Loading...In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame; *
deliver me in your righteousness. Psalm 31:1
This Sunday Grace Klauer and I will be doing the sermon and we'll be talking about standing up for refugees and supporting the work of Episcopal Migration Ministries.
We can find lots of news stories and personal stories of people taking refuge, desperately seeking shelter and safety from their daily situations. Communities ravaged by war, unrest, famine, poor economies.
Prior to the outbreak of World War II, The Episcopal Church provided steamship passage to those fleeing Central Europe. This was the beginning of a ministry to people immigrating to the United States that is now known as Episcopal Migration Ministries. Since 1988, they have resettled over 50,000 people fleeing their country because it is unsafe for them to stay.
Grace Klauer came to me nearly two years ago to tell me of her passion regarding the resettlement of people fleeing their country. I've asked Grace to join me this Sunday as we tell of our passion and concern for the current needs of people forced to leave their home countries.
As we seek refuge in the Lord, may we also provide refuge to others seeking safety and peace.
Blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
Undoing Racism Workshop. Thursday through Saturday, I'll be attending an Undoing Racism workshop presented by trainers from the People's Institute for Survival and Beyond. The workshop is sponsored by The Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey and is part of their ongoing effort to dismantle racism. I am attending with Shayna Watson from Lancaster as part of the Central PA Diocese Eliminating Racism Task Group. Shayna and I will be exploring the possibility of doing something similar in our Diocese.
Godly Play is this Sunday.
This Sunday is Stand For Refugees Sunday. Grace Klauer and Rebecca will be preaching. A special offering will be taken for Episcopal Migration Ministries.
This Sunday we observe Asian-Pacific American Month. We especially remember the Episcopal Diocese of Taiwan, the Episcopal Church in Micronesia, and the Diocese of Hawaii.
Next week we commission our choir members.
Taize’ Tuesdays, 5:00pm. Twenty minutes of Centering Prayer followed by a Taize’ service.
Men’s and Women’s Breakfast Men’s and Women’s Breakfast, 9am
Men meet at Espresso Yourself Café.
Women meet at May’s Railside Grill.
The choir practice for May 17 will begin at 9:45am.
Upcoming Meetings
May 17, 10:30am – Meeting with SDG regarding the organ Harold Ulmer of SDG Organs in Millersville will explain the status of our pipe organ and the options available to address it. He will answer questions.
May 24, 6:30pm – Perry County SURJ
Electronics Recycling, Saturday, May 20, 10am – 2pm, Newport Fairgrounds Bring your old electronics to the Fairgrounds for recycling. Cost is $5 per car, $25 per CRT TV and $10 per computer monitor. For a list of items accepted, see the bulletin board in the undercroft.
Applications being accepted for home repairs for Perry County Work Camp, June 12-16. The work camp is coordinated by Cornerstone Church and provides home repairs to those who are unable to do those repairs themselves. Applications are due May 21. See Rebecca or our website for details.
Volunteers needed for Perry County Work Camp, June 12-16. 16. Skilled and unskilled labor needed to provide home repairs to those who cannot do them. The project is coordinated by Cornerstone Church. See Rebecca or our website for the application.
Volunteers needed for Newport Ministerium summer breakfast/lunch program, Perry Manor, 9am – noon, Fridays from June 16 – August 18. Cold breakfasts and lunches, made by the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, will be distributed in the community center to any child under the age of 18. Volunteers are needed to distribute the food, as well as interact with the children. The Perry County Child and Adolescent Service System Program (CASSP) will develop activities for the children and will most often lead those programs. Working with Perry County Food Bank, we may be able to provide bags of food to help the young people eat over the weekend. If you are interested in volunteering, please let Rebecca know. A training session will be held June 6, 6:30pm at Perry Manor.
Free Information Session and Middle Eastern Dinner, May 30, 5:30pm, Trinity Episcopal Church Parish Hall, 58 S. Second Street, Chambersburg to learn more about Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, November 7 – 15, 2017. Join The Rev. Carenda Baker, Cheryl Stearn and The Rev. Barbara Hutchinson for an informative evening regarding the Holy Land Pilgrimage. For more info and to RSVP, contact Cheryl Stearn at 717-496-7652, 717-369-4864 or by email at cstearn@comcast.net. A flyer is also posted on the bulletin board in the undercroft.
Active, baptized members of the parish seeking their first college degree are encouraged to apply for the Kyle Weller Scholarship by June 1. Applications and further information are available online.
Prayer Shawl Ministry of Newport meets the last Thursday of the month. Bring your projects and also learn how to knit or crochet.
Cookout at Honaman House after church, May 28. After our worship at St. Stephen on May 28, we’ll have a cookout at Honaman House. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share.
The Perry County Relay for Life, June 16-17, Newport High School Athletic Field. There are many ways to participate in this event. You can order luminaria ($10 each) in honor or in memory of a person by going online at https://secure.acsevents.org/site/SPageServer?page name=relay_luminaria&PROXY_TYPE=21&PROXY_ID=79736&fr_id=79736&search=event or completing a form in the Undercroft. Darlene Amsler and Jodi Hoover can be credited or their team, Newport Staff and Friends
Baking needs and chocolate items available through Equal Exchange. See the cart in the parish hall. We are now 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 price list and basket are available to pay for the items you choose to buy. Also, be sure to write down what you’ve purchased to help us maintain our inventory. A catalogue is also available. If you’d like to order, please see Jane Hoover.
Join Hands Items of the Month
Clothing: socks, hats, gloves, scarves, and toddler/baby clothing Toiletries: Adult Diapers, Combs, Hair brushes, Hair care products, Conditioner, Deodorant, Diapers and Wipes - sizes 1 to 6, Feminine hygiene products, Lotion, Mouthwash, Paper Towels, Shampoo, Shaving Cream, Soap/shower gel, Tissues, Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Toilet Paper, Medical supplies such as band-aids and cough drops
Other Items: Quilts, Blankets, Towels, Wash Cloths
Honor or Remember a loved one special occasion with flowers on the altar! Flowers help make our worship space more beautiful and remind us of the blossoming life we have in Christ. Please consider sponsoring the flowers in memory of a loved one, or to celebrate your thanksgivings. Flowers are $30.
