May 28, 2020
This coming Sunday is the feast day of Pentecost, the celebration of the gift of the Holy Spirit, the birthday of the Church, and the invitation to breathe God’s power out into the world. Ironically, the first line from Sunday’s scripture reading in the Acts of the Apostles (2:1) is, “When the day of Pentecost had come, the disciples were all together in one place.” It’s still jarring for me, even after 11 weeks of life outside our church building, to not be together for yet another Feast Day. But our call for this Pentecost remains the same, with or without the building. We are called to joyfully serve others. To continue to pray for one another and the world. To grow in love. To carry the light of Christ into the world’s dark places. The power of the Holy Spirit inspired Jesus’ disciples to go out into the world, and that same power sustains us now.
God of all power and love, we give thanks for your unfailing presence and the hope you provide in times of uncertainty and loss. Send your Holy Spirit to enkindle in us your holy fire. Revive us to live as Christ’s body in the world: a people who pray, worship, learn, break bread, share life, heal neighbors, bear good news, seek justice, rest and grow in the Spirit. Wherever and however we gather, unite us in common prayer and send us in common mission, that we and the whole creation might be restored and renewed, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Announcements
As our Governor gradually allows small outdoor gatherings and more businesses begin to open up, we are studying possible ways for us to gather again, in person. Of course, everyone’s safety is the primary concern, and our guiding principle is maintaining the inclusive nature of our worshipping community. So for now, that means we will continue to live-stream our worship every Sunday morning (with beautiful MUSIC being offered by our organist, Jim Little beginning this week!), and continue our mid-week worship at Noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Children’s Compline on Wednesdays at 7pm. Our committee to study the possibility of “re-gathering” has met once already and will continue to meet weekly. We are guided by our Diocesan Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Carlye Hughes, the Governor’s executive orders, and the medical community’s understanding of COVID19.
To hear the Bishop’s most recent thoughts on keeping our churches a safe haven, please click here.
Both Rev. Mary and Rev. Ellen miss their catch up conversations with parishioners after church, at coffee hour, in the hallway, and before meetings. If you would like to talk with either one of them about life, your spiritual ponderings, get a referral for a counselor, or anything else, sign up and we can be in touch! If would you like to chat but are unable to make the time slot, please reach out to either Mary or Ellen.
For time with Rev. Mary click here.
For time with Rev. Ellen: click here.
Do you know someone in our parish who does not have an on-line presence? Please let Rev. Mary know so we can reach out by phone or letter.
Summer Sundays! On Sunday mornings, our worship will continue at 10am, with Zoom coffee hour at 10:30am – and at 11:00am we will begin a June Adult Education session called, “Embracing Evangelism.” This series will explore our call to seek, name, and celebrate Jesus’ loving presence in the stories of all people. Please join us for our first session, June 7th.
Feeding the Hungry! Can you help?
With so many unemployed or furloughed from work, there is a hunger emergency throughout New Jersey, Chatham included. There are multiple ways you can help:
Chatham Borough resident Joann Carroll's “Helping Hands” initiative. She is collecting funds via check, Venmo, or QuickPay with Zelle and/or $25 Shop Rite gift cards to distribute to anyone in need of food at this time. Contact Joann at gjcarroll@optonline.net or 201-988-9070 if you can help. These gift cards are distributed on Wednesdays at the Chatham Middle School parking lot for families who receive reduced/free lunches through the School District.
In addition, boxes of produce, milk, eggs, bread, bag lunches and masks are distributed on Wednesdays (to anyone in need, not just families of school age children) from 11am – 12:30pm in the driveway of Chatham United Methodist Church. Here’s how you can help with this distribution:
- Boxcar’s CEO Joe Colangelo is gathering boxes of produce, milk, and eggs from various grocers. You may donate a box of produce by clicking the link: https://platform.boxcarapp.com/listings/320/reserve.
- Help, in person, with distribution on Wednesdays from 11am – 12:30pm (contact Rev. Mary to sign-up): Mask and gloves required.
- Donate/Loan a pop-up tent for use in bad weather.Donate $25 Shop Rite gift cards – slide under Office door.
Thank you for any and all help you can offer at this time!
Additional Outreach Information
Our Vestry voted to continue donating 2020 Outreach funds to organizations in need. This month, we voted to offer $2000 to Cross Roads Camp and Retreat Center. Due to the nature of COVID19, which includes both known and unknown characteristics, Cross Roads Camp has had to suspend its in-person summer program leaving them without any income. Cross Roads is an important ministry partner in our Diocese, a ministry that needs any and all support to get through the months ahead. If you would like to make an additional donation, please see their website, www.crossroadsretreat.com.
We also invite your in-kind donations to North Porch, the Morris County Interfaith Food Pantry, and your used/discarded Ipads or Iphones to our own parishioners, The Mason Family, who are repurposing them for use in isolation hospital units (email Simon Mason to arrange for drop off details simon@themasons.net). North Porch’s great needs right now are: baby wipes, Enfamil formula (12 oz packages w yellow label), and Diapers sizes 4, 5 and 6. Monetary donations may be offered through their website: www.northporch.org or you may purchase items directly from our Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/17M8KS15SFELW?ref_=wl_share
Please ship items to this address: North Porch Women and Infants’ Center, 11 South Bergen St. Dover, NJ 07801
Finally and importantly, if you are in need of gift cards for groceries or other basics, do not hesitate to reach out to Rev. Mary (rector@stpaulschatham.org).
Have a graduate in your house?
We want to celebrate them – ALL of them! Help us make sure our list is complete by emailing the office asap so we can be sure to include all our high school and college graduates in our plans. office@stpaulschatham.org
Adult Education and Conversation
As we enter the summer season, we have concluded our Saturday morning Bible Study but will begin a June series on Zoom entitled: “Embracing Evangelism.” Yes, Evangelism. It’s not a word we never use much in the Episcopal tradition, and yet this series will help us explore our call to seek, name, and celebrate Jesus’ loving presence in the stories of all people. More details to come next week.
Forward Movement's Resources for Prayer
Forward Day by Day
Missing the Forward Day by Day booklets? Click here for an online version of the daily meditations. We have yet to receive our physical copies of the May-July booklets, but will let you know when they are available for pick-up.
Finally they have arrived! If you'd like a copy they will be in a small basket just inside the side door.
Mental Health Resources
A message from our Bishop, The Rt. Rev. Carlye J. Hughes: https://dioceseofnewark.org/bishops-vlog/there-no-shame-asking-help
Resources from state mental health organizations:
https://www.nj211.org/mental-health-resources
Resources from Chatham Borough
https://www.chathamborough.org/chatham/About%20Chatham/Tri-Town%20Cares/
Prayers at time of Death
Sadly, because hospitals have barred all visitors including clergy at this time, most deaths in hospitals occur without family present. In the event that you receive a call that a loved one is dying, I have included the PDF, “Prayers to Say Goodbye to a Loved One When Separated.” click here
Hopefully this will not be needed, but please feel free to share this as needed.