The Week of August 2, 2020
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A Gift From St. John's Children: This Little Light
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A few months ago, the children sang “This Little Light of Mine” at St. John’s. We thought we could use that light now more than ever during these challenging times, so the children created a song video. A heartfelt "thank you" to all who participated. Enjoy!
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ECCT eNEWS UPDATE
Connecticut House Passes Historic Police Reform Bill
The state House of Representatives passed a sweeping police reform bill by an 86-58 margin Friday morning after a long and passionate overnight debate. The state Senate is scheduled to debate the bill next week. The wide-ranging bill covers government immunity for police, justified use of deadly force and would give more power to civilians to review police actions.
Republican legislators put forth an amendment that would have stripped the governmental immunity change from bill from the final draft, but it was defeated in a tie 72-72 vote, with seven legislators not voting.
Prior to the passing of the bill, Connecticut faith leaders and communities have been amplifying support for police accountability, including the Episcopal Church in Connecticut.
Check out this article here.
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In-Person Services Continue
This Sunday at 9:00 AM
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Dear Parish Family:
We will continue this coming Sunday with
one morning outdoor service at 9:00 AM
, weather permitting. In case of rain we will meet in the Parish Hall.
Reservations will no longer be required.
I'm looking forward to continuing this opportunity for live worship. As a reminder, no one 65 and over, or anyone with compromising health considerations, should attend on any rainy days when we need to be indoors. Your safety and your well-being are our first consideration as we continue to live under the threat of Covid19. We will be sure to send out an email to alert you if the weather requires us to be inside.
Please keep our parish family in your prayers as we cautiously move forward with this phase of reopening.
Blessings and Grace,
Fr. Wilfredo Benitez
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(1) Please bring an electronic device to enable you to read the bulletin using the church’s WiFi. or
(2) Print your bulletin at home. For everyone’s safety, if you choose to print the bulletin at home, please be sure to take your personal copy with you at the end of the service.
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We have been enjoying our outdoor services these past Sundays. For those who are able to, please join us following all the protocols outlined below.
All of these measures are in keeping with CDC guidelines, the Governor’s office, and the Episcopal Church in Connecticut.
1. All parishioners joining us for worship are asked to wear a face mask at all times. Upon arriving at the church, temperatures will be taken as a safety precaution, for those who wish their temperatures taken. We strongly recommend this practice.
2. At this time we are planning for an outdoor Sunday Spiritual Eucharist at 9:00AM. No Communion will be distributed at this service. Seating will be six feet apart.
Reservations are not necessary for this outdoor service since we have plenty of space to keep the required social distancing.
3. During worship there will be no singing by congregants, and no bulletins will be distributed. We encourage parishioners to bring their own copy of the Book of Common Prayer, or
download the liturgy in PDF form from the internet
. We will be using Prayers of the People Form III, and Eucharist Prayer B. One Choir Singer will be singing at the service, accompanied by Chris Shepherd on the piano.
4. Hand washing is encouraged when arriving at the church.
5. Hand sanitizer will be available.
6. Social Distancing (six feet) should be observed at all times. Physical contact of any type is strongly discouraged.
7. There will be no Coffee Hour, and no socializing before or after services.
8. It is recommended that persons 65 or older, or anyone with compromising health conditions, should avoid live worship for their own safety. We will do our best to continue observing safe practices, and we will do our best to continue offering worship online.
9. Sunday School will continue online. There will be no live Sunday School for children or youth at the Church during this phase of re-opening.
10. Offices will remain closed, however limited appointments can be set-up with the clergy, or other staff members. Staff will continue to work mostly from home.
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All group activities at St. John's, apart from the Sunday morning in-person services, remain canceled until further notice,. These include outside groups and ministries using our facilities.
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NOTE: We will continue to provide an online version of the Sunday service even as we begin our partial reopening.
Here are some tips for viewing the service online
this coming Sunday morning:
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Eighth Sunday After Pentecost
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St. John's continues to broadcast the services via Facebook, YouTube and on the home page of the website.
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Children & Teen Video Chat
Sundays at 10 AM!
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This Sunday at 10:00 AM
Join Zoom Meeting:
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Further Resources for our Children and Youth
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Resources for kids - Yoga at home!
Rev. Gena Davis is the priest who led the yoga mass at St. John’s. She’s been offering online classes, including a new yoga nidra for kids age 2-12 for $5/family! For all class details, please e-mail her at
Thank you for sharing these Mattie!
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Tuesday Bible Study: Gospel of Matthew
Note new Zoom link
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Join Fr. Sandy on Tuesdays at 2pm online via Zoom for a Bible Study on the Gospel of Matthew. Below is the info:
Meeting ID: 243 991 8700
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A Prayer for the Healing of Racial Tensions, and Justice.
Source: Catholic Charities
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God of justice, In your wisdom you create all people in your image, without exception. Through your goodness, open our eyes to see the dignity, beauty, and worth of every human being. Open our minds to understand that all your children are brothers and sisters in the same human family. Open our hearts to repent of racist attitudes, behaviors, and speech which demean others. Open our ears to hear the cries of those wounded by racial discrimination, and their passionate appeals for change. Strengthen our resolve to make amends for past injustices and to right the wrongs of history. And fill us with courage that we might seek to heal wounds, build bridges, forgive and be forgiven, and establish peace and equality for all in our communities. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
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Prayers for our parishioners
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UPDATE
A 10 lb watermelon was delivered to the Food Bank this week. Our YTD total is now 626 lbs.
The Food Bank of Lower Fairfield remains in desperate need for donations.
Please continue to help in any way you can.
Thank you
Sunny Stearns
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A Prayer in a Time of Coronavirus
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Click on the banner below to read the prayer
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Dear Parish Family:
Faced with the unfortunate circumstances of having to keep our church closed, in order to help curb the spread of Covid-19, it is imperative that your pledge be either mailed to the church, or better yet, that you
make your donations electronically
. Please see the instructions below on how to do this.
Our expenses won’t go away even if we’re not having live worship, so I ask that we all be mindful of this. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Ms. Kathy McBride, our Parish Administrator. Our vestry, and parish family, will be much appreciative for your efforts.
God’s Grace and Peace,
Fr. Wilfredo+
NOTE:
You can simply mail in your check to the church office if you would rather not use the online giving tool. Our Parish Administrator, Kathy McBride, is receiving the mail and doing the banking as usual.
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Have You Seen These Services?
Click on any of the images below to watch and listen
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Eighth Sunday After Pentecost
-July 26
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Seventh Sunday After Pentecost
- July 19
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NOTE: The Community Thrift Shop is closed to the public until further notice due to COVID 19.
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All group activity at St. John's is cancelled until further notice including outside groups and ministries using our facilities.
Stay updated with meditations, readings, music and sermons by visiting our
Facebook page
or our
website
.
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St. John's Office Hours
The Church office is currently closed to public access.
However you may leave a message at 203-348-2619 x10 -
our Parish Administrator, Kathy McBride is checking the messages
many times a day and will respond right away!
Prayer List
FORWARD DAY BY DAY
This is the Episcopal Church's own discipleship publication! As disciples, followers of Christ, daily prayer and reflection grounds us in God's love and gives us strength and clarity to confront our weaknesses, put our trust in God and listen to where God is calling us to serve.
Available online
for-free!
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