Dear Family in Christ,
What a full week it has been since starting as your Rector. On Sunday we had two glorious services to kick start Lent, followed by a successful and joy filled Concert for the Homeless at the First Presbyterian Church located in Cape May. It is always a joy to see many of you supporting events such as this one. There has been good and ample opportunity to meet and begin to build relationship on and off the island.
Morning Prayer has started in the Chapel at 8:30 am and the Lenten Adult Forum,
Life Transformed, The Way of Love has gotten off to a good start. This Wednesday, March 11th, we will explore the word "Pray" as part of our Seven Practices for The Way of Love in Lent.
I am beginning to reach out to each of you to meet and get to know one another. Those who have difficulty getting out and about, have been hospitalized or are in emergent care have been a priority this week and continue. I have made several visitations and consider it a great gift from God that I am blessed with such an opportunity. If I haven't reached you as of yet and you would like me to do so, please do call. I am here for you.
As you may be aware the 236th Convention of the Dioceses of NJ has been postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19, the Coronavirus. The size of the convention is considered a "Mass Gathering" and many of our delegates are over the age of 60 which is a higher risk population.
Given the size of our congregation we are not considered a "Mass Gathering" and therefore will continue to have services and events as planned. As we move into Sunday may we be reminded of the following precautions:
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Precautions at Church
Please consider these Advisory Actions:
- · Please sip from the “Common Cup” at communion. Intinction, the dipping of the bread into the wine, often can increase the possibility of conveying viral infection person to person. (“Sipping” is actually safer than “Dipping”)
- · If this makes you uncomfortable, please feel free to receive just the host. You still get a “full” communion from just receiving in one part (this is called the doctrine of “concomitance”)
- · Please use the disinfectant gel provided in the church as you enter for worship, at the conclusion of the peace and any other time you feel a need
- · Hand washing, and good hand hygiene are always a great idea!
In regard to the sign of Peace: Please know that I will always offer you my hand in peace. It is, at times, the only human touch some one receives through-out their week. I will never deny you of that. I also deeply understand if you are uncomfortable during this time to do the same. I take no personal offense. I ask that if you are uncomfortable during this time that you choose another gesture of peace that you are more comfortable with. Perhaps the Peace sign itself, a hands in prayer sign with a simple nod, a fist or elbow bump, even your hand over your heart with a nod acknowledges the dignity, love and peace we share among one another.
Centering Prayer
Many of you have asked about Centering Prayer. What is it? Why do it? What's the benefit?
“Prayer is not a request for God’s favours…Genuine prayer is based on recognizing the Origin of all that exists, and opening ourselves to it.”
~Cynthia Bourgeault
"Centering Prayer is a method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, prayer in which we experience God's presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. This method of prayer is both a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that relationship.
Centering Prayer is not meant to replace other kinds of prayer. Rather, it adds depth of meaning to all prayer and facilitates the movement from more active modes of prayer — verbal, mental or affective prayer — into a receptive prayer of resting in God. Centering Prayer emphasizes prayer as a personal relationship with God and as a movement beyond conversation with Christ to communion with Him.
The source of Centering Prayer, as in all methods leading to contemplative prayer, is the Indwelling Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The focus of Centering Prayer is the deepening of our relationship with the living Christ. The effects of Centering Prayer are ecclesial, as the prayer tends to build communities of faith and bond the members together in mutual friendship and love.
-Thomas Keating
Looking forward to Lent II and beyond.
Blessings,
Mo. Allison+
AllisonLaGreca@gmail.com
551-697-6133
Readings for Sunday:
Week of March 8th:
Monday:
Finance Committee Meeting 5:00pm
Tuesday:
Morning Prayer at 8:30 am (chapel)
Wednesday:
Morning Prayer at 8:30 am (chapel)
Lunch and Learn (bring your bagged lunch) 12:00 noon
The Lesson offered at noon will be offered again at 7:00 pm
Thursday:
No Morning Prayer (Mother Allison is in Trenton)
Friday:
Morning Prayer at 8:30 am (chapel)
Saturday:
Centering Prayer at 9:00 am (chapel)
Sunday: Healing prayers are offered between services 9:15-9:45 am
Please call Mother Allison for an appointment if you would like to receive Absolution through the Rite of Reconciliation:
551-697-6133
