Rev. Bob’s Weekly Message, August 30, 2020

Dear Grace and St Peter’s,

After a delightful, restful two weeks on Cape Cod, it is great to be back amongst you worshipping, serving, praying and raising a loud shout to God with psalms—well, maybe not the loud shouting due to ongoing public health restrictions. But, even with those restrictions, we have maintained a vibrant and active community life through our outdoor services at St John’s; our Zoom and Facebook worship services and conversations; our phone, email and text support for one another; Dinner for a Dollar take-out style; etc. Again and again you prove yourselves to be a faithful, loving, resourceful and resilient community. Nothing, it seems, can stop Grace and St Peter’s from fulfilling its divine vocation!

Speaking of which, I am pleased to report that we were able to collect enough funds to support a second Hamden Black History Committee (HBHC) college scholarship for a 2020 graduate of Hamden High School. Our first scholarship, as I have mentioned, was for $1000. Our second scholarship is for $500. I do not yet know who the recipient of that second scholarship is, but I have no doubt that the HBHC will make an excellent choice and I will fill you in on the details when I have them. Congratulations to G&SP for making an important difference in the lives of two of Hamden’s most deserving young people and congratulations to our scholarship recipients.

As well, our Jesus’ Kingship of Kinship conversation will continue next Monday at 7:15 on Zoom. I have sent out information about this in a separate email so that the details do not get lost in the complexity of our weekly enews. Please have a look at that email and join us on Monday if you are able to.

Lastly, I encourage you to join in our Faith Study group’s enlightening Tuesday evening conversations. Together the group has been reading and discussing Daniel Erlander’s excellent retelling of the biblical narrative Manna and Mercy. As Gretchen Pritchard writes, “Our conversations about Manna and Mercy continue to be lively and to reveal issues in our scriptural story that raise challenging questions! We’ve been taking our time and letting the thoughts and ideas flow.” When reading, reflecting on and talking about the Bible, raising and attempting to answer challenging questions are what it’s all about. Please contact Gretchen or the G&SP office for more information about this group.

Stay well, stay safe and enjoy these last days of August!

Peace, Bob+