Weekly Update

Readings for next Sunday, 28th June, Pentecost 4

First reading: Genesis 22.1-14; Psalm 89.1-4, 15-18; Second reading: Romans 6.12-23;Gospel: Matthew 10.40-42

Prayers and Pastoral Care

Please offer this week for: Ruth; Wes and Joyce; Jeff; Myfanwy; Marjorie and Phillip; Dan and Courtney and children; Jack and Diane; Loren; Tobin; Mary Anne and Ray; Margaret; Pat and Sean; Brenda; Laurel and Rob; Ruth; Yvonne and Suzette; David; Cindy; Norma June; Nancy June; Barry; Donna; Sarah; Mike and family; Steve; Susan; Stephanie and Ron; Scott and Logan; Beth; Mary Anne; Cate; Colleen; Don and Shirley; Keith and Betty; Nelson; Cathy and Susan; Terry and Mike; Brenda and Michelle; Brent; Baby Hugo, Ruth; Maura and Rev’d Gomes, Victoria and Debbie; Charles and Pauline; Rev’d Cannon Bain Peever and Lynda; Aldine; Norma; Mike; Pepito; Joe; Elaine and Warren; Marg; Loraine; Alex; Jennifer; Andy and Grace; Judi and David; Michelle and Sherry. AND for those who are in need of prayer but have no one today to remember them by name; and those known to each of you alone.

Prayers of thanks for : Our Bishop Todd and our priest Bill, who accept the challenges of technology to bring worship and updates to the body of Christ, and Bill for organizing Zoom coffees breaks so parishioners can remain connected and experience fellowship.

Prayers for: all lives impacted and forever altered by COVID19. This global pandemic has brought out the best and the worst in our human condition. We ask that love of neighbor and care of each other will always be front and center and when we stray we ask Gods presence to lead us to a new beginning.

Prayers for: patience and common sense to prevail as we move to loosen Pandemic restrictions. May decisions be guided by science and the advancement of knowledge as we come to understand the virus in our midst. 

Prayers for: the many lives impacted by racism. May there be a genuine concerted will in individuals and in institutions to respect the integrity of all God’s children. We ask for social justice for the marginalized and oppressed throughout the globe and at home.

Prayers for: each of us as we handle our world crisis in so many different and unique ways. Lord, give us the strength to reach out when we need help and when we can offer help to others.

Rest in Peace: John Arndt; Else Bierbaum; Seppi Gilbert; Shirley Fink and Bob McFaul.May the souls of our departed sisters, Else and Shirley and brothers John, Seppi and Bob find rest eternal and rise in glory, and family and friends find comfort and strength as they mourn.

Our Daily Bread” booklet – The current edition, for June -July -August – (small size) devotion booklet of our Daily Bread is available. Also, we still have some copies of the (small and large print) of “Forward Day by Day” for May- June -July 2020. Contact Sharon Frank at [email protected] or 519-933-3164 to receive your copy.

Cycle of Prayer for June Treasure – Safeguard and Renew the Earth As Christians we are called to “safeguard the integrity of creation”. Our world is a gift from God. We bear the responsibility for caring for the world and the earth’s resources. Prayer: Lord, you came into our lives to redeem all that is good, guide us in our turn to renew and sustain the life of your creation. Let your glory fill this place. Let your glory fill this world!

Outreach

Community Breakfast Program – Thanks to your generosity and recognition of those in need in our community, our Community Breakfast program continues to thrive. We have hosted nine take away breakfasts since March 21st. While there is some fluctuation in the numbers, we usually serve 38 guests at the door and make three home deliveries. Three to five newcomers join us each time along with the regular guests. The introduction of a hot ham and cheese sandwich in May was well received and for a change, this past weekend we served a hot breakfast casserole of bread, egg, ham and cheese with a crispy hash brown. With the warmer weather, the hot chocolate was replaced by fresh orange juice and ice water on the to-go beverage menu. Cherie Laughlin and Anne Patton work hard to provide guests with an assortment of seasonal clothing and footwear from the Nearly New Shop stock. Thank you to them and to those of you cleaning out your closets and bringing gently used items to the church. Thanks also goes to parishioners for the donations of much appreciated toiletries and masks, and we are thankful for our team of 10 muffin bakers and the new and experienced helpers on the packing and serving teams. Financially, take home breakfasts are more expensive than a sit down meal, not only because of the food costs but also due to the cost of containers for beverages and hot food. As of our June 20th meal, expenses have totaled $1,754.33, an average of $4.87 per meal. We plan to host 5 meals through July and August with an expected cost of $974.62. Through our Take-a-Guest-to-Breakfast initiative, over $600.00 has been raised. Ongoing support of this initiative over the coming weeks will ensure that we can continue to offer a generous and nutritious meal to guests in these difficult times. Your questions, ideas, and comments are most welcome, please contact Glenda Hayward at 519-951-8154 or [email protected]  . Thank you – for your prayers and your contributions, be they time, talents or treasures! The next take out breakfast is on Saturday 4th July, 9.00 – 10.30 am.

Fundraising

Fundscrip – Rick is now taking orders for cards, and you can order yours by contacting Rick at 519-660-4704, or [email protected], and drop your cheque off at his home with a note explaining what you would like to order. Please also let Rick know your ‘phone number or email address, so that he can easily contact you when the cards are in. Please get your order in by Sunday 5thJuly.

Rhubarb! Don’t forget to save any you don’t want for our pie makers – thanks!

Around The Deanery

Virtual Raffle – St. Mark’s Church, 1320 Wilton Ave London ON, N5W 2H6, (519) 455-8160, is holding a virtual raffle, prizes to be drawn on 13thJuly. Tickets are $20.00 for 25, and to get tickets, or for full catalogue details, contact [email protected].

Church Updates

Water Issues – Many thanks to Wally Lockhart and Michael Ashby! Over the past few weeks, they have been relentless in tracking down a problem with our water use, the meter just kept going and going and our utility budget was going down the drain. Toilet one in the women’s bathroom downstairs was identified as the culprit and replaced, but the meter kept going. Taps were turned off, drains checked and on and on. Finally, with the help of a plumber, the toilet in the women’s bathroom upstairs was found to be the second culprit and has been replaced, and now the water meter is calm. And all this as Wally and Michael work to complete the cleanup and organization of the balcony in the LGC. Thank you to them both for their dedication, persistence and hard work!!

Office Hours – Please note that with the ongoing slowdown of church activities, our Parish Administrator Sandi Csik is now working in the office from 9 – 11:30 am Monday to Friday. Sandi is up to speed on the website, the exterior sign and our Facebook page, so please let her know if she can help with the secretarial work for your parish group or committee. 

Let’s Celebrate

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! This week to Dennis Johns (21st June); Norelle Longhurst (23rd); Laura Fairbairn (26th); Zachary Boyd, Achamma Kanthan and Rowland Rajan (all on the 27th). Hope you had/have happy days!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! To these happy couples, who celebrate anniversaries: Cathy Lee and John Benbow (23rd June); Joyce and Wes Adam and Patricia and Ben (Morley) Forster (24th June); and Lucy and Phil Uptgrove (25th).

Even though restrictions are slowly being eased, it makes sense to be cautious. Stay home as much as possible and stay safe, everybody!