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November 2012

christchurchguilford.org

November - A Month of Thanksgiving


Of course, giving thanks is an integral part of our worship of Almighty God. The Prayer Book guides us in giving thanks to God for our creation, preservation and all of the blessings of this life, for [Gods] immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace and the hope of glory.(p.101) In November our thanks take on particular focus: As the month begins, we give thanks for the fellowship of all the saints, that great cloud of witnesses which surrounds and supports us. In November, we give thanks for our life as a nation: we go to the polls on November 6 to participate in the peaceful process of electing our leaders, and later in the month we celebrate our national Thanksgiving holiday. This November, we will also give thanks for our Opening our Doors campaign. As November draws to a close, the Tree Lighting on the Green will be another occasion for us to give thanks for our Town of Guilford, its traditions and good spirit. And yes, by a fluke of the calendar, the Tree Lighting is November 30th this year! All Saints is a favorite Holy Day for me. I love the great hymns about our participation in the fellowship of All the Saints, and I treasure the article of faith that we participate in a fellowship that bridges time and space, that gathers the living and the dead into one great fellowship of love. As part of our celebration on All Saints Sunday, November 4, we will baptize new saints into our fellowship and name those dear to us who have joined the saints in light during the past year. Their names and others you would like to include -- will be recalled in the prayers that day and during the All Faithful Departed Recollection, the evening before. We will gather in the chancel at 6 p.m. on Saturday, November 3, for a time of prayer and story-telling about dear ones who have died. On All Saints Sunday, we will also give thanks for our Opening our Doors campaign. We will give thanks for the generous response of so many of the saints, and for all the saints who helped host the campaigns occasions of gracious hospitality. We will also give thanks for the doors to new, and renewed, hospitality which the campaign is opening in our midst. As I never tire of saying, hospitality is both the message and method for our campaign: As we open our doors to Christ, we open them to all who seek him here. In addition to voting on November 6, we will mark our national Thanksgiving holiday with two observances: This years Inter-faith Thanksgiving Service will be hosted by St. Andrews Episcopal Church, on Durham Road in Madison on Sunday, November 18 at 4p.m. Choir members from the wider community
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of faith in Guilford and Madison are being invited to provide music from their respective traditions. An offering for the Guilford and Madison food banks will be received Then on Thanksgiving Day itself, therell be an excuse to take a break from meal preparations: At 10a.m. those of us in town may gather to sing the great hymns of Thanksgiving and to offer the Great Thanksgiving of the Holy Eucharist. After the service, I will host an open house in the Rectory with a bit of beverage and finger food appropriate to the day. I look forward to giving thanks with you this November for all Gods mercies and blessings. Blessings, Harrison+

Enjoy our Victory Celebration!


Sunday, Nov. 4 - After 10:00 Service in the Parish Hall
A Very Special Parish Event
Tea Sandwiches Fruit Salad Celebration Cakes Punch & Coffee Our Victory Celebration marks the official completion of our Opening the Doors Capital Fund Raising Campaign. This celebration is an opportunity to say Thank-You to everyone for your hard work and generosity. Our talented Howlers will provide musical entertainment and Campaign Results will be announced.

We may be Closing the Campaign, but Our Doors are Always Open! Everyone is invited. Please Come. We will have babysitting and pizza for the kids

Opening the Doors means Hospitality


The Rectorys Doors have been open so much since September - we could easily believe, despite its historic age and authentic exterior restoration, that someone had installed a REVOLVING door! Campaign Hospitality Events started in late September, often with two or three events scheduled in a week. All parishioners were invited to share the Rectorys warmth and the culinary delights provided by various parish organizations. Weve enjoyed dinners, brunches, suppers, pizzas and even an afternoon high tea. The downstairs and Harrisons home above the store were open to everyone -- and everyone who came enjoyed food, fun and fellowship. We even managed to take a few minutes to discuss our campaign to accomplish the parish's three capital goals: Project a warm welcome by re-painting the parish house and chancel exterior; convert the Church and Rectory heating systems for efficiency and costsavings; and retire the rectory restoration funding and complete its refurbishment -- including a weather-tight front door!
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Sunday School News


Our Sunday School has been galloping along since we began meeting this year. To begin, we've had a bit of a reorganization ... now that our painting crew finished turning some of our unused, dingy space into bright and usable classrooms, we've been able to stretch out a bit. We've divided our classes into smaller groups thanks in part to the additional rooms, but also an additional teacher. Richard Marvin, everyone's favorite announcement-maker (!), has joined the ranks as a teacher for the 2nd-3rd grade class along with Melissa Perez and Linda Reich. Welcome Richard! Thanks to our kids for lending their beautiful voices to the Capital Campaign kick-off event. It was a quite a day for everyone - food, crafts, games and even a bouncy house. We had a family visiting the Sunday School for the first time that Sunday who were quite impressed by the activity (I told them we always have this much fun!). Although things got a little more quiet on the following Sunday, we still play and learn together in the same warm and joyful atmosphere as we had on September 30. Looking ahead to November, we will be sharing information on our Thanksgiving food drive soon. Also, mark your calendars (and your greens!) for the Advent Wreath Workshop, scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 25. This is a great family event that is a wonderful way to begin the Advent season. Lisa Ste. Marie, Director of Sunday School

Your Gift Commitment is Needed!


We have NOT reached our $300,000 goal yet, but we are getting very CLOSE. Achieving it is now within our reach! If you havent made a gift commitment yet, NOW is the time. Your participation is needed and gratefully appreciated.

Campaign Gift Commitment Cards are available in the back of the church and in the parish office. Mail them in or place them in our campaign gift box located in the back of the church.

Blessing of the Animals An Interfaith Celebration on the Green in honor of St. Francis.
Harrison, Pastor Norris from First Congregational and Fr. Shanley and Fr. Smith from St. Georges shared the Blessing on the Green with their parishioners, friends, dogs, goat and cats.left: Blessing Bob Donahues dog. right: Boone, Harrisons dog and boone companion, receives a blessing. Sheward gives a helping hand. 3

Crop Walk: CEC Members Walk to Help Feed the Hungry


On a rainy Sunday afternoon on Columbus Day weekend, Page Pelphrey and a number of her junior high school class members took part in the 5-mile Crop Walk. They walked from the Guilford Green to the Madison Green to raise money to help feed the hungry. Once again, David Kish was our representative for the Crop Walk program. One of his many duties was to set up tables and chairs on the Green that were used by the churches in Guilford to sign up members for the yearly fund-raiser. Harrison was there to support and see our participants off. The rain did not dampen the spirits of David Provolo, with daughters Ava, Natalie and Eve; Roger Perez and daughters Gabriela, Sofia, and Juliet; Dave and Mitra Kish, with daughter Mariam and son Andre; and Fred and Ann Brunetti with sons James and John. Other walkers seen along the way were John Baringer, who led the way through most of the walk, Dirck and Liz Goss, Natalia Provolo, and Colin Slavtcheff. Thank you to all who pledged money to the walkers -- you helped them "feed the world of hungry people."

Youth Group to Make and Sell Christmas

Wreaths

The junior high class will once again decorate and sell Christmas wreaths for Guilfords annual Christmas tree lighting on the Green on Friday, November 30, starting at 4 p.m. Jen McShane launched this very popular fund-raiser about 4 years ago. The youngsters will meet in the rectory on Thursday, November 29, to work on decorating about 25 wreaths. All kinds of decorations will be used - from Mother Natures pine cones, to all kinds of man-made items, or, if you like, just a beautiful bow. Diane Link will lend her wonderful bow-making talent -- couple that with the imagination of Page Pelphreys class and you will find it tough to choose which one you will take home to adorn your home for the holidays. Get there early; they go fast! All funds go to support the youth group's programs. Patti Slavtcheff and a group of volunteers will sell hot chocolate at the wreath stands. Please stop by. Buy a wreath and then buy a hot chocolate to keep you warm during the tree lighting. The youth of Christ Episcopal Church thank you for your continued support of their inreach/outreach programs. --Sue Shackford
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Greetings from ECW


The October meeting was held on Thursday, October 11. Our hostesses were Hope Sperry and Kasha Kingsbury. A delicious carry-in luncheon was enjoyed by all. Many thanks go to Hope and Kasha. Sue Shackford presented a very interesting program based on three European culinary tours she took. Her presentation and pictures were wonderful. Thank you Sue! We are getting ready to host our Fall Military Whist on Friday, November 2. We hope you will join us for this fun event. Tickets, table sponsors, and items for our raffle are needed now. Your support is greatly appreciated. Our popular cookie sale will be held on Friday, November, 30, before and during our parish chili supper. We need the participation of the entire parish in order to provide the wonderful selection of cookies we have had in previous years. This is part of the Town Tree Lighting celebration and is very popular with our parishioners, friends, and neighbors. Check the Sunday bulletin for when, where and what time to bring in your cookies. This project has enabled the E.C.W. to support our many charitable projects. We thank you all in advance, by helping it to be the successful event it has been in previous years! Our Christmas luncheon and Chinese auction will be held at Quattro's Italian Restaurant, 14 Water Street, Guilford, on December 13 at 12 noon. For further information and to make reservations please call Diane W. Link at (203) 458-1806. We hope to see you there. Our next regular meeting will be held on Thursday, November 8, at 11 a.m. with a carry-in luncheon at 12 noon. Our hostesses will be Evelyn Linskey and Diane W. Link. All Christ Episcopal Church women are part of this group. Regular meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at 11 a.m. with a potluck luncheon. We also get together informally every Thursday morning after Bible study at 10:30. We bring our own sandwich, and a weekly hostess provides tea and dessert. Please join us! Barbara Ayotte

A Night Full of Fun - Friday, November 30


Chili, Cookies, Hot Chocolate, Wreaths, and the Christmas Tree Lighting!
Would you believe Advent is right around the corner? Hard to believe! November 30th will be the Tree-Lighting on the Green and the Guilford Candlelight Stroll on Broad Street. Here at Christ Church we know that also means serving our famous Chili Supper plus selling Wreaths and the ECW's Cookie Sale! Mark your calendars and watch for further notices. Well be looking for your help - making cookies, helping with the supper, collecting decorations for the wreaths, and of course, ENJOYING THE EVENING!
Please contact Diane Link (203-458-1806) if you have ribbon or other decorations we can use for the wreaths.

Chili Supper and Cookie Sales: 5 -7 p.m. -- Parish Hall


Wreath Sale -- in Rectory Garage Hot Chocolate -- sold outside (Will keep you warm during the Tree Lighting on the Green!)
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October 2012 Vestry Meeting Highlights


At its meeting on Wednesday, October 10, in the Rectory living room, the Vestry: Accepted with regret the resignation of Jean Meiselman, who is moving to Florida for a year. The Vestry will appoint a person to fill her term until the Annual Parish meeting. Buildings and Grounds -- the rotting stairs and railings at the side of the parish hall were replaced in time for the Opening the Doors kickoff celebration; the new gas line running down Park Street will installed soon [Editors note: Done!]; the new boiler for the church and parish house has been installed and is ready to be hooked up to the gas line; the oil tanks will be pumped out and the oil donated to the Guilford Fuel Fund, with priority to be given to members of our parish in need [Done]; the ceiling fans in the church will be cleaned soon [Done]. Pat Daunic reported on the status of the Capital Campaign -- campaign brochures have been assembled for parishioners who have not yet made a gift commitment; several people have been trained to make phone calls and home visits; the large crowd attending the kickoff celebration could not have fit in the parish hall. Discussed and adopted the priorities recommended by the Finance Committee for gifts generated by the Opening the Doors campaign for the Capital Fund. As funds are received they will be allocated to loan payments; refunding advances from the Operating Fund for heating conversion costs; replacing the leaky front door of the rectory; paying down the loan from the Guilford Preservation Alliance due in August 2013; repainting the parish hall and chancel exterior; paying down the principal on the diocesan loan and the loans from the Endowment; and completing the refurbishment of the rectory. [At the November 4 Victory Celebration, there will be an exciting announcement about how many of these priorities we are already able to address. --Ed.] Gave permissionto the Rector toadd additional fencing and gates tosecure the rectory backyard for his dog, Boone.

Giving Thanks Together An Inter-Faith Musical Service


The Madison-Guilford Interfaith Clergy Association announces its annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration on Sunday, November 18th at 4:00 pm. at St. Andrews Episcopal Church at 232 Durham Road in Madison. The service, "Giving Thanks Together," will focus on music that reflects the religious diversity of our Madison and Guilford community. In addition to the music there will also be readings, and pictures of community projects and international service. Attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to the service. All food collected will be distributed equally to the Madison and Guilford food pantries. There will also be a monetary offering collected and the proceeds split evenly between these same organizations. We hope to see you on November 18th at 4:00 pm!
The Madison-Guilford Interfaith Clergy Association is an interfaith fellowship of religious leaders whose members reflect a wide variety of religious traditions and come together in an atmosphere of mutual respect and support. 6

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Rehearsal

2:00p.m.

Victory Celebration

7:30p.m.

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Workshop

Christ Episcopal Church P O Box 574 Guilford, CT 06437

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Guilford, CT 06437 Permit Number 1

Change Service Requested

GLAD TIDINGS

November, 2012

Christ Episcopal Church 11 Park Street Guilford, Connecticut

Glad Tidings

November - a month full of Celebration and Activities


Military Whist - Friday, Nov. 2, opens at 6:00 p.m., games at 7:00 Commemorating the Faithfully-Departed - Nov. 3, at 6:00 p.m. Victory Celebration - Sunday, Nov. 4, after the 10:00 service Inter-faith Thanksgiving Service - Nov. 18, at 4 p.m. at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Madison Thanksgiving Day - Nov. 22, Service at 10:00 p.m. Advent Wreath Workshop Nov. 25, after the 10:00 service Chili Supper - Friday, Nov. 30, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. includes: cookies, hot chocolate and wreath sale

The Rev. Harrison West Rector harrisoncec@snet.net 203-453-2279 Carol Iovanna Senior Warden cgrant05@snet.net 203-453-2009 Pat Wakefield Parish Administrator cecsec@snet.net 203-453-2279 Diane Barker Managing Editor RunSlo@aol.com 203-457-9484 Pat Daunic Graphic Design

THANKSGIVING NOV. 22nd


Sunday Services
8 a.m. HE, Rite I Service


10 a.m. HE, Rite II Service with Hymns

SERVICE AT 10:00 A.M. OPEN HOUSE AFTER SERVICE 9 a.m. Rectory Forum 9:30 a.m. Childrens Chapel followed by Sunday School

A DIOCESAN CONVENTION DIARY


Kay Claiborn, the Rev. Harrison West and I (Jean Valentine) gathered with around 600 other clergy and lay delegates for the 228th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut, on Friday and Saturday, October 19 and 20, at the Downtown Marriott Hotel in Hartford, CT. The Convention theme was GODS MISSION: Claiming, Equipping, Sending Leaders . The whole Convention was set in the context of worship, and so we began with singing and prayers. We sat at tables of eight which gave us an opportunity to meet, discuss and share with members of other parishes; an otherwise overwhelming gathering was made surprisingly intimate. Bishop Laura Aherns led the first Bible study on the Old Testament reading from Exodus 3. Our table discussions focused on claiming our gifts for ministry. Everyones name tag was then embellished with symbols of those gifts by another person at the table. The afternoon session began with nominations and approvals to fill vacancies before the next convention. Newly ordained Deacons and Transitional Deacons were introduced. A report on the Bishops Fund for Children was made; this mission is an on-going effort. Bishop Ian Douglas then introduced the Rt. Rev. Mano Rumalshah, Retired Bishop of Pershawar, Pakistan. (Note: Bishop Rumalshah was the keynote speaker at ECWs annual meeting in May). Pershawar is on the Afghanistan border; the majority of the population is split between the Taliban and Al Queda. It is a difficult place to be Christian. The Bishop spoke about the destroying of many, many churches. He stated that relationship is much more than money. He brought greetings and asked for prayers for his people. Bishop James Curry led the next Bible study focused on the Epistle reading from Colossians 3. The main question was, what does it mean to be equipped? The Apostle speaks of many different gifts shared within the one body of Christian fellowship. He tells us to clothe yourselves with Gods gifts for mission. Bishop Douglas then spoke about the changing understandings of Gods Mission from missions, to the mission of the church, to Gods Mission having a church. He then went on to state God Commissions us to join the Mission of GOD through the waters of Baptism. We participate in Gods Mission through the Five Marks of Mission found in the baptismal covenant: - Worship & Prayer -- teaching, baptizing and nurturing new believers; - Repentance & Forgiveness -- resisting evil and safeguarding the integrity of Creation; - Evangelism proclaiming the Good News of God in Christ; - Service -- responding to human need through loving service; and, -Justice & Peace -- seeking to transform unjust structures of society. Much of his presentation can be found in our Dioceses new magazine, Crux, in both its print and on-line versions. Bishop Douglas then spoke of the changing State of our Diocese and its 171 parishes and worshipping communities. He encouraged us to refer to OUR rather than The Diocese, because without our local congregations there is no diocese. The work to relocate Diocesan House from a residential neighborhood where it is not welcome continues. As does the work of discernment for the future of the Cathedral and Bishop Seabury Church. A renewed process of discernment and formation is ready for those offering themselves for ordination to the priesthood. Bishop Douglas concluded: The State of Diocese is one of change. Indeed, the word Change was often used on Friday. We considered two resolutions before Fridays session concluded with prayer. 1. Clergy Compensation proposing a 1% Cost of Living adjustment was accepted. 2. 2013 Budget anticipating decreased revenue, more staff changes, and a reduced pledge to the Episcopal Churchs General budget, was adopted as proposed. Saturday mornings session moved to the sub-theme of Equipping us for Gods Mission. After opening songs and prayers, our deputation to the Episcopal Churchs General Convention in reported on last summers meeting in Indianapolis, including, the changing expectations for support of the General Church budget, the intiatives for doing the General Churchs essential work in more efficient ways, the Churchs witness for peace in the Palestinian territories, and in Sudan, and the Churchs response to poverty. As in our Diocese, conversations about offering communion to the un-baptized affirmed the Prayer Books teaching. General Convention did not come to consensus about the proposed Anglican Covenant, but it did about the report I will bless you and you will be a blessing. This report provides study and liturgical resources for use where the blessing of same-gender relationships and marriages are permitted as in Connecticut. A large youth presence gave witness to the equipping ministry of Camp Washingtons summer programs. Camp Washington is our diocesan camp and conference facility. After Bible study on a Gospel message of Sending, we shared a very moving communion at each table: the parish-made Eucharistic bread was broken and shared before lunch and the cup of wine was passed from one to another after lunch.

Saturdays agenda also included consideration of the remaining resolutions: 3. Episcopate proposing a diocese-wide study on models of leadership needed for the Diocese of Connecticut, adopted as amended. 4. Endowment Accountability after much discussion and several proposed amendments, the resolution was sent to committee for study to be reported to the next convention. 5. Program of Action for the Social Justice and Advocacy Committee adopted with a request for a contact person in every parish. (Who might that be at Christ Church?)

6. A Circle of Protection Called for a circle of protection around programs which aid the poor and vulnerable, adopted with a recommendation that convention members, and parish members in general, write to elected officials about their concern. Convention closed with singing, moving intercessory prayers, blessing and Sending one another in the power of the Spirit. It was an exhausting but interesting convention. Delegate Rhoda Whitman was unable to attend, and I served as her elected alternate.

Jean Valentine Alternate Delegate 2012

Under the Big Tent - Our Capital Campaign Begins


Just as parishioners were getting their coffee and finding a seat - arriving for our outdoor Campaign Kickoff, the sun came out. Weather predictions had been dreary for September 30, but under our yellow and white striped tent, everyone had bright smiles and warm hearts. The Sunday School children sang songs, the Middle School class gave us a shivering performance of our future without a new heating system, Pat Daunic (our Campaign Chair) introduced our Opening the Doors campaign with additional information provided by Carol Iovanna (Senior Warden), Gene Bishop (our Junior Warden), and Ed Seibert (Treasurer). Harrison closed the presentations by reminding us of Christs call to us: Behold I stand at the door and knock ..." Our hospitality to Christ, and to all who seek him here, depend on us to Open our Doors! Then the music started, the barbecued pulled-pork was piled onto waiting plates and everyone enjoyed celebrating hospitality together. Both children and adults ended the kickoff celebration with brownie ice cream sundaes served by our Vestry. And where were the kids before devouring their sundaes? They were busy inside the parish house enjoying mac & cheese, face painting, movies or playing in a moon bounce placed in the back yard. The Kickoff began our Opening the Doors campaign. Its energy, and your participation, will bring the campaign to a successful conclusion. Many thanks to Ted Ervin and Meg Formica for their enthusiastic Kickoff leadership (We couldnt have done it without them!), to Jane Farell and her team of callers (EVERYONE in the parish received a call inviting them to this event.), to Diane Barker for helping with the mailings, to Lisa Ste. Marie (and ALL the Sunday School teachers) for their support with the children and the fun skits, to Diane Link for her beautiful decorations and kickoff support, and to everyone who gave a hand where needed. Your participation made the day a success.

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