To take advantage of this time apart, some in our parish have expressed an interest in using this time to gain remotely a new skill, strengthen an existing talent, investigate a new hobby, or delve deeper into a new area of interest. Some lack the motivation to do so or don’t know where to start. Now live - the CHS School is linked under Formation on the menu and includes links to the current offerings! This is an opportunity for all ages to teach and learn! Recognizing that many among us may have gifts and graces to share with others, Judy Linger has agreed to help match folks with remote “classes” (applied loosely) to offer, with members interested in growth.
Some examples: Marge Keller agreed to help with learning conversational Spanish if the interest is there. Fr. Phil indicated he’s willing to broaden our understanding of The Book of Common Prayer. Perhaps one of our gifted photographers could help us improve our photo compositions. Any history buffs interested it sharing fun facts, especially regarding local sights? All done remotely, of course. To kickstart this effort, please leave your thoughts about what you can share and when you are available with judy.linger@gmail.com. It need be no more than one or two sessions but might continue as long as interest remains and folks are willing to teach or learn. It’s true that much can be learned through YouTube or the Internet these days but such offers no opportunity for back and forth dialogue. Our current separation makes human interaction so much more precious and meaningful. As Fr Phil stated Sunday, interacting remotely when we know each other yields rewards we don’t anticipate To get your creative juices flowing, here are some suggestions for “classes” you might like to teach or join: Do you knit? Crochet? Do origami? Paint or sculpt? Scrapbook? Quilt? Bake? Do you want to learn how to tie beautiful bows for packages? Arrange scarves to good effect? Play the recorder? The harmonica? We can take advantage of our access to shared on-line programs like Zoom to connect safely with others in meaningful ways. God gives us the talent. Why waste it? From the Church of England's "Thy Kingdom Come" website, resources for the family during the Covid-19 pandemic. The last few months have certainly looked very different to normal. For many families, there has been more time to spend together and with the summer holidays swiftly approaching, we wanted to share some of our favourite family based resources with you. Our hope is that you can grow in faith as a family during this time. Family Adventure Prayer MapDid you get to complete our Family Adventure Prayer Map? If you haven't, why don't you try it over the summer? If you have, you could try it again and go deeper! Click on the image to find the map! Family Prayer Adventure PodcastThe Family Prayer Adventure podcasts are a fun and engaging way to help families pray together. At 10-12 minutes long, they feature a game, an interactive Bible story, a chance to pray and great music. Click on the image to hear the podcasts! Prayer JournalHave you got young people in your household? Why not encourage them to work through the devotional series in this year's Prayer Journal which explores the theme 'The Fathers Love'. Click on the image to find the journal. Further Ideas 'Bright Ideas for Families' has some creative and fun activities to help families pray together, such as pebble prayers or rocket prayers! Click here to see more > Help Needed to Begin a Lay Ministry for Livestreaming Volunteers are needed to help in the restructuring of our worship, both in its delivery over the Internet and how it is projected for those worshiping in church. This might include delivery to handheld devices. Going forward we will always be live-streaming our worship. The sharing of bound books and hymnals will be discouraged for use during the Covid-19 crisis and beyond, so we need to have a plan for utilizing the technology available to give people as much access as possible to all components of worship - the liturgy and the hymnody in particular - both online and within the church building. Please note that the plans to be developed will not be as drastic as it sounds: it's just adapting to our situation and in keeping with our Episcopal Tradition. We are a prayer book church and will continue to be so, though perhaps not with as much paper in our hands. If you are interested in helping with this new ministry, please let the Marge Keller, Eva Lesniak and Father Phil know at admin@churchholyspirit.org. Stress? What stress? Here are some helpful links.
CHS Post Covid19 Event will start NOW! Based on an idea generated by the Peyton Heart Project, we too will be giving heartfelt items to individuals. Originally meant to help “end suicide and bullying and the stigma surrounding mental health issues”, we can expand our project to include family, friends and neighbors; anyone having difficulties coping. There may be a need when this quarantine ends slowly, and the “new normal” is unexpected. Some people may have repercussions financial or otherwise, or may be dealing with PTSD from COVID. This project is for all ages. CHS youth and teens group may especially want to help with the suicide and bullying issues. Make small (2” wide) knitted, crocheted, cut felt, or sewn hearts. Sewing 2 inch heart ”quilts” would also be nice. Our hearts are to be made now and saved until the quarantine is over. Of course the hearts will be washed after the virus event. Attached, are tags with supportive messages. Do NOT tie the loops or put on tags or (just leave 2 tails of about 6". They will be tied and tagged after washing. For now we will just collect the hearts. The tags could have text such as:
The link below is to the Peyton Heart Project concept. There, find links to instructions and the full description of the Peyton Project. http://www.thepeytonheartproject.org/ or just click on the following how-to knit or crochet links. Even if you are not adding tags to the hearts you are sending you must make a tied-off loop. If you want more pattern choices you can find them on Ravelry.com. It is a free website for people who knit and crochet. Please, do not attach buttons, snaps, beads, or anything else on a heart that a small child could choke on. Here’s a popular pattern: Use a K-size hook and chunky/thick yarn to make the heart 2 inches (5 cm) wide. Make a magic loop… Chain 3, In the loop, 3 triple crochet, 3 double crochet, chain 1, 1 triple crochet, chain 1, 3 double crochet, 3 triple crochet, chain 3. Pull the loop to tighten the center of the heart. Slip stitch in the center of the heart and fasten off, knotting both tail end and working end together at V at the center of the TOP of the heart. Cut both about 5 inches (13 cm). Attach the two ends together with a figure eight knot or overhand knot (not a granny knot or square knot), creating a 4-inch loop to attach the tags to. MORE KINDS OF HEARTS You don’t have to knit or crochet the hearts. We actually make some of our hearts by wrapping yarn around heart-shaped cardboard. For example, from a cereal box. If you have trouble with the yarn slipping off the rounded edges then you can switch to corrugated cardboard. Here is the simple pattern. Please be sure to leave a 5-inch loop (12 cm) at the top of the heart so a tag can be attached to it. Even if you are not adding tags to the hearts you are sending you must make a tied off loop. Here is a video showing how to wrap the hearts. It says you can use any color but please don’t use black. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7fqaUEvdI8 Knit heart patterns (free):
CHS Worship on FB Live (available without Facebook) Sunday Services 8:00 a.m. - Holy Communion Fr. Philip Carr-Jones is inviting you to a scheduled Sunday 8 am Zoom meeting. Click on the link below. Join Zoom meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83282154902?pwd=Vis4NE1BSkYveXR1M0lFeGxaRTlzZz09 Meeting ID: 832 8215 4902 Password: 880454 FaceBook Live site link http://tinyurl.com/CHSWorship or http://online.churchholyspirit.net 10:00 a.m. - Holy Communion Fr. Philip Carr-Jones is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom worship at 10 am with a town hall meeting to follow. Just click link below. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87205665819 Meeting ID: 872 0566 5819 FaceBook Live site link http://tinyurl.com/CHSWorship or http://online.churchholyspirit.net Follow and pray along using the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) Weekday Services Monday to Friday Noonday Prayer: An Order of Service for Noonday - BCP page 103 Fr. Philip Carr-Jones is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85338085109 8 pm: An Order for Compline - BCP page 127 Here are two links that you may be able to remember: http://tinyurl.com/CHSWorship http://online.churchholyspirit.net or Click here: https://www.facebook.com/CHS-Worship-100801658222854 Hint: save the link! If you are in need of a Book of Common Prayer, they are free. Each BCP is stored in a Ziplock bag in box under the front awning at CHS. Pick them up as needed. You can also find it online here: https://www.churchpublishing.org/siteassets/pdf/book-of-common-prayer/book-of-common-prayer-2006.pdf Click on The Daily Office If you’d like to lead one of the offices during the week, please contact Fr. Phil to make arrangements. Subscribe to Diocesan CommunicationsThere's a lot happening right now. Make sure you always hear the news from the Diocese of New Jersey. Update your email preferences or add your address now. You can also choose a language preference of English or Spanish. Also be sure to follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Resources Learn More, Share Info, and Get Involved
Here are a wide range of online gathering opportunities for those who want to share celebrations, challenges and resources around particular ministry areas. To register, click on the listing for your area(s) of interest, then come join others across our diocese to explore and connect!! Adult Formation – Mondays at 7:30 PM; online formation for adults; Bonnie Bivins, Chairperson, Diocesan Lifelong Christian Formation Committee, Convener Anxiety Response – Tuesdays at 2:30 PM; spiritual support for those responding to the increased level of anxiety in our communities and congregations; Rev. Greg Wilson, Convener Children’s Formation – Saturdays at 10:00 AM; Sunday School and online formation for children; Anne Delgado, Diocesan Lifelong Christian Formation Committee, Convener Congregational Coaching – Saturdays at 1:00 PM; explore the incredible benefits and energy unleashed through congregational coaching; Rev. Amy Cornell, Lead Diocesan Coaching Coordinator, Convener Communications – Tuesdays at 2:00 PM; for those responsible for congregational, diocesan, or ministerial communications; Canon Steve Welch, Diocesan Director of Communications, Convener Financial Resources – Mondays at 10:00 AM; promoting and developing congregational financial sustainability; Canon Phyllis Jones, Diocesan COO/CFO, Convener Health Care Providers/First Responders – Mondays at 4:00 PM; spiritual support for health care providers, first responders, their families and those who care for them; Rev. Greg Wilson, Convener Hispanic Ministry/Community Support – Tuesdays at 11:00 AM; specifically for those engaged in ministry to and with our Hispanic brothers and sisters in Christ; Rev. Canon Ramon Ubiera, Diocesan Hispanic Missioner, Convener (en Español, con traducción) Online Worship - Tuesdays at 10:00 AM; planning, hosting, and/or participating in online worship services; Canon Steve Welch, Diocesan Director of Communications, Convener Outreach Ministries – Fridays at 4:00 PM; sustaining and growing congregational outreach ministries; Canon Clara Gregory, Diocesan Jubilee Ministries Officer, Convener Youth Ministry – Sundays at 3:00 PM; for those engaged in ministry to youth in grades 6-12; Clare Gutwein and Joe Rodriguez, Diocesan Youth Conveners Friends,
We appreciate deeply your ongoing commitment to Church of there Holy Spirit. The Vestry & Fr Phil and many others are working on ways to share in community through prayer and conversation even as we are under quarantine. But be especially careful as you maintain your stewardship not to fall for devious communications asking you to make changes to any banking info or make donations in any way other than secure means. They are only these:
Blessings on you all The Vestry The Door is STILL Always Open. Pastoral Letter on Covid-19 ( Part 2!!!)_ Yesterday – that’s how fast this is moving – I posted encouragement that our worship would continue as is until such time as we were told differently. That day has just come and as you can see from the new link below, our Bishop has ordered that public worship in our buildings be halted for a period of time. However, your clergy, musician, and a few others will offer readings prayers, sermon and music through live stream that can be viewed on any device connected to the internet. The live stream will be open several minutes ahead of scheduled time and you can log on anytime during the hour. Your side automatically will be muted to start. After worship concludes - roughly a half hour to 45 minutes - I’ll try turning on the sound and we’ll see if we can chat a bit. If this is the first time using the app, I recommend you download it on your smart phone ahead of time. The link should bring you right to our prayer service in church. The Door is Still Open. So in this way, the door is going to be always open: the doorway to prayer, to community, to spiritual counsel and to friendship with God through common worship; all will remain uninterrupted. And should you choose to come to church, I will be there, and we will share the time in accordance to Bishop Stoke’s guidelines for safe participation. Below is a link from our Bishop Chip Stokes: https://mailchi.mp/dioceseofnj.org/bishop-stokes-announces-immediate-suspension-of-public-worship-services?e=11ccc162f6 In addition, we will gather in small groups over the coming weeks also through ZOOM for conversation and discussion and checking in together. In much the same way as we gathered in small groups for the house blessings, we will remain connected and grow together as community and disciples of Christ. I invite you to prayer. You will find the appointed Collect for the Third Sunday of Lent, this very coming Sunday, to be remarkably on point: Third Sunday in Lent Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. And here’s one which we rarely pray together since the Season of Epiphany usually stops well before eight weeks. But here it is: Eighth Sunday after the Epiphany Most loving Father, whose will it is for us to give thanks for all things, to fear nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on you who care for us: Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested to us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. On behalf of the Clergy, Wardens and Vestry, you are invited to cast all your care on God, wash your hands dutifully and frequently(!), and allow for the grace of God to pervade your lives with peace and tranquility. The church, over the centuries, has faced even more challenging times than these. A couple months ago, in a sermon, I quoted St. Cyprian, who composed his Epistle to Donatus, written to his Roman friend while sitting in a garden, not long after he was baptized (around 246 CE). In it, he bravely claims his faith when such a public claim came with severe risk. “It is a bad world, Donatus, an incredibly bad world. But I have discovered in the midst of it a quiet and good people who have learned the great secret of life. They have found a joy and wisdom which is a thousand times better than any of the pleasures of our sinful life. They are despised and persecuted, but they care not. They are masters of their souls. They have overcome the world. These people, Donatus, are Christians. . . and I am one of them.” Let us show the same solid resolve, a joy and wisdom, being a quiet and good people who have learned the secret of life. Rest well friends, and be of excellent cheer even in a world of shadow. As far as it is possible for any of us, let us be masters of our souls. Faithfully, The Door is Always Open.The Door is Always Open. And even if you are prevented from physically joining, or at such times as we are ordered to stop public gatherings, worship will still continue through live-stream broadcast via the internet. A link will be sent out (and placed on our website) so you can log in on your smart phone or computer. So in this way, the door is going to be always open: the doorway to prayer, to community, to spiritual counsel and to friendship with God through common worship; all will remain uninterrupted. Below is a link from our Bishop Chip Stokes, offering wise and pastorally appropriate guidelines for the parishes in his charge. https://mailchi.mp/dioceseofnj.org/bishop-stokes-statement-on-covid-19-coronavirus?fbclid=IwAR3x093-X0JM4tfTTXhcUZy210qwggBukufY7ZNODBn3ibDKZCl0W70bq8Y We will certainly follow his lead in this moment of concern and caution. I invite you to prayer. You will find the appointed Collect for the Third Sunday of Lent, this very coming Sunday, to be remarkably on point: Third Sunday in Lent Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. And here’s one which we rarely pray together since the Season of Epiphany usually stops well before eight weeks. But here it is: Eighth Sunday after the Epiphany Most loving Father, whose will it is for us to give thanks for all things, to fear nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on you who care for us: Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested to us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. On behalf of the Clergy, Wardens and Vestry, you are invited to cast all your care on God, wash your hands dutifully and frequently(!), and allow for the grace of God to pervade your lives with peace and tranquility. The church, over the centuries, has faced even more challenging times than these. A couple months ago, in a sermon, I quoted St. Cyprian, who composed his Epistle to Donatus, written to his Roman friend while sitting in a garden, not long after he was baptized (around 246 CE). In it, he bravely claims his faith when such a public claim came with severe risk. “It is a bad world, Donatus, an incredibly bad world. But I have discovered in the midst of it a quiet and good people who have learned the great secret of life. They have found a joy and wisdom which is a thousand times better than any of the pleasures of our sinful life. They are despised and persecuted, but they care not. They are masters of their souls. They have overcome the world. These people, Donatus, are Christians. . . and I am one of them.” Let us show the same solid resolve, a joy and wisdom, being a quiet and good people who have learned the secret of life. Rest well friends, and be of excellent cheer even in a world of shadow. As far as it is possible for any of us, let us be masters of our souls. Faithfully, Our prayers continue to be with those who have been deeply affected by Coronavirus, those who are or have been sick, those isolated, for health specialists and authorities who are combating the spread of infection, and of course for all who at this time are feeling anxious. As Christians, let us not be afraid. We are rightly more focused on keeping others well. While no one looks forward to it, we are not a people who are afraid of becoming ill. We are people of faith, and common sense. The widespread transmission of the virus across the globe is becoming “more likely”. The advice about the conduct of services, sharing the Peace, Holy Communion and so on is shared below and is being continually reviewed and may be updated. Although concerns are heightened, the risk to the public remains moderate. There are now more cases reported in a wider number of areas, but the number of cases remains small and preparations and awareness are more and more in place. What about Church? If you are feeling well, you should make every effort to join in community for worship. If you are feeling under the weather, remain home. Holy Communion While it is our faith that the sacraments are a means of grace and not of sickness, they are physically ministered, and we should take physical care. As well as the specific concern about Coronavirus, this advice is generally applicable for all infectious disease.
In general, we are a loving and courageous people who don’t scare easy. All obvious caution is borne from a compassion for others. Being gathered together as the Body of Christ is essential to our identity and I look forward to our community worship with even more focus than ever before.
Welcome to the CHS Master Calendar
The CHS Master Calendar was created to consolidate the multiple calendars that were being used previously. Not all those calendars were up to date; many did not have the same events listed. The ability to see details on the many events happening at CHS was not available on all the calendars. Google calendar became the obvious choice: it allows us to access one site for all events, to manage those events in one place, including details as needed; embed the calendar on the CHS website; and allow for dynamic changes. A change made on the master immediately becomes visible on all linked versions. If a change is made to the master, it appears immediately on the web version and it will appear on your version as well. You can access the CHS calendar from your computer, laptop, smart phone or tablet. To see the calendar on the website, go to www.churchholyspirit.org and scroll to the bottom of the page. Use the arrows below the header to see future or past months. Move to the far right and select if you wish to see a week or month at a time or click Agenda for a listing of events. Details are available for many events. To have the calendar on your computer or other device, copy and paste or type this URL into your browser: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=chs.calendar%40churchholyspirit.net&ctz=America%2FNew_York A limited number of people have administrative permission: Marge Keller, the Office Admin, Webmaster and CHS News editor. If you wish to have an event added to the calendar, contact one of them. To check facility availability, please contact the Office Admin. The Deacon calls the People to prayer saying
A sign has been given to us. A child shall be born for us and wrapped in bands of cloth and laid in a manger. Let us gather in one spirit as we pray to you, O Lord, People Help us put it all down and pick up the baby. Intercessor: Caring for another person means kindness in touch, and tenderness in words, to surrender our own needs and wants as we attend to the other. And when we’re holding and caring for another, we can’t do much else. And when you tend to a little child, you have to put it all down in order to pick up the baby. Gracious God, we’re busy, we tired, we’re full of pressure, and worries, and yet you call us, like Mary and Joseph, to kneel down and pick up the baby, and so, we pray you, O lord, People Help us put it all down and pick up the baby. Intercessor: Even if you’re a toddler yourself; even if you’re a preteen; even if you’re 95; even if you’ve never remembered ever holding a baby; even if you know nothing about birthin’ babies; you’ll still have some idea as your gaze on something so helpless, that first things are first, and when something is fighting for its life, you’ve got to stop what you are doing and so, we pray you, O lord, People Help us put it all down and pick up the baby. Intercessor: Even if we can’t, or won’t or will never want to have a baby, we sometimes need to know that Jesus is the only thing we need to hold on to. Even when we don’t know what else to do, we pray you, O lord, People Help us put it all down and pick up the baby. Even when there is nothing else we can do, we pray to you O Lord, People Help us put it all down and pick up the baby. It’s just true. When you’re holding a baby, there’s not much else you can do . . . except just hold it, and love it, and pray. And honestly, the baby can’t do all that much either, we pray you, O Lord, People Help us put it all down and pick up the baby. The two of you just sort of . . . melt into one another. You just sort of . . . exist . . . together. we pray you, O Lord, People Help us put it all down and pick up the baby. I don’t know what it is you came to church for here today, Why you’re here or how easy or hard it was to come here, we pray you, O Lord, People Help us put it all down and pick up the baby. Whether you know it or not, you have come here for one thing, and one thing only. You have come here to hold the Baby. we pray you, O Lord, People Help us put it all down and pick up the baby. Whether you know it or not he is the One who has brought you here and really, there is nothing else you can do. You just hold him. And love him, And pray. We pray you, O Lord, People Help us put it all down and pick up the baby. But be forewarned, for this comes at great cost. To hold this Baby— this Jesus whom we proclaim - means you are going to have to put some things down. We pray you, O Lord, People Help us put it all down and pick up the baby. When you hold this Baby, nothing else matters. Everything else falls away. We pray you, O Lord, People Help us put it all down and pick up the baby. When you hold this Baby, the war makers must put down their weapons and all their garments rolled in blood. The oppressors must put down their rods. The emperors must put down their censuses. The shepherds must put down their staffs. We pray you, O Lord, People Help us put it all down and pick up the baby. The judges must put down their gavels. The bankers their pencils. The farmers their plows. The nurses their stethoscopes The journalists their laptops. The teachers their books. The janitors their brooms. The interns their clipboards. The internet trolls their keyboards. The leaders their egos. Priests and Bishops their collars We pray you, O Lord, People Help us put it all down and pick up the baby. When you and I hold this Baby— when we hold this Jesus— everything else must fall away: our cell phones, our distractions, our ambitions, our rights, our wrongs, our hurts, our grievances . . . our power. We pray you, O Lord, People Help us put it all down and pick up the baby. “Whatever that is you’re doin,’ you gotta put it down and come hold this baby.” But here’s the final twist. Here’s the insane grace of it all. For all that you and I have to lay aside— for all the power that we have to let go in order to hold this Baby— the thing is he has already gone first. Yeah, you have to give up a lot in order to hold a baby, but think of how much more you have to give up in order to BE the baby. We pray you, O Lord, People Help us put it all down and pick up the baby. He could have come any way he wanted. As a mighty warrior. As a fearsome beast. As a rich king with swagger, and prestige, and power. But instead, this Baby— this Jesus— came like this. We pray you, O Lord, People Help us put it all down and pick up the baby. Whatever it was he was doing, he put it down all those years ago so he could come and rest right there next to your beating heart. We pray you, O Lord, People Help us put it all down and pick up the baby. So, my friends, what is it? What is it that you get to lay aside, even if just for this one moment? The Creator of your soul has put down everything he had, because all he ever really wanted . . . was just to be with you. We pray you, O Lord, People Help us put it all down and pick up the baby. So whatever that is you’re doing, put it down. Come on. Hold the baby. There’s nothing else you can do. You just hold him. And love him. And pray. We pray you, O Lord, People Help us put it all down and pick up the baby. And when you do, when put everything down, and hold and love and pray and melt together, You get to become the Christ to others. Let us find the Christ Child in all God’s children who have no one to hold them, Let us hand over the wounds of loneliness and desperation within our own hearts we hide from others and even ourselves, Let us allow ourselves to be held who have the memory of wrong etched on our bodies and in our minds. Let us find the Christ Child in this planet in crisis and reach out, and hold, love, and pray. We pray you, O Lord, People Help us put it all down and pick up the baby. Adapted from a sermon of Lonnie Lacy+ by Philip Car-Jones+ You can do this! Father Phil mentioned in church on Sunday that the prayer shawl knitters are taking a break to knit and crochet soap sacks for the folks in detention camps. When there is more specific information about the project, it will get posted, but meanwhile, you can do this! Even Father Phil can crochet these because they are small and quick. Download the pattern of your choice, knit or crochet, below and get started with cotton yarn. Here's the pattern they are using > The Quirinius Project It’s time for a census — the “Quirinius” Census. ** No, not the 2020 nation-wide census. Our own Church of the Holy Spirit census. To record all who are a part of CHS and to give our parish leadership more information about how to develop programs to reach as many as possible. To make it easy for newcomers to identify themselves. SO: we’ve developed an online Community Sign-up. Introduction: Help us include you in our common life! This form is to help us get to know you better and to welcome you and your family into the community of Church of the Holy Spirit. We want to be sure you feel included in our common mission across the seasons of the Church Year, so accurate records are vital in keeping our communications meaningful and efficient. Since each of us is a unique individual, beloved of God, you are asked to have a separate entry for each member of your family. All information provided will be used only by Church of the Holy Spirit, not published, and never provided to anyone else. The deadline to gather this information is October 15, 2019, so please go to the website and enter your information as soon as possible. If there are other members of your family who are part of CHS, even if they are not living at home, please encourage them to do the same. We ask the parents of small children to complete the sign-up for them. We want all included! Here’s how to do it: Go to the Church of the Holy Spirit website on your computer, tablet or smartphone https:// www.churchholyspirit.org Click on “About Us”, then “Who We Are”, then “Community Sign-up”. (Or go directly to https://www.churchholyspirit.org/community-sign-up.html ) Enter your information. Please respond to all the items. Click “Submit”. You’re done! Start over with other family members who are too young to do it themselves. **FUN FACT: Fr. Philip like to call this the Quirinius census, from the passage in St. Luke’s gospel “In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.” In his Report to the Congregation on Growth and Discipleship, Fr. Philip
Recklessly fostering heartfelt connection Remembering to fully listen with compassion Serving generously and being courageously inclusive Sharing faith creatively, telling our story Worshiping boldly, joyfully and with purpose
Read the entire document here > Whaling is a form of pfishing known as whaling. It doesn't just affect us! The Diocese of Newark has recently had a series of these attacks and has published an article explaining the phenomenon and what you can do about it.
"You receive an email that appears to be from the Bishop, or your clergy person, asking you to take some kind of action – click a link, download an attachment, wire money to a specified account, purchase gift cards and reply with the serial numbers, or simply to reply quickly. Watch out – it could be a form of email “phishing” known as “whaling.” "Whereas “phishing” involves sending a fraudulent email to a large group of people in the hope that a few will respond, “whaling” involves forging communications that look like they’re from the “big phish” in an organization, i.e. the “whale.” For us, this usually means the Bishop or a clergy person, although it could be someone else in authority. "Because these emails are usually crafted more carefully than your standard “phishing” email, they can be more difficult to detect." Read the whole article, but here are some brief suggestions about what to do:
Please know that Father Phil, Deacon Dot, your wardens and your Vestry would never make such a request. They will never ask for personal information, money, gift cards or anything else by email or on social media. Ignore any such request and, if possible, report it to your ISP as a fraud/scam. One email looked like this: I am not in the position to make a phone call at the moment as i am in a meeting and that is why i am contacting you via email. I will like you to help handle a personal matter. I would need you to help send out couple of gift cards to a family member in school concerning her project.and i will need this handled immediately. Kindly let me know if you are available to run this task right now so i can advise the quantity and domination. Pay attention and stay safe! Faithfully, |
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