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I waited patiently upon the Lord; *
he stooped to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the desolate pit, out of the mire and clay; *
he set my feet upon a high cliff and made my footing sure.
Psalm 40:1-2
Recently I read a story from 2016 about the mother of the man who killed and wounded students at the school for the Amish in Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania. https://www.womansday.com/life/inspirational-stories/a53626/terri-roberts-forgiven-excerpt/?fbclid=IwAR0h73CEm8iPhSxVyKRSWiF60hjJQ_YvEoeSqBPXUYUwtSKfzavktEYYFY8
Terri Roberts, the mother of the man who did the shooting, was, of course, horrified and heartbroken. She asked, "Where were you, God? I found myself screaming out in my head. How could you let this happen?"
If you have read anything about this incident, you know it is a story of tremendous, almost unimagineable Christian love and forgiveness. The Amish community demonstrated forgiveness in so many ways, including coming to the funeral of Terri Roberts' son.
Hopefully most of us do not have similar stories of heartbreak and challenge, yet I know we all have times when we personally or as a parish wonder where exactly God is. It's a cry heard for thousands of years and embodied in the Psalm for this week. God does hear our cries and is present with us.
Blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
Announcements
G.I.F.T.: Growing in Faith Together
Godly Play will be today and January 26.
Today at Parlor People, Week 2 study of John – written by The Rev. Pamela Long, Latino Ministry, Diocese of Alabama.
Next week, Bible Study of Ruth
At Church of the Nativity
Autumn & Canyon Moore of Buffalo Mountain Bluegrass Band join us today.
Michael of Join Hands joins us today at worship and will talk with us at Coffee Hour.
Upcoming Meetings
Each Sunday, 4pm, Perry County PRIDE
Wednesday, January 22, 1pm, Vestry
Thursday, January 23, 2 – 4pm, Clergy Council
Saturday, February 15, 9am - 3pm, Vestry Retreat
Join Us For Breakfast! Wednesdays at 9am.
Women will meet at Bitting’s. Men meet at Espresso Yourself Café.
Taize’ Tuesdays, 4:45pm.
Twenty minutes of Centering Prayer followed by a Taize’ service.
Margo Huston is in search of safe, affordable housing in the Newport area.
$450/month for rent and utilities. Please contact Margo at 717-557-9306 or margo.huston@gmail.com for suggestions or offers.
From the Diocese
The 5th Annual Feast of the Blessed Absalom Jones Celebration, Saturday, February 29, 11am, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, 221 N. Front Street, Harrisburg
Special guests – Choir and Rector of The African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, Philadelphia, Celebrant The Rt. Rev. Dr. Audrey Scanlan.
The Episcopal Church Seeks information on formation resources and practices.
All practicing Episcopalians are invited to participate in the survey. Task Force for the Formation & Ministry of the Baptized is seeking input from lay and ordained Episcopalians throughout the church about the formation and efficacy of the processes and practices that are being used across the church through a short survey that takes about 25 minutes to complete. Deadline for completing survey is January 31. Visit https://dfms.formstack.com/forms/baptized_ministry
to take the survey.
Community Events and Opportunities for Service
The Episcopal Home Residents are in need of donations that help make a resident’s day better and brighter. Items needed are: Depends Undergarments (women’s M, L, XL), Disposable Bed Underpads, Toothpaste, Dove Soap, Toothbrushes, Mouthwash (personal size), Glue Sticks, Adult Coloring Books (simple designs/pictures), Nail Polish (clear and light colors), Word Search Books (not crossword), Diabetic Candy (individually wrapped), Bingo Prizes. These may be delivered to the Home or ordered online and sent to the Episcopal Home at 206 Burd St., Shippensburg PA 17257.
Volunteers needed to help at a new CCU Winter Overnight Shelter in Harrisburg to serve women and non-binary people.
The shelter will be open through March 31 to offer a place for individuals to get out of the cold overnight. The shelter is located in the Wesley House of Grace United Methodist Church on State St. Volunteers provide intake and hospitality to guests from 7:30 – 10:30pm. For more information about the shelter contact Shelter Coordinator Gillian Sumpter at gsumpter@ccuhbg.org or 717-770-9189.
2nd Annual MLK Day Anti-Racism Event, Monday, January 20, 6pm, First Christian Church, 442 Hummel Avenue, Lemoyne
Panel discussion and worship service with the Unity Choir. Discussion – 6-7:30, Refreshments – 7:30-8, Worship Service – 8-9.
