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But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God,
and no torment will ever touch them. Wisdom 3:1
Last week the remains of Matthew Shepard were laid to rest at The Washington National Cathedral, nearly twenty years after his horrendous death. The memorial service was beautiful and moving. You can find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSXtHMXuaPI
You may remember that Matthew Shepard was beaten, tortured and left to die in Laramie, Wyoming. He was a student at the University of Wyoming. He died six days after being found, on October 12, 1998.
His death brought to light the realities of being LGBT and eventually legislation named after him and after James Byrd was passed by the US Congress expanding the definition of hate crimes.
While Matthew had been cremated, his ashes had never been interred anywhere. His parents were afraid that their son's grave would be desecrated, so never chose a final resting place for him.
As a teenager growing up in Casper, Wyoming, Matthew found St. Mark's Episcopal Church. He was baptized and brought his family to the church. Matthew found love and acceptance at this church. He enjoyed serving there. This blogpost contains the words from the original sermon preached at his funeral in 1998: http://sacredstumbling.blogspot.com/2018/10/resting-place-for-matt.html
Truly, with this memorial service and the final resting place for Matthew Shepard, we know that no torment will ever touch him.
This Sunday we remember all of our loved ones who are no longer physically with us. We remember how they loved us and taught us how to live in this world. We remember how they are now with God. We know there is no torment that can touch them.
Blessings as you finish your week!
Love, Rebecca+
PS. Bring photos of your loved ones who you will remember this Sunday to put in the window sills at St. Stephen's!
Announcements
G.I.F.T.: Growing in Faith Together
Godly Play will be November 11 and 18.
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The next Parlor People session will be November 11 - The Episcopal Church: Evangelism led by Rebecca.
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At Church of the Nativity
Today is All Saints’ Day. Please place a photo of the loved ones you would like to remember in the window sills.
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Today we take an additional offering for Caring for Nativity’s Neighbors Heating and Health.
Donations are sent to Join Hands, so people in our community have support for their needs.
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Next week we’ll honor our Veterans in the parish.
If you’ve served in the military, please provide your name and branch of service to Michele at 717-567-6514 or chnatss@pa.net by Monday, November 5.
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Next Sunday we observe Native American Heritage Month.
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Next week, we will take an annual offering for the Episcopal Home.
We encourage you to give $25 if you can to provide care for people who cannot pay the full fee. We hope to raise at least $1,000 from our parish. Any amount is appreciated.
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The church office will be closed Monday, November 19 – Friday, November 23; both Rebecca and Michele will be away.
Michele will be on vacation Saturday, November 17 – Saturday, December 1. Please let her know of any changes to the Service Participants before Wednesday, November 14.
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Join Us For Breakfast! Wednesdays at 9am.
Women will meet at Newport Family Restaurant this week; Men meet at Espresso Yourself.
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The Annual Meeting will take place on November 18 followed by a Pot Luck meal.
The Nominations Committee has recommended the following people to serve in various elected positions for The Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen.
Vestry – Bill Day, Todd Saner
Delegate to 2019 Diocesan Convention – Lynne Mitchell
Alternate to 2019 Diocesan Convention – Rebecca Crup
Representatives to Convocation (3) - Rebecca Crup, Lynne Mitchell
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Taize’ Tuesdays, 4:45pm.
Twenty minutes of Centering Prayer followed by a Taize’ service.
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Upcoming Meetings
Wednesday, November 7, 10:30am, Sabbatical Committee
Thursday, November 8, 7pm – 10pm, Friends of Newport Game Night
Wednesday, November 14, 6:30pm, Vestry
Thursday, November 15, Gardens trip to SVM and Country Cupboard, 9am - 4pm
Tuesday, November 27, 2pm, Parlor People Planning Committee
Saturday, December 7, 9:30am – 12:30pm, Eliminating Racism Task Group
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Community Events and Opportunities for Service
Surviving the Holidays, November 8, 6:30 – 8:30pm, Veterans Memorial Building, 25 W. Main Street, New Bloomfield.
This is a free two hour Christian-based program designed to help people cope with the loss of a loved one during the holiday season. Reservations are requested. Call Pastor Mike Boehm, 717-536-0163 or email revboehm@yahoo.com
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Level Ground Support Group, Tuesdays, 6:30 – 8:30pm, Duncannon Assembly of God, 500 N. High Street, Duncannon.
Level Ground provides support for anyone struggling with addiction, alcoholism, depression, domestic violence / abuse, money management, suicidal thoughts and anything you may be struggling with. Child care and refreshments are provided. For more info, contact Bill Fickes - 717-884-3928 or Doug Weaver – 717-654-1931.
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80th anniversary commemoration of Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass, Sunday, November 4, 1pm,
Harrisburg Jewish Community Center, 3301 N. Front Street, Harrisburg.
Followed by An Interfaith Gathering of Love and Solidarity, in coordination with the Community Responders Network and the local faith community, to help us continue the healing process from the attack in Pittsburgh.
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From the Diocese
Sign up for news from around our Diocese.
Monthly email available. Go to https://diocesecpa.org/subscribe-for-newsletters/
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Invite, Welcome, Connect!, Saturday, November 10, 9am – 3pm, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, 221 N. Front Street, Harrisburg.
Led by Mary Parmer, Episcopal Diocese of Texas, this 1 day workshop teaches about hospitality and inclusion of new people into our community. The cost is $15 per person or $50 for a team of 4 or more. To register, visit: bit.ly/diocpaiwc
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Holidays after Loss, Grief Circle Meetings “Learning to Walk in the Dark”, Thursdays, November 15, 29 and December 6, 13, 6:30pm – 7:30pm, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, 221 N. Front Street, Harrisburg.
A Blue Christmas Service will also be held Wednesday, December 19, 6:30pm.
For details, contact The Rev. Deacon Shayna Watson, swatson@ststep.org or 717-236-4059.
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Diocesan Youth Retreat, The Way of Love, for Grades 6 – 12, Friday, November 16 – Sunday, November 18, Camp Mount Luther, 355 Mt. Luther Lane, Mifflinburg, PA.
Cost is $100 per youth. Register at www.diocesecpa.org/youth or contact Mary Ellen Kilp, mekilp@yahoo.com
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A New Beginning #2, Retreat for Youth in Grades 6-8, Friday, April 5, 2019 – Sunday, April 17, 2019, Camp Mount Luther, Mifflinburg, PA.
Cost is $100 per participant, includes cabin, meals, t-shirt, and all activities. Deadline to register is Friday, March 29. Register at www.diocesecpa.org. For more info, contact Mary Ellen Kilp or Theda Tallman at cpayouthcom.gmail.com or 717-475-2785.
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