Community Aid Donation Bin at St. Edward’s

COMMUNITY AID PA – This spring, you will notice in the far end, left side of the parking lot there is a donation bin for “Community Aid.”  This organization, established in 2009 is a faith-based 501 (c) 3, non-profit organization, whose primary focus is to raise funds for distribution to local schools, churches, synagogues, and nonprofit charitable organizations.   Why does St. Edward’s have a bin in their lot?  For all clothing and shoes donations that we collect in the bin, we will receive 4 cents/pound.  In addition to that, by partnering with Community Aid, we are able to help the wider community through our collections in two ways:  By supplying their centers with goods to sell and our partnership enables us to receive “Care Cards” that allow the church to help those in need, with clothing and shoes needs, at the Community Aid stores.  In addition to these features, after one year of partnership, St. Edward’s will be allowed to apply for a grant, up to $5,000 for a service project within our community of faith, the wider community, or for a need we may have.  The Community Aid partnership seems to have successfully found a way to involve the entire community in a full circle approach to making a difference in our community with the bin for donations, collection by their support team of donated goods that go to the centers (there is one on Good Drive/Columbia Avenue), to the re-dispersing profits back into the community and the non-profit organizations that partner with them all in the spirit of community support.  Please consider, when you come to church on Sunday’s, to donate your clothing and shoes to the bin in the St. Edward’s lot.  It will enable us to help the community and it is an excellent way to add to our fundraising each year and it will enable us to consider a grant opportunity for St. Edward’s.

Stewardship Campaign 2016: Prayer & Voices – Mrs. Dottie Gschwend

Mrs. Dottie Gschwend – Christian Formation Teacher

Each week we will have the opportunity to listen in on a St. Edward’s parishioner sharing their story about what the ministry of St. Edward’s has meant to them. This week, the reflection is offered by Mrs. Dottie Gschwend.  Each week in the all-parish email a link will be posted for you to click to listen to the recording. Listeners are encouraged to meditate on these precious words and stories shared, and pray the prayers for stewardship provided each week by the spirituality ministry. Share and like these on Facebook and other social media outlets, email the links to your friends.

Stewardship Prayer for the week of March 13th:

Heavenly Father, thank you for the light of your Word; the light that dispels darkness so that we can walk confidently and securely in this life. Help us to not only live by your Light, but to share it with those who experience darkness. Amen.

Stewardship Campaign 2016: Prayer & Voices – Dr. Randy Westgate

Dr. Randy Westgate – Praise Band Leader

Each week we will have the opportunity to listen in on a St. Edward’s parishioner sharing their story about what the ministry of St. Edward’s has meant to them. This week, the reflection is offered by Dr. Randy Westgate.  Each week in the all-parish email a link will be posted for you to click to listen to the recording. Listeners are encouraged to meditate on these precious words and stories shared, and pray the prayers for stewardship provided each week by the spirituality ministry. Share and like these on Facebook and other social media outlets, email the links to your friends.

Stewardship Prayer for the week of March 6th:

Bountiful God.  You have been so generous to us, help us be generous to others. Your love is unconditional, help us to love others with open hearts. Your gifts are never ending, help us to pass them on joyfully. Your mercy is infinite, help us to forgive those who have injured us. Your grace is never-ending, help us give glory to you in all we do. Your wisdom is boundless, help us choose Your way in all we do today. We pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

 

Stewardship Campaign 2016 Prayer & Voices: Bishop Scanlan

The Right Reverend Audrey Cady Scanlan

Each week we will have the opportunity to listen in on a St. Edward’s parishioner sharing their story about what the ministry of St. Edward’s has meant to them. Beginning with the reflection offered by our Bishop, Audrey Scanlan, each week in the all-parish email a link will be posted for you to click to listen to the recording. Listeners are encouraged to meditate on these precious words and stories shared, and pray the prayers for stewardship provided each week by the spirituality ministry. Share and like these on Facebook and other social media outlets, email the links to your friends.

Stewardship Prayer for the week of February 28th:

Dear Lord,
I pray that You give me the wisdom to guide me on this faith journey of stewardship. Help me to understand that everything I have is a gift from You. Open up my heart and my mind so that I may use these marvelous gifts to give back to You here on earth. I pray Lord that You welcome me into Your kingdom at the end of my life and that You are pleased with what I have done with all Your Gifts.  Amen.

 

St. Edward’s Is Open!

What a storm!  St. Edward’s went from a sea of snow, to mountains of snow!  But, the snowplow crew has done a great job in making room for plenty of parking and accessibility to the church, for all.  So, please do not hesitate to stop by and to come to services, tomorrow (Wednesday) and this Sunday!  And please remember our Men’s Group-sponsored event on Saturday at 9 AM.  Click here for details on that event.

St. Edward’s Men’s Group Presents: Guest Speaker David W. Shenk, PhD – Eastern Mennonite Mission on January 30, 2016

St. Edward’s Men’s Group Presents:
The Church in Lively Convergence and Divergence with the Muslim Movement
Challenges and Opportunities
Guest speaker
David W. Shenk, PhD
Eastern Mennonite Mission

In this time of international, political, and social distrust, it is beholden of people of faith or no faith to engage in inter-religious and inter-faith dialogue. On Saturday, the 30th January, the Men’s Group of St. Edward’s is sponsoring an event we hope will encourage just that. We have invited Mr. David Shenk, PhD of Eastern Mennonite Mission, to speak on Christian – Muslim relationships.

Dr. Shenk has been working in the field of Muslim Christian relationships for over forty years, and in a presentation titled: The Church in Lively Convergence and Divergence with the Muslim Movement: Challenges and Opportunities, he will share his knowledge and experience.

The programme will begin at 9am with coffee and welcome. Dr. Shenk will speak for an hour beginning at 9:30; there will be a thirty minute period for question and answer, and the programme will end at 11 am. The event is open to the Episcopal churches of the Lancaster Convocation and we ask that you RSVP to the St. Edward’s office by Thursday 28th January. We hope you can attend.

Saturday 30th January 2016
9 am – 11 am
RSVP: [email protected] by January 28 2016
St. Edward’s Episcopal Church
2453 Harrisburg Pike | Lancaster, PA 17601