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...that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. Ephesians 3:17
I confess I am now a person who watches The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. I'm fascinated by the human interactions. I am also skeptical, because I know that there is a team who is editing all of the footage and I suspect they do it in a way to highlight plenty of drama and also keep you guessing about how things end.
I'm also skeptical and fascinated about how people talk about love and loving someone and falling in love with someone and finding that lifelong partner.
Love is truly at the heart of our Christian life. What does it mean to love God? How does that look? What does it mean to love your neighbor? How does that look? What does it mean to love yourself and how does that look?
We are so lucky that God loves us unconditionally. We are so fortunate that God forgives us. In response, we hopefully grow and love all of God's creation in deeper and deeper ways.
Yes, sometimes we have challenges with God's creation, whether it be the bug or animal we just don't like or the person who seems to get under our skin. Remembering that all are created by God can help us be compassionate, forgiving, and also take care of ourselves.
In Paul's closing of his letter to the Ephesians, he speaks about Christ dwelling in our hearts. He speaks about how we need to be rooted - planted firmly - and grounded in love.
How are you being rooted and grounded in love? How is our parish rooted and grounded in love?
Many blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
From Episcopal Public Policy Network: Defend Access to Asylum
Migrants attempting to draw attention to the dangerous conditions in Central America recently arrived at the U.S. border. These migrants, the majority of whom are asylum seekers, call us to engage in dialogue and advocacy around protections for asylum-seekers.
The Episcopal Church has longstanding policy affirming the universal right to seek asylum, and we recognize the need to protect vulnerable individuals. Read this OGR Update to learn more about asylum, read this backgrounder on immigration and detention, and then enter your information below to express your support of asylum to Congress, and denounce the practice of separating families at the border.
More information on this issue can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSlGbJ_hCLNs3qF0h4br7rBfvASsAMQlGqMx12xnMiSdR9jyHHu5Hvi_QgR3kD59TYqCaiFAILEyQNA/pub
News Article From General Convention: https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2018/07/12/general-convention-unites-behind-immigrants-in-prayer-action-legislation/
Announcements
G.I.F.T
Grow In Faith Together
Parlor People, Godly Play and Choir Practice will resume in the fall.
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At Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen
Today we take an additional offering for our Building Fund.
The money donated helps us pay down our mortgage and pay for major repairs.
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The Rev. John Sivley preaches on August 5 at St. Stephen’s.
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Rebecca will be away Monday, July 30 – Friday, August 10.
For pastoral emergencies, please contact Shannon at 717-801-8899.
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Upcoming Meetings
Saturday, August 4, 9:30am – 12:30pm, Diocesan Eliminating Racism Committee
Wednesday, August 8, 6:30pm, Vestry
Tuesday, August 21, Newport Anti-Racism League. Going to see the movie BlacKkKlansman.
Contact Rebecca for more details.
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Blessing of the backpacks, August 19.
Teachers and students are invited to bring their backpacks to be blessed.
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Taize’ Tuesdays, 4:45pm.
Twenty minutes of Centering Prayer followed by a Taize’ service.
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Join Us For Breakfast!
Wednesdays at 9am. Women meet at Bitting’s; Men meet at Espresso Yourself.
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Donate your surplus home-grown produce to the Perry County Food Bank.
You can bring items to the church and place in the refrigerator for delivery or contact Kay, falconrider1@ymail.com
From the Diocese
Sunday, August 5, Episcopal Home Sunday.
Learn how you can help the residents of the Episcopal Home during service on this Sunday.
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Human Trafficking Hands-on Event, Saturday, August 25, 10am – 2pm, St. Andrew's in the Valley, 4620 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg.
Help place labels on bars of soap which will be delivered to local hotels and truck stops at the second Human Trafficking Awareness Day on October 13. Bring a brown bag lunch, beverages and dessert will be provided. Please RSVP to Cathy Rippeon at cathyww93@aol.com.
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Episcopal Church Women Fall Retreat, Friday, Sept. 14 – Sunday, Sept. 16, Claggett Center, 3035 Buckeystown Pike, Adamstown, Maryland.
“Discovering and Manifesting God in Ourselves” presented by The Rev. Barbara Hutchinson. Registration deadline is Friday, August 17. To register online visit: //www.cvent.com/d/dgqcwd/4W
A brochure is posted in the undercroft.
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Community Events and Opportunities for Service
It's back-to-school time for Join Hands.
We are collecting school supplies through August 5. There is a box in the Narthex of Nativity or you can give items to Susan or Darlene. A list of needed supplies is in the July newsletter. Thank you for your continued support of needy children.
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Be a part of the PCCA Bucket Brigade or attend their public performance, Tuesday, August 7, 6pm, Noye Park, Duncannon.
Learn to make great sounds as a group while banging on a regular ol’ bucket. Practices are Thursdays, July 26 and August 2, 7-8pm at the Landis House and Tuesday, August 7, 5pm at the Duncannon Presbyterian Church. Public performance during Duncannon National Night Out, Noye Park. For ages 13 and up. For more details, visit perrycountyarts.org or call 717-567-7023.
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Perry County Council on the Arts, Country Casual, August 25, 4-8pm, Hunters Valley Winery, Liverpool.
Silent and Live Auction items, Road Hawg Barbecue, live music by Colebrook Road, Meteorologist Eric Finkenbinder - Emcee and PA State Rep. Mark Keller will serve as Guest Auctioneer. Purchase tickets at
www.perrycountyarts.org/community-events/country-casual-fundraiser/
