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Lord, you have searched me out and known me; *
you know my sitting down and my rising up;
you discern my thoughts from afar. Psalm 139:1
Our Psalm this Sunday reminds us that God is everywhere. There is no way to hide from God. No matter how far away we try to get, we are never out of the presence of God.
Now, it is true that we have free will and may choose to set ourselves apart from God. We may choose to not listen to God's leading. We may choose not to pray. We may choose to block God from our lives.
Yet, God is still there. We can choose our relationship with God.
I think having a close relationship with God is not always easy and it is always liberating and life-giving.
Love,
Rebecca+
Announcements
Please include the following in your daily prayers.
Wendy, Jim, Tammy, Zoey, Vanessa, Terry, Quentin, Shirley, Bonnie, Frank, Alex, Jorden, Deago, Darryl, Karen, Kathy, Kierra, and the family and friends of Arlene Linn.
Collections for Neighbor Helping Neighbor Food Bank
The items for July are Condiments: Ketchup, Mustard, Mayo, Pickles, Dressings and Trash Bags.
We'll be collecting aluminum can tabs for a Girl Scout project.
You can put them in the big can in the undercroft. They will go to Ronald McDonald House in Danville.
Help fill our community food pantry!
Items that seem to be taken first include canned pasta meals, soups, and macaroni and cheese. Vegetables don't seem to get taken.
Newport Farmer's Market, Sunday, July 30, noon – 3pm, parking lot at the Church of the Nativity.
If you would like to help Tiff and Nic obtain a vehicle, preferably a pickup truck to haul their camper, please let Rebecca know.
PA state tax deductible donations are possible through UGift. Rebecca can give you the code.
Order Native Trees for Fall Planting, July 11 – August 1.
Pennsylvania Interfaith Power and Light (PA IPL) and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation are once again partnering to offer free trees and shrubs. Orders can be placed at: https://forms.gle/GjCFHFxNFYY3CFGz7
Join Hands is seeking volunteers of time and trucks to deliver or pick up furniture in 2024.
Their current volunteers will no longer be able to assist with this program. Join Hands pays mileage. Scheduled deliveries are during Join Hands’ open hours on Tuesday - Thursday 9am to 1pm. If you are interested, please contact Join Hands by September 1st @ 717-582-7844.
PCCA Annual Fundraiser, Winery at Hunters Valley, Sunday, August 27, 12 – 3pm, $55 per person.
Inspired by Pittsburgh artist Andy Warhol, fun with food, drinks, music and art! Reserve by August 18 at https://checkout.square.site/buy/DLAHNP5IC2B4ENVP4GBWCE5E
Newport Public Library Used Book Sale, Thursday, August 3 – Saturday, August 5, 10am – 6pm.
Holy Land Pilgrimage, Nov. 14 - 25, 2024
Join other pilgrims from the Episcopal Diocese of Central PA as we walk in the footsteps of Jesus. Together, we will visit the places of his birth, life, ministry, death and resurrection. Our experienced personal guide Iyad Qumri, will lead us in exploring ancient places, vibrant markets, and modern museums in a land that is suspended between East and West, past and present. For more information contact Rev. Anjel Scarborough at 717-473-0045 or rector@allsaints38.com or Rev. Deacon Stuart Scarborough at 717-585-0576 or scarboroughstuart7@gmail.com.
Fresh Start Retreat, Friday, September 1 – Sunday, September 3, Camp YoliJwa, 1550 Doubling Gap Road, Newville
Start a new journey and get a Fresh Start on your relationship with God. $125 for campers 10 and older, $85 for ages 5 – 9, $25 for ages 4 and under. Contact Sherry Warrick for more info at 717-486-7270 or bea22807@outlook.com
Christian Churches United is hiring!
CCU has two open part-time positions at our HELP Ministries Office and Susquehanna Harbor Safe Haven facility - Help Ministries Receptionist who will assure that clients and stakeholders visiting or calling the HELP office are treated with professionalism and respect and a Safe Haven Supportive Service Assistant who will provide direct supportive services for residents on assigned shifts. Please visit our job postings on Indeed.com or send a cover letter and resume to jobs@ccuhbg.org
Christian Churches United Volunteer Opportunities. Sign up at:
https://www.ccuhbg.org/how-to-help/volunteer.html
The Laundry Angel Initiative.
Sponsor a Laundry Day, volunteer to help at the laundromat, provide laundry supplies or help with transportation. For more information on Laundry Angels, contact Aisha Mobley or fill out our volunteer form.
Welcome Home Kits
As an individual or family obtain an apartment after being homeless, they are typically starting from scratch. CCU helps them get into their new home and gives them a Welcome Home Kit. Welcome Home Kits include items for the kitchen, items for bath and general cleaning as well as first aid and toiletries items. We are currently in need of mops, brooms, kitchen trash cans and anti-biotic creams. These items can be delivered to CCU at 413 S. 19th St., Harrisburg.
Administrative Projects
CCU is always on the look-out for volunteers who can work with the Administrative team in sending out invitations, thank you letters, or newsletters, planning engaging and fun events, or maintaining CCU’s presence on the web. If that sounds like something that you would be interested in, please reach out to our Director of Development, Nick Mucci.
3 Fall 2023 SSFM Continuing Education Classes offered and highlighted below.
Courses are offered via Zoom with online resource support and conversation. Register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/the-episcopal-diocese-of-central-pa-18719292176
Becoming Beloved Community 2, Tuesdays, 7-8:00pm, August 22-October 24, The Rev. Kevin Barron and Dr. Marion Schwartz, instructors
Becoming Beloved Community 2 builds upon the learning about systemic racism from the Becoming Beloved Community 1 course. Theological reflection will be the primary means through which we explore how to live into our identities as antiracists. We will take a deep dive into our formation as disciples and how that influences our fight to eliminate systemic racism.
Ending Well, Tuesdays, 2:30 - 3:30pm, October 17 - November 14, The Rev. Dr. Adam Trambley, instructor
How can we prepare for our death? This five-session workshop provides you with an opportunity to give a gift to those who will be taking care of your affairs, fulfilling responsibilities that must be discharged when you die. The workshops will cover some of the nuts & bolts such as required documents, your digital estate, wishes for your funeral or celebration of life, & creating a findable file containing everything needed to settle your affairs and distribute your belongings.
The Whole of Creation Groans: Preaching Good News in the Age of Climate Change, Wednesdays, 2-3:30pm, September 6-October 11, Dr. Joshua Davis, instructor
Taking its title from Romans 8:22, this class will explore the biblical, theological, & moral bases for Christian solidarity with the various movements for a sustainable future. Using novels & films, alongside scientific & theological writings, we will discuss the different social & natural systems that are accelerating climate change & what kinds of possibilities exist for creating new practices and righteous values that reflect God’s saving purpose for the whole of creation.
