Some of you are aware that Morgan, a 16-year sophomore at North Hunterdon, was diagnosed with AML last August.  Since, she has undergone several rounds of chemotherapy to kill off the leukemia, has spent most of the time since the diagnosis in RWJ or CHoP hospitals, had 2 rounds of radiation to kill off the last of her immune system.  Morgan made the news when her 5 siblings all tested as extremely good matches for a bone marrow transplant.  The procedure was done 2 weeks ago with her next youngest brother as the donor. Thus far, everything is proceeding well.  Morgan is very tired, the treatments have left her with sores in her throat (limiting her ability to eat or drink).  She will be in isolation at CHoP for about 100 days, coming home sometime at the end of the summer.

In preparation for the homecoming, the hospital has provided the family with an overwhelming list of things that must be done (clean the house thoroughly from top to bottom, steam clean Morgan’s bed and all the carpets—the list seems endless).  There is also a list of items that must be purchased to keep Morgan from getting any infections that would compromise her health. The list includes bedding, toiletries, clothing, even a separate vacuum and air purifier!

If you can help, here is the link to Amazon where still unpurchased items are listed.

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1U7VGSNSZLH0F?ref_=wl_share

You may also make a donation to her GoFund me account at https://gofund.me/db0c168d
Cards may be to her at
Morgan Hewitt, c/o Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA. 19104, Rm. 45  3 East

Thank for your thoughtfulness.  For further information, speak to Marge Keller.

New Guidelines Allow Reopening at Local Discretion

This post features highlights from a new report issued by the Diocese Reentering, Reopening, and Reimagining (RRR) Task Force, allowing in-person worship without prior approval from Bishop Stokes.

Read the entire report online      (español)
Download the report.    (español)

“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”  --John 13:34-35
 
As vaccination rates and availability rise, and public health guidance and federal, state, and local mandates are reduced, we as the gathered Body of Christ are able to eliminate many of the limits on gathering that we have diligently followed for many months.

What does not change, and cannot change, is our primary commitment to love one another as Jesus has loved us. That commitment must grow even more active on the part of congregations and individuals, and must adapt to the unique situation of each congregation, as guidance from diocesan and state leadership changes in response to the evolving science and facts around us.

This new report from the Reentering, Reopening, and Reimagining (RRR) Task Force is meant to help congregations, their leaders, and members care for one another and consider how we gather joyfully and appropriately in this transitional time of a global pandemic.
 
Required Precautions for Gathering

• Any individual who is not fully vaccinated (two weeks or more after the final recommended dose in their vaccine series) must wear a mask at any gathering of the congregation or on church property, whether indoors or outside. 

• Those who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear masks, indoors or out.
  • Any individual may choose to wear a mask at any time, and should not be questioned about their reasons for doing so. Many may choose to continue to mask at church gatherings out of care for others who are not vaccinated.
  • Congregations should make the applicable requirements for masking clear for all visitors, worshippers, members and guests.
  • The congregation is not required to verify the vaccination status of anyone entering the church property or worshipping with the congregation, except for limited ministries described below.

• The congregation must verify and record the fully-vaccinated status of choir members (whose ministry requires them to project their breath further and more forcefully than most worshippers), lectors or readers, and any liturgical leaders whose ministry requires speaking to the congregation.
  • If the fully-vaccinated status of a choir member or liturgical leader cannot be verified, that individual must remain masked and at least six feet distant from anyone not in their household or immunological bubble, 10 feet while speaking and 15 feet singing.

• Communion shall continue to be offered in one kind only. The common cup is not yet authorized in this diocese.

• The congregation must make clear what parameters will apply to worship and gatherings so that individuals may make an informed choice about whether it is safe and appropriate for them to attend or participate in person.

• Worship materials, such as Prayer Books and Hymnals, may be returned to the pews and used as needed.
• Masking and distancing is still required for any children’s activities.
  • In Sunday school classes and activities for children under 16 (until July 10, and for children under 12 until two months after an approved vaccine for that age group is authorized), all children and adults must be masked. Adults are to maintain a six-foot or greater distance from children not in their household, and children are to maintain a three-foot or greater distance from one another.
  • Congregations and their tenants must continue to follow state and local guidance governing summer camps, schools, and pre-schools.
    

During the quarantine, when we did not have live services, flowers were not needed on the altar.  Prior to last March, we welcomed donations of flowers for Thanksgivings, Memorials, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Births, or other special occasions.
 
We are again LIVE at CHS and are asking for your donations of flowers for the altar each week.
 
To have flowers placed  at the altar and ambo, please use the "Donate" button below. Please indicate the reason so that we can acknowledge your gift in the bulletin. Right under the "Make this a monthly donation?" there is a tiny pencil.  That is where you click and type your reason - "in thanksgiving for the birth of our grandchild" .  No, it is not obvious!  If you can't figure out how to make the memorial online, email your reason to Support@churchholyspirit.net  along with the information that you donated online.

Altar Flower Donation

(If you use the  DONATE button at the bottom of CHSNews, the Trumpeter and/or the website please indicate that it is a flower donation and the reason so that we can acknowledge in the bulletin.)

To have your offering listed in the bulletin each week, we ask that you make your donation online no later than one week before; if you wish to pay by check, please email your information to Support@churchholyspirit.net no later than one week prior and mail your check to the church, attention Altar Guild.  The suggested donation amount remains at $35 per offering.
 
It will be lovely to have flowers on the altar every week.  Thank you for your donation.