Category: News

Dear parishioners,

We hope everyone had a lovely Mother’s Day!  The weather was nice and it was lovely to take a “break,” whether virtually or with the right social distancing, to honor the women of our world with good wishes for being there in ways that have nurtured us through our lives.

We also want to share a message to our St. Edwardians from Bishop Scanlan regarding some “news” that was put forward over the weekend about Lancaster County.  The note is detailed and explains our stance on when it is safe to reopen and the guidelines our parish will follow.  We hope this puts to rest any conflicting reports you may have heard.

From Bishop Scanlan:

I heard through the course of the weekend that the leadership of several of our Central PA counties were choosing to advance their local areas from the “red” phase of the Governor’s “Re-Opening Pennsylvania” plan to the “yellow” phase.  I am writing to you because your congregation is in one of these 8 counties who have, of their own accord. (and with what considerations?) moved their regions out of ” red” and into “yellow.”

As you know, I have said that when counties achieve a” yellow” status under the Governor’s plan (not individual county leadership decisions) then parishes will be eligible to begin considering their Return to Church Buildings. At this time, the counties of Huntingdon, Franklin, Perry, Cumberland, Adams, York, Dauphin and Lancaster are still red.

Thank you for your attention to this.

Audrey

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It is a cold and gloomy day today, so I leave you with a virtual tour and a meditation to ponder.  Until tomorrow. . . .

Michelle

Today we visit Greenland (Because it is YouTube, there will be ads that run prior to the video.  If you look in lower right corner, after about 5 seconds you will see a button that reads “Skip Ad” to click).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7hbWvHKns0

The Episcopal  Church is very much attuned to our environment and having us all be aware of how important it is to be good stewards of our planet.  By sharing these wonderous adventures of natural spaces and the wildlife creatures that inhabit them, we hope this reminds us all of our:

EPISCOPAL COVENANT TO CARE OF CREATION PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE

In Jesus, God so loved the whole world. We follow Jesus, so we love the world God loves. Concerned about the global climate emergency, drawing from a range of approaches for our diverse contexts, we commit to form and restore loving, liberating, life-giving relationships with all of Creation.

LOVING FORMATION For God’s sake, we will grow our love for the Earth and all of life through preaching, teaching, storytelling, and prayer.

LIBERATING ADVOCACY For God’s sake, standing alongside marginalized, vulnerable peoples, we will advocate and act to repair Creation and seek the liberation and flourishing of all people.

LIFE-GIVING CONSERVATION For God’s sake, we will adopt practical ways of reducing our climate impact and living more humbly and gently on Earth as individuals, households, congregations, institutions, and dioceses.

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Forward Day by Day Meditation for MONDAY, May 11

Matthew 6:1 Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them.

On my birthday, I hoped the lectionary would give me some sweet passage, the kind that turned easily into a Hallmark card or inspirational meme. Instead, we start with atonement sacrifices in Leviticus and end with this stern warning against swagger and preening in Matthew.

As a child, I learned the books of the Bible in exchange for gold stars and a lilac bookmark. As an adult, I still enjoy a reward (or at least acknowledgment) for a job well done. Don’t we all?

Perhaps there’s little wonder that I am called to sit with this verse and discern my way through it. Often I find comfort and hope in scripture but today reminds me that there is also challenge. Sometimes scripture should make us squirm, especially when it lays bare places that need new growth.

God always knows what I need to hear—even if I don’t want to listen.

MOVING FORWARD: When has scripture laid something in you bare? What steps did you take to work on those areas?

PRAY for the Diocese of Lafia (Nigeria)

Ps 56, 57, [58] * 64, 65 | Leviticus 16:1-19 | 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 | Matthew 6:1-6,16-18

Dear Parish Family,

Coming onto our campus early each morning, I find myself both spiritually fed and helpfully grounded in the essential reminders inscribed upon the banner in front our of church.  Two short declarative statements: Christ is alive and We’re all in this together, provide for me the simple and concise framework for the work that we engage together here at St. Edward’s.  And on a gloomy and an unseasonably cold day, I trust that the warmth and the light generated from our shared commitment to being Christ’s Body alive in the world clothes us in the power of a Spirit that truly provides us with all the tools that we need to thrive during this season of pandemic.

The first reminder, that Christ is alive, orients us toward the appropriate joy that we are invited to rest in when circumstances challenge us.  And it feels meet and right that something of the blessing of God’s own incarnation in Christ Jesus can be comprehended in the celebration of the nurturing and creative forces that have given birth to each of us.  As we wish those who have loved and shaped us a Happy Mother’s Day this weekend, we inherently acknowledge that the creative force at the root of our being IS indeed…LOVE.  Though many of us will feel the sting of sadness, not being with our own mothers on this physical plane any longer, our Gospel assures us that nothing (not even death) separates us from the love that has given us life and to which we return as God’s own.  Just as Christ has conquered the grave, the connections that we share with those who no longer travel with us in physical form, transcend the mortal domain.  And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love. (I Cor 13:13)

In the second reminder, that We’re all in this together, I take profound comfort in the knowledge that we ARE doing church and faithfully engaging our senses of call as disciples.  From our robust stewardship and outreach to our online worship and virtual gatherings, the inter-connectivity and the relationships that define St. Edward’s appear largely unfettered by our circumstances.  Yes, we long to be face-to-face together in our sanctuary.  Yet, in every phone conversation and through each selfless gesture of ministry, I can feel the presence of our living God in the Christian character of our parish.  And as we approach relaunching in-person worship here this summer, I trust that we will move forward non-anxiously together through what may feel, at first, a bit restrictive and inorganic for many of us.

Just yesterday, our diocese released a detailed, eighteen-page document penned by The Task Force on Operations with the specific protocols that we will need to comply with in order to gather again in our churches.  In conjunction with the phased plan for the re-opening of businesses issued through Governor Wolf’s office, we will be able to meet in groups of 25 for in-person worship after the Governor has lifted the stay at home order for our county.  While we have no clear indication of when this will take place, we are making preparations now for obtaining the supplies that we will need in order to ensure that our sanctuary is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after each and every gathering and that we’ve got the masks and sanitization stations necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our parish.

As we continue to exercise patience in our wait, I give thanks for the Spirit-filled life and energy steering innovation, cooperation and collaboration here at St. Edward’s.  In the following weeks, we’ll be leaning into our sense of inertia through an enhanced rhythm of community life through a virtual program including: Wednesday Evening Bible Study, Friday Evening Prayer, Weekend Worship, and Sunday Morning Virtual Coffee Hour.  In conjunction with our daily communications, it is our heartfelt prayer that this pattern of worship, formation, and fellowship will continue to sustain us as we rise to the call to serve as ambassadors of Christ in challenging, new, and exciting ways.  May the blessings of our loving and merciful Lord blanket each of you this weekend.  Happy Mother’s Day,

Father Rick+

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Join us for worship this Sunday, the Fifth Sunday of Easter, online!  Please check your email tomorrow, Saturday, May 9^th in the afternoon for the link to the service and the bulletin to download.  There will also be a link in the post, if you choose to give via online donations, to enable you to do that.

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After you worship, join us for our VIRTUAL COFFEE HOUR: 

Consider joining the virtual coffee hour, hosted by Joe and Christina McLaughlin.  Here are the NEW details (We are now hosting on the St. Edward’s Zoom account so that our time will be unlimited – SO PLEASE NOTE NEW LINK AND DETAILS IN YOUR FRIDAY DAILY MESSAGE):

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, MAY 10TH

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!

** This join code and passcode will not be posted on the public website of Facebook.

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Please visit our website and on the home page under “News and Posts” you will find, on Fridays, a video message from Bishop Scanlan.  We encourage you to take the time to view these weekly messages of prayer, encouragement, and sharing of ideas and diocesan resources you may find interesting to connect with.

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If you are engaged in connecting with a “buddy” – the system that Meredith Westgate had initiated back in March, this is a gentle reminder to keep reaching out!  Everyone is very appreciative of the connections.  Even if you are not assigned a “buddy” it would be great to give a fellow St. Edward’s parishioner a call to say “hello!”  Thank you!  As Father Rick says, “We are all in this together!”

Dear Members of the Episcopal Church in Central PA,

Bishop Scanlan shares a message to the diocese about returning to church, watch below.

If you have questions or would like to review the plan, visit: https://diocesecpa.org/returning-to-church/.

In the Way of Love,

The Rt. Rev. Audrey C. Scanlan

XI Bishop

Dear parishioners,

Today, we offer a wonderful musical offering from fellow parishioner and choir member, Peter Weber.  We also offer a daily meditation from Forward Day by Day.

Please make certain you check your Daily Message email tomorrow as there will be important information and messaging from Father Rick, as well as the NEW login for virtual coffee hour (we will start to use our St. Edward’s Zoom account), information about our Sunday service, and weekly updates/messages from Bishop Scanlan.  Important news you will want to know as we approach the weekend!

Thank you.

Michelle

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For this season, which has lasted more than 40 days, I commend The Beatitudes music by Liszt Ferenc, otherwise called Franz Liszt.

Beatitudes, Christus Oratorium, movement No. 6, Baritone, Chorus and Organ

by Liszt Ferenc, 1866

(English translation from the Latin)

Blessed are the poor in spirit:

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are the meek:

for they shall possess the land.

Blessed are they that mourn:

for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are they that hunger

and thirst after justice:

for they hall have their fill.

Blessed are the merciful:

for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart:

for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers:

for they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are they that suffer persecution

for justice’ sake:

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

(Matt. 5, 3-10)

There is a recording online, with Miklos Forrai, Conductor, and the Hungarian State Orchestra.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TV2hlE7S-GI

Has anyone else heard or sung or played this superb music?

Peace,

Peter

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THURSDAY, May 7

Colossians 3:16-17 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

From the Archives: April 1, 1946

“Serve” is one of Christ’s own words. And where shall his servants serve? Right where he is, at home, those nearest him, his neighbor.

Today we look upon a most woeful world. It seems burst like a fragmentation bomb. Is there any earthly hope of these warring factions coming together? Not much. But there is a heavenly chance.

Let us stand by statesmen, arbitrators, and conciliators, as they seek to bring warring factions together. They work like frantic seamen pumping out a leaky ship who trust the ship will hold together.

What can save us is God’s mercy and the Divine impulse that knits millions of little families together in the service of mutual love—and that other family, the Church.

MOVING FORWARD: Reach out to someone from whom you’ve been estranged.

Read the contemporary reflection here.

PRAY for the Dioceses of Kitigi and Kwara (both in Nigeria)

Ps 50 * [59,60] or 114, 115 | Exodus 34:1-17 | 1 Thessalonians 2:12-20 | Matthew 5:21-26

Dear parishioners,

Today is National Nurses Day and to pay tribute we posted on Facebook a message of support.  Where would we be without nurses, any day, and especially now!  They are so brave to take care of us in these times of COVID19, and every day.  Thank you, Nurses!!!

While coming into work today, I stopped by Dunkin Donuts to get coffees and the line was very, very long.  As I got to the window to get my order and pay, the gal said to me, “The woman in front of you paid for your order.”  What a surprise!!  Such a nice gesture.  I, in turn, decided to pay for the order of the gentleman behind me.  It makes one feel good to pass on gestures of community spirit and kindness.

Today’s message shares a favorite hymn of Libby Sternberg’s and a wonderful meditation for today from Forward Day by Day.

Michelle

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From Libby Sternberg:  Here’s an Easter favorite of mine by Patrick Hadley, “My Beloved Spake.” I remember singing this with an Episcopal choir in Baltimore. Seems appropriate now as spring comes and we contemplate things reopening:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjULGCnpYaI&list=PLkZaLImNGrfoJYxmdRunLL3XMNXtDCJse&index=54&t=0s

The text (hard to get from the recording):

My beloved spake, and said unto me,
Rise up my love, my fair one, and come away.
For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;
The flowers appear on the earth;
The time of the singing of birds is come,
And the voice of the turtle is heard in our land
The figtree putteth forth her green figs,
And the vines with the tender grape give a good smell.
Arise my love, my fair one and come away.

—

WEDNESDAY, May 6, 2020

Exodus 33:3b For you are a stiff-necked people.

Few things drive God crazier than stubbornness. More than forty verses in the Bible criticize the traits of a stiff-necked people—the hardened heart, the refusal to be led, the haughtiness of certainty.

God knows—God knows—we are a stubborn people. We dig in our heels even when evidence is presented to the contrary. We take comfort in certainty and pride in charting our own paths. Among our many sinful traits, stubbornness is among the most egregious.

We see what happens when its gnarly tendrils take root in God’s people—in biblical times and today. We become oxen following the same rutted paths, unwilling to see new possibilities, unable to find common ground. Let us pray for softened hearts so we might be open to God’s leading to a promised land, one we can neither imagine nor find on our own.

MOVING FORWARD: How do you discern the difference between determination and stubbornness? Is this a slippery slope for you? Pray for guidance.

PRAY for the Diocese of Kushtia (Bangladesh)

Ps 119:49-72 * 49, [53] | Exodus 33:1-23 | 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 | Matthew 5:17-20

Dear parishioners,

So many great things happening at St. Edward’s this week:  With the great dedication and ministry of Mike Freshwater, our exterior doors are being repainted (and they look great)!  Mike has also replaced the very worn out STOP sign in our driveway with a brand new one AND we have a new front sign with Father Rick’s name and a new “All Are Welcome” message.

Father Rick is working on implementing our Livestream capabilities so we will be up and running with that in a few weeks, as well as the clergy weekly calls with the diocese keeping our parishes abreast of what is happening and what we should be planning for.  Not to mention the rector’s office looking absolutely fantastic with new carpet and new décor with new furniture arriving this weekend.  What a wonderful space to have Father Rick do his ministry. . .We can’t wait for everyone to see it!

There was great ministry that happened over the weekend, as well, with a new riser built for the Praise Band drum set (again, looks pretty darn good!) and some great gardening and weeding by the Milligan family and Ginny Kloepping (if I left any of our gardeners out, please let me know?).  And, we appreciate Herb Johnston making his weekly stop by St. Edward’s to make sure our trash is being put out for pick up on Monday mornings, as well as his “walk through” of the church facility to make sure everything is AOK.  Thank you, Herb!

I hear from “reliable sources” that the virtual coffee hour had upwards of 30 people this past Sunday!  Fantastic!  Thank you to Joe and Christina McLaughlin for energizing that ministry.

Parishioners have also been sending me content to feature in the Daily Message and I greatly appreciate it.  I know there is more. . . Oh, there is one message to the parish and that is:  We thank you so very much for being faithful in your pledging and giving.  It is so vitally important for us to carry out the ministry of St. Edward’s and we are so appreciative of your continued support.  I think we have even collected a second wave of donations for the Hempfield Area Food Pantry to be able to send them a check in the $1,000 range, which is so needed right now, so thank you, all, for keeping that ministry in your prayers and donations.

Be well.  Stay safe.  Keep the faith.

Michelle

In today’s Daily Message, we offer you the new season of The Way of Love with Bishop Michael Curry, and a virtual tour.

Third season of The Way of Love with Bishop Michael Curry podcast begins May 5 with guest Jen Hatmaker

Season 3 of The Episcopal Church’s podcast The Way of Love with Bishop Michael Curry, is now available. These weekly conversations, featuring Bishop Curry, podcast host Sandy Milien, and a variety of guests, center on ways to live a life committed to living the way of God’s unconditional, unselfish, sacrificial and redemptive love.

Season 3 changes include longer conversations between Bishop Curry and his guests: faith leaders, authors, and thinkers who are committed to following the Way of Jesus in the world today. Framed by the Way of Love – those seven practices of turning, learning, praying, worshipping, blessing, going, and resting – listeners will hear stories and lessons about how they can grow closer to God in daily life.

In Episode 1, Bishop Curry sits down with New York Times best-selling author and podcast host Jen Hatmaker to discover how, among many changes, opportunities, setbacks, and even a television show, she and her family have paused, listened, and reoriented themselves again and again toward Jesus and his Way of Love. Hear about her shift from a self-centered to an other-centered faith, and how one unconventional fast deeply impacted her. Hatmaker’s latest book is Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire.   This episode of the Way of Love podcast is sponsored by Trinity Church Wall Street, which offers services streamed live and on demand in HD six days a week.

If you missed Seasons 1 and 2, or want to go back and listen again, individual episodes, including bonus episodes and reflection guides are here and here.

The Way of Love with Bishop Michael Curry, is available on most podcast apps and at episcopalchurch.org. Visit the Way of Love podcast webpage to subscribe to the podcast through Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify and to sign up for notifications of new seasons and episodes as well as additional featured content.

Let’s go to. . . Beautiful Lofoten (Norway / Arctic Circle) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mg67iIFivDo

Dear parishioners,

For our Daily Message today we have a celebration of new life!!

Let us “shout the good news” from the mountaintops. . . or in our case, from the fields and hilltops of St. Edward’s, that Elizabeth Casey Stauffer, and her husband, Kevin Stauffer, are proud parents of twin girls!!!

May we introduce you to:

Emma Michele Casey Stauffer and Sadie Raye Casey Stauffer!  Both safely delivered to Elizabeth at 5:37 am and 5:38 am, respectively, on Saturday, May 2^nd at Women’s & Babies Hospital.  From their “official stats” that Stephen and Rayelenn shared with us, it looks like Emma was born at 4 lbs 5 oz and 17.9” and Sadie was 5 lbs and 18.1”.  All our doing well and as Stephen relayed: “The Casey’s are now officially grandparents” and from Rayelenn, when we asked if we may share, she replied: “Yes, tell the world!”

We are so thrilled, and it is our deepest wish to the Casey and the Stauffer families for good health, much happiness, joy, and long life to all!

We offer these two prayers from the Book of Common Prayer: 

For the parents and grandparents For the Care of Children 

Almighty God, heavenly Father, you have blessed us with the joy and care of children: Give us calm strength and patient wisdom as we bring them up, that we may teach them to love whatever is just and true and good, following the example of our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

For Emma and Sadie, individually, For their Birthday and for every day:

Watch over thy child, O Lord, as her days increase; bless and guide her wherever she may be. Strengthen her when she stands; comfort her when discouraged or sorrowful; raise her up if she fall; and in her heart may thy peace which passeth understanding abide all the days of her life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Please share your thoughts, prayers, and good wishes with Stephen, Rayelenn, and all the family!

Michelle