best practices for serving as a community resource. Please know that our Diocesan Disaster and Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Ed Robertson, is in regular contact with officials at Disaster Information Management Research Center at the National Institutes of Health and the National Voluntary Organizations Active In Disaster (VOAD) and he is prepared with plans for Continuing of Operations and procedures in the event of a large scale quarantine.

Please keep those who are sick across our world in your prayers, and those who care for them:

For the Sick

O God of heavenly powers,

by the might of your command

you drive away from our bodies

all sickness and all infirmity:

Be present in your goodness with

your servants that their weakness may

be banished and their strength restored; and that, their health being renewed,

they may bless your holy Name;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen. (BCP pg. 458, adapted)

 

For Doctors and Nurses

Sanctify, O Lord, those whom you have called to the study and practice of the arts of healing, and to the prevention of disease and pain. Strengthen them by

your life-giving Spirit, that by their ministries the health of the community

may be promoted and your creation glorified; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen. (BCP pg. 460)

 

In the Way of Love,

The Rt. Rev. Audrey C. Scanlan

XI Bishop

Lenten Message from Bishop Scanlan

Dear People of God: The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord’s passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a season of penitence and fasting. This season of Lent provided a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism. It was also a time when those who, because of notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to the fellowship of the Church. Thereby, the whole congregation was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which all Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith.

I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word…

(BCP pp 264-5)

21 February 2020

 

 

Dear Members of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania,

In just a few short days, we will gather in churches across our diocese on Ash Wednesday to hear words from our Book of Common Prayer inviting us to the observance of a holy Lent.

We will transition from the season of light and glory- Epiphany- in to the season of prayer, fasting, and reflection- Lent- and, working through a process of discipline, study and introspection, reconcile ourselves before the Lord and prepare for the paschal feast of Easter.

Lent offers us a time for deep soul work: We are given the opportunity to look with compassion at parts of us that are broken, to seek understanding, and to ask God to give us the tools to make us whole again; we are given the grace of time to focus on changes that we would like to make in order to live more harmoniously with our creation, each other, and our Creator; we are invited to draw from the well of Holy Scripture to find ancient wisdom for our modern lives; and we are really blessed to have this “time apart” to dwell on the gifts that God has given us and to pray for new insights for how to best use them.

Adopting new spiritual disciplines or refreshing old spiritual practices are important features of Lent. We may take on a new prayer practice, choose to read a book of the Bible that is new to us, give up a favorite food or activity, devote ourselves to service or mission- but these are not ends in themselves. The spiritual practices that we take on at Lent are vehicles of devotion for us to attain a deeper understanding of God and our relationship with God and each other.

This Lent, I will devote myself to fasting on one day of the week answering the call of our Presiding Bishop to join him in this spiritual practice as we pray for the “soul of our nation” https://episcopalchurch.org/posts/publicaffairs/lent-2020-call-prayer-fasting-and-repentance-leading-action, I will shift my morning spiritual practice from reading Morning Prayer to engage a period of Contemplative Prayer, and I will study in two areas: I will investigate the work of the Poor People’s Campaign, a revival of the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that is moving across our country and sounding a “national call for moral revival” https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/,

and I will participate in the study group offered by Mrs. Lisa Work and The Rev. Deacon Marsha Roscoe on the book by Mary Bea Sullivan, Living the Way of Love. For more information on the virtual group that is forming, click on this link:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/WayOfLoveLentenBookGroup/

An additional resource that we are offering this year through our diocesan leadership is a daily reflection on the themes of our diocesan wide initiative Shaped by Faith: Change, Discovery, Experimentation, Collaboration, Creativity, and Faith. These reflections will be posted daily on our diocesan Facebook page and on our diocesan website.

As we continue in our diocese to discern how we are “Shaped by Faith,” working with our convocations to explore our vitality and to search for new ways that God is calling us to be Church, I pray that our own inner journeys during Lent will bring up in us the boldness and courage that we need to do this important work of re-shaping our diocese. I pray that our spiritual walk in the desert of Lent will yield an Eastertide for our diocese that is wildly abundant, fresh, and brimming with new life.

Join me. Join our diocese in a holy, holy Lent. Commit to a practice that will lead you into deep soul work, and allow God’s loving hand to shape you- shape us- by faith.

In the Way of Love,

The Rt. Rev. Audrey C. Scanlan

XI Bishop

Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday

Join us for our annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper!

Tuesday, February 25th 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Free-will offering

This is always a fun event and a great way to enter the season of Lent.

** We are looking for volunteers to set up, serve, make pancakes, clean up!  Please sign up in the parish hall. 

Our Ash Wednesday Service offerings are as follows:

7:00 AM – Ash Wednesday Service- St. Edward’s

12 Noon – Ash Wednesday Service – St. Edward’s

Evening Service – 7:30 PM, St. John’s 321 W. Chestnut Street, Lancaster

Discernment Prayer – February 2020

Gracious Father, from whom comes all good and perfect gifts, as we continue in our search for our next rector,continue to bestow your love and spiritual strength to our Search Committee, and to the parish of St. Edward’s during our time of reflection, self revelation and strengthened community. Send down your love to the Search Committee as they continue on their journey entrusted to them by St. Edward’s. Keep us unified on our course, imbue us with the spiritual strength  to stand strong and discern well, give us wisdom as we continue our work to bring  a new Rector to lead us forward in our mission. We pray for God’s continued blessing upon our Community, that the endurance he has given to all of us during our time of transition may lead us to a happy conclusion as we seek to do His will in all that we undertake, or do, or say. 

Let us all remember the words our Savior has taught us, and lift up our voices in His prayer: Our Father, who are in Heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever, AMEN.

Your St. Edward’s Search Committee,

Dottie Gschwend, co-chair

Matthew Sternberg, co-chair

Seth Hake

Susan Landin

Beth Lynch

Bill Swiernik

Peter Weber

Cultural Events at St. Edward’s in 2020 with kick-off event – Swing Street Jazz Quartet on January 26th

Patrick Ishler, Cultural Events chairperson, and the entire Cultural Events Committee invite you to a wonderful 2020 program at St. Edward’s.

Tell your friends!  Invite your family and neighbors!  We have a wonderful selection of events scheduled starting Janaury 26th at 3:00 PM with Swing Street Jazz Quartet and continuing throughout the year.

All events are a free-will offering and all events will have light refreshments.

Check out our 2020 schedule here.

Check out the event information for Swing Street here.