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O God, from whom all good proceeds: Grant that by your inspiration we may think those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Collect for Proper 5, Book of Common Prayer, p. 229
God is great. God is good. Let us thank him for our food. By his hands we all are fed. Give us Lord our daily bread. I think this is one of the first prayers I learned as a grace said at a meal. Our Collect this week reminds us that all that is good comes from God.
The Collect also reminds us that we don't always think those things that are right and we must rely upon God to help us to do so. For instance, I have read that there is enough food to feed the whole world and yet people are food insecure and go hungry. Is there something wrong with our thinking that keeps us from making sure everyone has the food we need?
I think is some cases, we have classified people into worthy and unworthy. We judge whether people are "worthy" to have the very basics of life. We find that one person or those few people who "game the system" and we become stingy and withhold the very necessities that bring life.
We ask this week that we be guided into good and right thinking. And then, that we be guided into taking action. I was recently contacted by Tracey DePasquale, Director, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in PA. She wanted to know if we would write letters to the PA legislature "to increase the ask for the State Food Purchase Program, which underwrites the food that the food banks get that winds up in our community and congregational pantries. It hasn't seen an increase in years, and with the SNAP cuts and other pandemic aid ending in March, combined with food inflation, flat funding is just unacceptable."
If you want to know more about this, go here for excellent 2-page informative pieces:
Hunger in PA issue brief
State Food Purchase Program Leave Behind
Here is the link to reach out to our members of the PA legislature to fund these programs in the upcoming budget. https://support.elca.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1638. You can take out the "Lutheran" in the first line of the letter and replace it with Episcopalian. Participating in this seems like right thinking and right action.
Love,
Rebecca+
Announcements
Please include the following in your daily prayers.
Wendy, Jim, Tammy, Tootser, Zoey, Wendy, Heather, Lyndsay, Jason, Kiera, Josh, Arthaniel, Caverly, Shelby, Doris, Nic, Sue, Caleb, Anna, Carol, James, Sara, Anna, Mike, Jack, Pastor Jan Custer, Jennifer, Rose, Anthony, Sierra Nicole, Karen, Angel, April, Iris, Vanessa, Terry, Edith, Kate, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and Gary.
The community level of Covid in Perry County is low. Masks are optional.
If you are interested in attending a weekly book Bible Study on Zoom, please let Rebecca know, including days and times that would work for you.
Collections for Neighbor Helping Neighbor Food Bank
The June items are: Canned Vegetables and Fruits, Dish Soap and Sanitizing Wipes.
Church Picnic, June 25, 11am, worship and picnic at Landis Farm. Pride Sunday with Miguel Gonzales preaching.
Bring a dish to share. There will be swimming. If you are willing to help, see Sue Beamer. This service will not be available by Zoom due to the location.
Vestry Meeting, June 27, 1pm.
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. Also, please don't use this as an opportunity to clear out your pantry if at all possible.
Friends of Newport Farmer's Market, Sunday, parking lot at the Church of the Nativity, June 25, noon - 3pm.
Help Join Hands provide basic needs products to families.
Items needed are: Adult Incontinent Products, Combs, Hair brushes, Hair care products, Deodorant, Diapers and Wipes - sizes 1 to 6, Feminine hygiene products, Lotion, Medical supplies such as band-aids & cough drops, Mouthwash, Paper Towels, Shampoo, Conditioner, Shaving Cream/Razors, Soap, shower gel, Tissues, Toilet Paper, Toothpaste & Toothbrushes.
Church World Service (Harrisburg) World Refugee Day Block Party, Saturday, June 24, Noon to 3pm, Mackay & Front Streets, Rear Parking Lot
This event is rain or shine, will be free to attend, and has been created for our area’s residents to enjoy, including the new neighbors that we welcomed over the last year. Attendees can expect an afternoon of free fun for all ages, including free giveaways (while supplies last), games, activities, music, and art! Events are being sponsored by caring businesses and organizations in the area, including Diocesan Migration Ministry Resources.
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
Epiphany Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, January 6–17, 2024, Led by The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D. and The Rev. J. Barney Hawkins IV, Ph.
For more information contact: The Rev. J. Barney Hawkins IV at 864-720-8825 or bhawkins@vts.edu or Victoria Elie at velie@vts.edu
The Reunification Discernment Committee of our dioceses wants to hear from you!
In June and July, the Committee will be hosting an initial round of Listening Sessions and distribute an online survey for input. The Listening Sessions will be held via Zoom and will be open to lay and clergy members of both dioceses. Your input is critical to this discernment. Know that in addition to these opportunities, there will also be others through which you can offer your thoughts and questions as we move through this discernment process. The sessions will be facilitated by members of the Discernment Committee and will last for one hour. Please contact Rebecca or Michele for the link to register for one of these upcoming (Zoom) sessions: Tuesday, June 13, 7:00 pm; Wednesday, June 21, 7:00pm; Thursday, June 29, 7:00pm; Saturday, July 8, 10am; Thursday, July 13, 7pm.
Help People in Need when you buy your Groceries!
See Gail Shull to purchase cards in various amounts to use at Giant, Weis, or Karn’s Stores or stop by the office. 5% of the cost of each card stays with the church and is used for outreach and mission projects.
Fall 2023 SSFM Continuing Education Classes
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.
