Community Updates (9/13/23)
Shape Deadline
We all want to know what is happening or "What's the buzz" as they say. Our monthly Shape newsletter does just that and provides so much information for us. This is a reminder that the deadline for articles or photos for The Shape will now be the 20th of each month. If you have an article please submit to Mike Schmidt by this date. If you cannot submit your article by that date, please contact Mike and let him know that you will be sending something in and when he should be expecting it. This way he is able to plan and formulate our newsletter. We realize activities and schedules do happen in the last few weeks of every month and we want to make sure they are included and accommodated. It is important that we get to hear about all the wonderful things happening at ECA!
A reminder to submit your Gifts of Gratitude to Mike for the October Shape!
Here is a direct link to our weekly “An Episcopal Sermon” podcast.
Each weekly podcast episode is a live recording of the Gospel reading followed by the sermon based on that reading from our Sunday services. A new episode is posted on our website every Monday (in case you missed it on Sunday). This podcast provides thought provoking messages that can be listened to anywhere at any time.
Enjoy!
Link for this week:
https://www.churchinalmaden.org/news/sept10-2023-an-episcopal-sermon
Opportunities to Serve with AAi
Packing of health hygiene kits
Sunday Oct. 22 from 2-5 pm,
Hi all. Here is the link to our hygiene project that I mentioned in church Sunday. Please sign up to help as you’re able, and let me know. People don’t need to complete the advanced training to volunteer. AAi just asks that people complete the free, introductory training to better understand Jewish and Muslim neighbors. This helps Christians avoid learning sensitivities “the hard way.” People can register for this training directly at https://aaiu.eventbrite.com. We can car pool from the church if you like. And thanks! Pat
This is the link to register for the event:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hygiene-kit-assembly-registration-681269263707
Maui Wildfire Victim Donations
If you are interested in donating for the victims of the devastating wildfires in Maui, please consider donating funds to the Episcopal Relief and Development at
https://www.episcopalrelief.org/what-you-can-do/give/donate-now/individual-donation/.
Also to an organization associated with the Diocese of Hawaii called "A Cup of Water" at
https://www.episcopalhawaii.org/a-cup-of-cold-water.html
Bishop Robert and the Diocese of Hawaii have invited you to pray along with them and have offered these prayers:
Almighty God, who is our strength and our refuge; be with those who are besieged by fire, guide those who evacuate so that they may find care and comfort in a safe place; protect their homes and their pets, their neighbors and their friends, so that they may return home to a loving community. We ask this in the name of Jesus your son, who abides with you and with the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, whose love encircles us; sustain those who respond when wildfires roar, keep them safe from harm and hold them in your sheltering embrace so that they may complete these burdensome tasks, return home to their families, and keep the lives and homes of all they protect safe from harm, in the loving name of Jesus, who gave his life for all. Amen.
Loving God, our strength in times of despair, be with all those who have lost their homes to wildfire, comfort them in their distress, strengthen them for the journey ahead, and sustain them with your loving embrace, that they may find a sense of home once again. We ask this in the name of your son Jesus Christ, who heals the sick and restores the lost. Amen.
As of Jan 1, the Wardens and Vestry are canonically in charge of ECA until a new priest arrives. They have been working and everything is lined up for Sunday services, pastoral care, fellowship activities, financial oversight, and of course, work on the Church of the Future to continue uninterrupted. If you have any concerns, questions, or needs, please contact Ellen or Nancy, or for administrative questions, Ruthanne.
If you need pastoral care, please call Ellen Lukanc, Betty Consorte, or Marianne Schmidt.
Prayer Vine
Kathleen Eagan is the director of the Prayer Vine. If you have any prayer requests that we can be praying for, please contact her at kathleeneagan34@gmail.com. Also if you are interested in becoming a part of the volunteers who are the Prayer Warriors, please let Kathleen know.