From the Rector
Dear Calvary Parishioners,

This afternoon I spoke with Shirley Adams, the director of our Altar Guild. I said something to her that I never thought would come from my lips, "We are trying to make sure as few people as possible come to church right now."

As painful as it is, this is our new reality for the foreseeable future.

So here is what we do: we double down on every other way we can be community with each other.

Within the week, my hope is that we will all be connected via phone through a new initiative called Calvary Connection Circles.
Stay tuned for more information on this.

In the meantime, I have some words for you as your pastor:

We are just beginning a worldwide period of loss and grief . Please be gentle with yourself and with one another.

The first four stages of grief are:
  1. Shock and Denial
  2. Pain and Guilt
  3. Anger and Bargaining
  4. Depression, Reflection, Loneliness

I noticed this week that I was operating on with a good level of shock -- until I watched one of my daughters move into a fit of anger mid-week. She was so upset to not be able to be in her normal routine. That moved me right into the 2nd stage of grief.

Have found yourself snapping at a loved one in the close proximity of your home? Feeling a little helpless? We are solidly in the season of Lent. This is a good time to take account of how we're feeling and acting. Don't be afraid to say you're sorry or to extend forgiveness.

Hope lies ahead.
Here are the last three stages of grief:

  1. The Upward Turn - when we settle into a new rhythm, and recognize that the way things were is over for now, we'll calm down, get organized, and the overwhelm and sadness will lift.
  2. Reconstruction and Working Through - we'll reshape our lives in new and life-giving ways/
  3. Acceptance and Hope - Together, we'll move forward. It doesn't mean it's going to be easy or always happy, but we'll find new ways to be faithful and at peace

The Psalms are a great help in times like these. Psalms 40-46 are good to read in a time of trial.

I think that the Pilgrimage Psalms (121-133) are reminders that people of faith have endured and come through trial throughout history. We are not alone. We are embarking on a pilgrimage, and God is our refuge and strength.

I hope to "see you" either at our Service of Healing online at Facebook Live on Saturday at 11:00 AM and/or at worship on Sunday morning at 10:30 AM on Facebook and our website.

This is a Lenten journey we never could have anticipated. Let's take care of ourselves and one another and know that we are never alone as people of faith.

Peace,
The Reverend Allison English
Rector
Healing Prayer Service

Saturday, March 21st at 11:00 AM

At this service there will be the opportunity to receive healing prayer, and also to pray for those who have requested our prayers, and for these uncertain times and chaotic world.


Healing Prayer will broadcast live on Facebook (Calvary Episcopal Church- Clifton ).
Online Worship

You can tune into worship this Sunday at 10:30 AM on
Facebook by Clicking Here or on our website by Clicking Here.

The worship guide for these services will be sent out via the chimes on Saturday.

Update on Tender Mercies Outreach During Cronoavirus

In order to maintain our service outreach to Tender Mercies during this uncertain time some changes are being made to how Calvary Episcopal Church fulfills our commitment to this project. Tender Mercies organization is suspending having guests serving meals at the housing units until further notice. While they will continue to accept food donations from the sponsoring organizations, the decision has been made to change how we provide the food to the client house until we can comfortably work in the church kitchen. 
As a result, I am cancelling the menu that we have determined for March, and will order Subway sandwich meals for the residents for March 29th. Tender Mercies is grateful for this, and because it is a 5th Sunday this month, I will be increasing what would be the typical number of meals by 50 % to 45 meals. 

If you for any reason have already purchased mac and cheese or a ham, please just freeze them and we will use the menu when we can safely resume our own meal service. or go ahead and eat them! Our commitment to this outreach remains intact. If you would like to support this with a donation towards purchase of these meals or future meals, Calvary will gratefully accept your donation. Thanks again to those who have supported and will continue to support this ministry.

Blessings to you all,

Maggie Davis
Pledging

There will be no one here for the next few weeks to give to the church in person. 

If you’re a pledger,  please do not forget to keep up your pledge. 

Mail a check to the church or give online at our website under the heading Belong ( Click Here for link) and scroll to the button “Give Online” and go from there.

You can TEXT to give. Simply text CalvaryEpiscopal - Capitalize each word, no spaces. to 73256
and follow the prompts
Youth Ministry

Youth Group will meet every Sunday morning at 10:30 using Zoom conference. Please email Miriam at  miriam@calvaryclifton.org  for an invitation to the meeting if you did not receive one. 
Calvary Connection

Coming Next Week

Calvary Connection Circles are a way for each parishioner to be in touch with another parishioners.

We will have 7 Teams with 12-16 households each who weekly share in calling and checking in on each other.

It's a way to care and be of service from home.

Look in your e-mail/ watch your phone for communication from your Connection Team Leader soon!
This week we pray for:

Those on our parish Prayer List :
For those on our Parish Prayer List 
Kerrie Yates, Kaylee Yates, JennyRebecca Ronning, Ruth, Randy McKnight  (home after Monday elective surgery), Howard Helvey, Brad Caldwell, Calvary Choir Members, Megan Rich ( physician on front lines) , The McKenney Family  (home from Spain, 14-day quarantine ), Cameron Taylor, The Martin Family, Elizabeth Bible, Ingrid Grupp, Paul McCauley, Lois Sechler, Thayer McKinley, Martha Milligan, Dale, Patti, Julia Helvey, Joyce Rimlinger, Cathy McCaffery, Susan Dyer, Georgia, Jim & Florine Postell

For workers on the front lines. 
For people facing job loss.
For people who live alone.

For Homebound Parishioners
All who are able to work from home and stay at home, for peace and health
Mary Ann Bragg, Richard Sininger, Joan Sievers, Paul McCauley, Hazel Ison

For Expectant Parents:
Andrew & Jenna Sturgeon

In the Parish Cycle of Prayer
Guardian Angel Ministry
Calvary Episcopal Church | 513-861-4437 | calvaryclifton@fuse.net