LITURGY OF THE WORD AND WEEKLY READINGS

Sunday, June 26, 2011: Second Sunday After Pentecost

First Reading: (Genesis 22:1-14)

Psalm 13, Page 597, BCP

Epistle: Paul's Letter (Romans 6:12-23)

The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew (10:40-42)

Suggested Readings For the Week

Monday Acts 7:44-8:1a; Tuesday Acts 8:1-13; Wednesday Acts 11:1-18; Thursday Acts 8:26-40; Friday Acts 9:1-9; Saturday Acts 9:10-19a.

Sunday, June 19, 2011: First Sunday After Pentecost: Trinity Sunday

First Reading: (Genesis 1:1-2:4a)

Psalm 8, Page 592, BCP

Epistle: Paul's Letter (2 Corinthians 13:11-13)

The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew (28:16-20)

Suggested Readings For The Week

Monday Acts 5:12-26; Tuesday Acts 5:27-42; Wednesday Acts 6:1-15; Thursday Acts 6:15-7; Friday John 3:22-30; Saturday Acts 7:30-43.

Sunday, June 12, 2011: Day of Pentecost: Whitsunday

First Reading: Acts(2:1-21)

Psalm 104: 25-35, 37, page 736, BCP

Epistle: Paul's Letter (1 Corinthians 12:3b-13)

The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to John (20:19-23)

Suggested Readings For The Week

Monday Acts 1:1-14; Tuesday Acts 1:15-26; Wednesday Acts 2:1-21; Thursday Acts 2:22-36; Friday Acts 2:37-47; Saturday Luke 21:20-28.

Sunday, June 5, 2011: Seventh Sunday of Easter

First Reading: Acts (1:6-14)

Psalm 68:1-10, 33-36, Page 676, BCP

Epistle: Peter's Letter (1 General 4:12-14, 5:6-11)

The Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to John (17:1-11)

Suggested Readings For The Week

Monday Hebrews 6:1-12; Tuesday Hebrews 6:13-20; Wednesday Hebrews 7:1-17; Thursday Hebrews 7:18-28; Friday Hebrews 8:1-13; Saturday Acts 4:32-37.

NEWS AND EVENTS

Welcome From the Pastor

Directions To Saint Monica's

Farewell Brunch

The Rector, Vestry and members of Saint Monica's Church will say farewell to Dr. and Mrs. Eddie Davis with a brunch to be held on Sunday, July 10, 2011 after the 10:30 a.m. service.

The Annual Parish Picnic

Come one! Come all! To our Annual Saint Monica's Parish Picnic. The Picnic will be Sunday, July 17, 2011 at 2 p.m. on the church grounds. There will be lots of fun, fellowship, food, refreshments and games. Please see Mrs. Nora Brown or any member of the Stewardship Committee for more information.

Food For Children

Every Sunday in June, please bring food for children. Tuesday, June 14, 2011 was the last day of school in Hartford. There will be not be school breakfast and lunch until July 18, 2011, when summer school begins. Parents will come to our food pantry to help stretch their fool dollars. The suggestions are:

Baby Food- Cereals - Peanut Butter and Jelly - Macaroni and Cheese - Canned Pasta - Canned

Fruit

Episcopal Church Women May Outreach

Thanks to everyone who placed a name and made a donation to the Women's Day Memorial Bulletin. We raised $106.00 with which we purchased 100 bus tokens for the residents of St. Agnes Home in West Hartford. The tokens were delivered on Saturday, June 18, 2011.

The Harvest Committee Presents

The Harvest Committee presents a fundraising trip to the Sights and Sound Theater in Philadelphia on Saturday, August 19 and 20, 2011. The fees are $290.00 per adult and $240.00 per child. Cost includes transportation, hotel fees and taxes, one breakfast and dinner, and ticket admission to the play Joseph. For more information please see Olive James.

Christian Loved and Concern

What a wonderful gesture of Christian love and concern some of us experienced last Monday (June 6th) as we prayed together for each other and particularly for our rector and priest as he mourn the loss of his older sister. The rector thanks Jeremy and all who were there last Monday. He would like you to know that the prayers lighten his sadness and refreshed his soul.

To the many members who sent emails, cards, gifts and shared kind and comforting words during this our time of mourning, we say thanks.

The Davidson

A Heartfelt Thanks

We give a big "Thank You" to all of the members of the Young People's Fellowship, Planners, Teachers, Supporters and to all others who worked behind the scene for the lovely Mothers' Day/Fathers' Day Luncheon. It was a job well done.

Saint Monica's Graduates

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the graduates of Saint Monica's. Your diligence and hard work have been rewarded.

1. Mark Brown, Jr. graduated from Bloomfield High School and will attend American International College.

2. Cassandra Douglas graduated from Springfield College with a Master of Science Degree.

3. LeeAnn Douglas graduated from St. Joseph College with a Master of Science Degree in Organizational Management and Development.

4. Connor Elliott graduated Carmen Arace Intermediate School and will attend The Metropolitan Learning Center.

5. Javanna Elliott graduated from M.L.C. Middle School and will attend M.L.C. High School.

6. Kiymani Hamilton graduated from Annie Fisher Magnet School and will attend The University of Hartford Engineering High School.

7. Bianca Haughton graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with a Bachelor of Arts and Science Degree and will pursue a Masters Degree.

8. Courtney Haughton is presently at Central Connecticut State University but will transfer to the University of Hartford in the fall.

9. Hattie Henry's niece graduated Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr. High School in Maryland and will attend Bowie State University.

Upcoming Events

1. Sunday, June 5, 2011 Jazz Social.

2. Thursday, June 9, 2011 Vestry Meeting at 6:30 p.m.

3. Sunday, June 12, 2011 Graduation Sunday.

4. Friday, June 17, 2011 Parish Committee's Local Trip.

5. Sunday, June 19, 2011 Harvest Committee Meeting at 6:00 p.m.

Birthday and Anniversaries in June

Happy Birthday to: Norest Walters Jr. 5th; Samuel Ulett 8th; Tiffany Ricketts, Christopher Green, and Mark Brown, Jr. 9th; Samuel Clark, Jeremy Ifill, and Winston Linton 10th; Malik Walter 15th; Lewis Timoll 16th; George Scott 17th; Isiah Gilmore 19th; Brian Lightfoot 21st; Mark Brown, Sr. 22nd; Bridjette Neals and Brady Neals 24th; Fred Binion 25th;

Rubye McApline 27th; Cicero Tilley 28th; Eleanor Nelson 29th

Happy Anniversary to: Mr. And Mrs. Trevor Wilson 20th; Rev. and Mrs. Charles Davidson 22nd; Mr. and Mrs. Juan Fuentes.

Condolences

We extend our sincere Christian sympathy to Fr.Davidson and his family. The sister of Fr. Davidson passed away Friday, June 3, 2011. May she rest in peace.

ITEMS OF INTEREST

Why the Episcopal Church Is (And Isn't) Catholic Lite

It's both a catchy joke and and apt description-Catholic Lite.

Comedian Robin Williams (an Episcopalian) popularized this term in an interview when, referring to a beer commercial, he described Catholic Lite as "same rituals, half the guilt." like all jokes, there's a nugget of truth in there, and one we're rather proud of.

The Episcopal Church is a proud descendant of the Church of England, which was rooted in the Roman Catholic Church. A variety of factors led to this split some 500 years ago, and it's one that we're still working to heal. But we are indebted and appreciative of the many rituals, traditions, and ways of believing in Christ that have come to us through our Catholic roots.

And like the Roman Catholic Church, the Episcopal Church has changed and evolved. We have come down on the same side of most issues, and on different sides of others. We are perceived as being less strict, allowing priest to marry and non-Episcopalians to take Holy Communion, and publicly allowing a wider breadth of acceptable belief and practices than one might find in a Roman Catholic Church.

However, the idea that being an Episcopalian lacks rigor and demand is the down side of Williams' description. There is nothing "lite" about being a Christian, no matter what denomination one might choose. Episcopalians promise in their baptism to pray, take communion, and to spread the Gospel just like most other Christians.

The Episcopal Handbook (Harrisburg, PA: Morehouse Publishing, 2008) pp.79 and 80.

Clergy

The Rev. Charles Davidson

Vestry Members

Carol Anderson, Cyrus Aimey (Junior Warden), Veronica Airey-Wilson, Joyce Asiedu, Walter Benjamin (Senior Warden, Nora Brown, Terry Brown (Treasurer), Marie Brown-Harvey (Secretary),Evelyn Green, Shannon Holder, Bates Lyons, Joe Noel, Peter Marsele Terrie Thomas, Herbert Bowen (Hon)

Music

Rochelle Holder - Youth Choir

Nathaniel Baker - Music Director/Organist

Rector Emeritus

Canon Cyril Burke

Email

monicahartford@gmail.com

THE BOOK CORNER

Extraordinary Ordinary People

by Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice's Memoir, Extraordinary Ordinary People, is a loving recollection of her parents and their family life. Whatever you think of Rice and her politics, you're likely to enjoy reading about this family. Birmingham Alabama the 1960s was a hotbed of racism and the Rice family's experience of that time and place was one of the most finely written parts of the book. Music, football and religion are covered with grace and ease, bringing to life people and places. The struggles with illness and loss in the Rice family will resonate for any reader. This is a sweet story about people who loved and cared for each other. Any reader looking for a happy memoir to read will find much to enjoy from this book.

Review by Stephen T. Hopkins