LITURGY OF THE WORD AND WEEKLY READINGS

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Ester (7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22)
Psalm 124, page 781, BCP
The Letter of James (5:13-20)
The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark (9:-38-50)

Suggested Readings for the Week

Monday 1Corinthians 7:25-31; Tuesday Hebrews 1:1-14; Wednesday 1Corinthians 8:1-13; Thursday 1Corinthians 9:1-15; Friday 1Corinthians 9:16-27; Saturday 1Corinthians 10:1-13

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Proverbs (31:10-31)

Psalm 1, page 585, BCP

The Letter of James (3:13-4:3, 7-8a)

The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark (9:30-37)

Suggested Readings for the Week

Monday Romans 10:1-15; Tuesday 1Corinthians 5:1-8; Wednesday 1Corinthians 5:9-6:1-8; Thursday 1Corinthians 6:12-20; Friday 1Corinthians 7:1-9; Saturday 1Corinthians 7:10-24

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Proverbs (1:20-33)

Psalm 19, page 606, BCP

The Letter of James (3:1-12)

The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark (8:27-38)

Suggested Readings for the Week

Monday John 3:11-17; Tuesday 1Corinthians 1:20-31;Wednesday 1Corinthians 2:1-13;

Thursday 1Corinthians 2:14-3:1-15; Friday 1Corinthians 3:16-23; Saturday 1Corinthians 4:1-7

Sunday, September 6. 2009

The Letter of James (2:1-10, 14-17)

Psalm 125, page 781, BCP

The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark (7:24-37)

Suggested Readings for the Week

Monday Philippians 1:1-11; Tuesday Philippians 1:1 2-30; Wednesday Philippians 2:1-11; Thursday Philippians 2:12-30; Friday Philippians 3:1-16; Saturday Philippians 3:17- 4:1-7

SAINT MONICA'S NEWS

Harvest Festival

The Harvest Festival is schedule for Sunday, September 27, 2009 at 4 p.m. and is sponsored by the Harvest Committee. The theme is:

The Harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. Be a laborer in the harvest.

Homecoming

On Sunday, September 6, 2009 we had one service that began at 9:30 a.m. We went to our our tribes, and each tribe said the Liturgy of the Word. The following is a summary of helpful questions for discussion. The complete questions are in the September 6, 2009 bulletin.

1. What are the Committees of St. Monica's doing well? What can we do to improve their functioning?

2. What are your views on having outreach in other parts of the United States, the Caribbean and Africa?

3. Twice we have had group discussion then corporate worship. What are your views on using this format for Bible Study once a month on a Sunday? Would you be willing to be a leader of one of the Bible Study groups?

4. Share your thoughts on having one choir that sings traditional tunes, gospel and contemporary songs and on music as a whole at St. Monica's

5. What do you cherish most about St. Monica's?

The comments made by tribal members will be made available in the future. At 10:30 a.m. the service continued with the Confession.

Father Davidson

Father Davidson will be on vacation from Monday, September 7 to Monday, September 28. He will be back in office on Tuesday, September 29.

Father Tom Beck was our supply priest on September 13th. Father Chris Rose was our supply priest on September 20th and September 27.

Calling All Youth

On Saturday, October 24, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. there will be a youth forum in the Parish Hall. Panelists will include individuals from the Department of Corrections, Hartford Police, Windsor Police, Adult and Juvenile Probation, Juvenile Detention, Gang Task Force and Social Services. Please come and bring a friend to discuss challenges our youth face today and how we can help them choose the right path. More information will follow.

Birthdays and Anniversaries

Happy birthday to

Elizabeth Martin Ceceline Morson September 6; Kevin Forand and Concie Hanlan September 7; Bjorn Hume September 8; Jordan Rice September 9; Cheris Lee Branch and Vina Morgan September 13; Wentworth Lawrence and Kerry-Ann Stewart September 13; Marva Brito and Alice Satchell September 14; Iman Devonish September 17; Varon Webb September 18; Pauline Scott September 19.

FUN DAY: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2009

Everyone had a wonderful time on Fun Day. The weather was ideal, the food was yummy, the games were lively and the camaraderie was best of all.

DIOCESE AND NATIONAL NEWS

Stewardship Conference

Register now for the 13th annual Bishop's Conference on Stewardship, which will be held Saturday, September 19, 2009 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at St James's Church, West Hartford. Bishop Smith will be the luncheon speaker and will lead the workshop on year-round stewardship. The fee is $20.00 per person and will include lunch. If you wish to attend, send your name, parish and town , phone number and check ( made payable to Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut) to Jack Spaeth, Diocesan House, 1335 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, connecticut 06105.

Rental Rebate Energy Assistance

The Connecticut Rental Rebate Program will be accepting applications until September 15, 2009. To qualify you must be 65 years or older or disable at any age. Your income limit is $30,500 for a single person and $37,500 for a couple. The checks will be paid out the first week in November.

Youth Violence

On Monday, September 14, 2009 BET will air a documentary on youth violence, prison and the high rate of high school drop outs. The time is 9:00 p.m. and is sponsored by the Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE). Please take the time to watch it; the program will be very informative.

Acknowledging Changing Circumstances

The House of Bishops voted by a margin of 3 to 1 on July 15 "to acknowledging changing circumstances" that call forth a renewed pastoral response from the church for considering same-gender blessings. See the August 2009 blog for more information.

Diocesan Day of Awareness and Diocesan Day of Repentance

Bishop Andrew D. Smith sent a document to the clergy and wardens of the parishes of the Diocese of Connecticut regarding the Diocesan Day of Awareness and the Diocesan Day of Repentance. The Day of Repentance will be Saturday, November 7, 2009 at Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford. The morning session will begin at 9:00 a.m. (coffee at 8:00 a.m.). The Service of Repentance will begin at 1:00 p.m., with a reception to follow. For more information call 860-233-4481. Sponsored by the Anti-racism committee. See the July 2009 blog for excerpt of Bishop Smith's document.

Candidates for Bishop

The candidates for Bishop of Connecticut are listed in the July 2009 Blog.

THE BOOK CORNER

At Home in Mitford

by Jan Karon

Jan Karon has written a terrific, wholesome story about a small village in North Carolina where wonderful and sometimes strange things happen. Written through the eyes of the Episcopal priest, Father Tim shows us a refreshingly old-fashioned life where goodness and kindheartedness prevails. You get to meet many lively and eccentric characters who quickly become your friends and who make life in Mitford such a pleasure and a privilege.

At Home in Mitford is the perfect diversion from the hustle and bustle of our busy lives. A calm, relaxing novel full of charm and sassy wit that "celebrates ordinary people leading ordinary lives." Though not for everyone, especially those who need lots of action in their reading, this novel goes down like a cool glass of lemonade on a hot sumer day. Enjoy!

Review by Dianna Johnston