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He makes me lie down in green pastures *
and leads me beside still waters. Psalm 23:2
This Sunday we say Psalm 23, a most beloved Psalm. We also observe Earth Day. This verse of the Psalm reminds me of a beautiful, peaceful place in nature.
I remember those years of terrible pollution or our air and water. I remember the years we could not swim in Lake Ontario because it was too polluted. I am grateful for the progress we made and the understanding we gained that a polluted environment is unhealthy for all of creation.
We need to continue to care for creation. We need to be good stewards of the beautiful planet God has created for us. There are a number of ways to become involved. This Saturday, we have our annual roadside cleanup day. Meet at the church at 9am.
The Rotary Club of Perry County and the Newport High School Environmental Club will be planting Leyland Cypress trees along our back fence this Saturday, beginning at 9am. The trees not only provide shelter and a screen for obscuring the view of the new sewer plant to be built later this year, but also provide habitat for our outdoor creatures and remove carbon from the atmosphere.
At coffee hour, the Environmental Stewardship Committee (Kay Cramer, Chair; Jane Hoover, Joanne Pinaire, and Charlene Robbins) will unveil a project for all of us to do during 2018. There will be lots of information about taking important actions to care for our environment. Kay Cramer will also preach.
Come celebrate the wonders of God's creation and the rest and serenity it provides to us.
Many blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
Announcements
Grow In Faith Together (G.I.F.T)
Parlor People, Sundays, 11am – noon.
Today, the Environmental Committee will present during Coffee Hour.
Next week, Glenn Holliman talks about his recent trip to Israel.
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Godly Play is today.
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At Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen
Today, we celebrate Earth Day. Kay Cramer will preach.
At coffee hour the vestry and the environmental stewardship committee will kick off a campaign to reduce our congregation's carbon footprint by 10% this year. There will be stories, information and tips for using the calculator that will help us all tread more lightly on God's beautiful Earth.
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Taize’ Tuesdays, 5:00pm.
Twenty minutes of Centering Prayer followed by a Taize’ service.
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The choir practices Wednesdays at 10:15am.
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Join Us For Breakfast!
Men's breakfast - every Wednesday, 9am, Espresso Yourself Cafe.
Women's breakfast – every Wednesday, 9am, Bitting’s
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Upcoming Meetings
Monday, April 23 and Monday, May 7, 7pm, Newport Anti-Racism League
Wednesday, May 9, 6:30, Vestry
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Baking needs and chocolate items available through Equal Exchange. See the cart in the parish hall.
We are a wholesaler for Equal Exchange, a company that supports small farmers who use sustainable practices for chocolate, cocoa, coffee, tea, nuts, olive oil and other baking items. A catalogue is also available. If there’s an item you’d like us to order, please see Jane Hoover.
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Community Events and Opportunities for Service
The Newport Elementary school is having their aluminum can drive on April 28 from 8am-noon at the elementary school parking lot.
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Ryan and Friends, Comedian and Ventriloquist, Saturday, April 28, Newport High School.
Come out for a fun evening sponsored by the Newport Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary to benefit the Perry County Food Bank. Tickets are $15 per adult, $10 ages 6-12 and children 5 and under are free. Doors open at 6pm and show begins at 7pm.
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Perry County Job Fair and Community Resource Event, Thursday, May 10, 10am – 3pm, Newport Assembly of God Family Life Center.
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CCU and The Prison Action Committee Invite Pastors and Lay Leaders to Healing Communities: An Informational Meeting, Monday, April 30, 6:30 – 8pm, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Harrisburg.
This training helps congregations explore how they can be a “Station of Hope” for individuals coming out of prison. RSVP by April 25 to Darrel Reinford at dreinford@ccuhbg.org or 717-230-9550.
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Take a Swing at Drug Abuse, Perry Human Services Miniature Golf Tournament, Saturday, May 5, Reserve a time from 11am – 1:30pm, Paradise Stream Family Campground, Loysville.
Form a team of 2 – 5 people with each participant raising a minimum of $25. Golfers receive a free t-shirt and 1 game of miniature golf. Registration info is posted in the undercroft or visit www.perryhumanservices.org.
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Commonwealth Interfaith Service Prayers for Justice and Peace, Monday, May 7, 6pm, Beth El Temple, 2637 Front Street, Harrisburg.
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Perry County Literacy Council’s 24th Annual Race for Reading, Saturday, May 5, 5pm, Little Buffalo State Park Recreation Hall. Pre-Race Mint Julep Party, 4pm at the home of Todd Saner in honor of Susan Connell. Dinner Tickets are $35 and Mint Julep Tickets are $50.
There will be a silent auction and live auction at the dinner. Sponsorships and donations for auctions also needed. If you’d like to sit with other parish members attending or would like more info, please Rebecca.
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Newport Public Library 10th Annual Golf Outing, Thurs., May 17, 8am Shotgun Start, Rich Valley Gold Course, Mechanicsburg.
Cost is $70 per player, includes green fees, cart and post-outing dinner. Forms available at www.PeCoInfo.org or at the library. Deadline to register is May 11.
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Historical Society of Perry County, 95th Anniversary Dinner, Friday, May 11, 6pm, Newport Fire Hall.
Dinner, awards, special exhibit of Newport's 19th century architecture and auction. Cost is $15 for non-members and $10 for members. Reservations required by April 25. Registration forms are in the Undercroft or see Rebecca for more information.
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Join CCU for the 2018 Highmark Walk, Saturday, May 19, 9am, HACC
Participate in a 5K or 1 mile walk to benefit CCU’s HELP Ministries and Susquehanna Harbor Safe Haven Programs. Sign-up at www.ccuhbg.org/walk
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From the Diocese
Harrisburg Convocation Event, Building Relationships, Saturday, May 5, 9am – noon, St. Luke’s, Mechanicsburg.
See Rebecca if you’d like to attend.
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Ordination of W. Michael Nailor, Saturday, April 28, 1pm, St. Matthew’s. 32 N. Front Street, Sunbury.
Your prayers and presence are requested. A reception will follow. Please RSVP to Michael Nailor at nflncfl@ptd.net. In lieu of gifts, please consider a contribution to the Cole Allen Diaper Pantry. Make checks payable to St. Matthew’s Church, noting “diapers” in the memo and mail to the church.
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Little Dresses for Africa, ECW Service Retreat, Saturday, May 19, 9am – 3pm, St. Andrews in the Valley.
Little Dresses for Africa has identified a need among the young women in 3rd world countries and it is being addressed with the “sani-panti” sewing project. The distribution of these simple, washable pads and the discussion surrounding good hygiene enables girls to not only manage their periods more easily, but maintain their dignity in the community. Please bring scissors, sewing machines and thread. Most importantly your helping hands and caring heart. Lunch and drinks will be provided. Monetary donations will be accepted to offset the cost. Contact Eileen Sullivan at eileensullivan51@gmail.com or Cindy Mohr at seymour5602@gmail.com if you’d like to attend.
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