News of the Week (NOW) 4/23/2020 | St. Philip's Episcopal Church Easthampton

Be Careful: If you come here, you will grow!

A note from The Rev. Michael A. Bullock

23 April 2020

Dear Folks:

These are times that try our souls. With Governor Baker’s announcement that schools will remain closed through what was originally the end of this academic year, we receive yet another blow to our fervent desire for some sense of our normal lives. From pronouncements like this we now have the specter of protesters gathering at state capitals, demanding that the public health restrictions that have been imposed be removed. At best, these reactions are confusing. On the one hand, compassion demands a recognition of the fear that touches us all, when bills are due and routines are up-ended. Yet, on the other hand, these protests ring a bit hollow, orchestrated as they are more from inconvenience than emergency, and evidently overlooking the truth that the economy will be well, when the people are well. In any event, things feel as if they are falling apart; and in many cases they are – and even need to.

In the aftermath of World War I, the Irish poet, William Butler Yates wrote a poem that reflected the sentiment of many in Europe in a time of despair and confusion. Entitled, “The Second Coming”, Yate’s lyrics echo much of what we now can feel in the midst of this pandemic, as the Covid-19 virus strips away our sense of “normalcy”, much in the fashion that the “Great War” did in its time. Yates famously wrote:

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THIS SUNDAY
The Third Sunday of Easter
Sunday Worship & Coffee Hour
10:00 am on-line only

http://lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Easter/AEaster3_RCL.html

CLICK HERE FOR SUNDAY BULLETIN

https://www.youtube.com/user/Altonfreth/

Hello Friends,

Our Virtual Compline (Every evening at 8 pm) is progressing and getting better every day. I have provided the link in this email to get to my YouTube channel which is where you will find the videos both here and on our Facebook page.

Jason’s YouTube Channel.

THANK YOU for Maintaining Our Financial Health
During the Covid-19 Pandemic

During the first quarter of this year, parishioners donated 99% of the amount pledged for 2020. This is wonderful, considering all the changes we have experienced over the last two months. While some of our operating costs are being reduced because of social distancing, our income from use of our facilities has also dropped. In general, though, we are holding our own. But only because of your support.
Please continue to honor and maintain your financial pledge, while we are no longer in church together. You can mail your weekly pledge directly to St Philip’s at 128 Main Street, Easthampton, MA., 01027, attention Joe Bianca, or you can now pay your pledge or other donations securely online here: https://tithe.ly/give?c=1332157.

Thank you again and God bless you all,
The Finance Committee

The church office and our buildings are closed until further notice due to the advice of Bishop Fisher and Governor Baker.
However, Laura IS working from home.
Email is best to reach her.
office@stphilipseasthampton.org

Support of the Easthampton Community Center

During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Until May 4th, while schools are closed, the Easthampton the Community Center will be distributing Kids Bags every week, to qualifying families. Most of these children participate in the school free lunch program. There are several ways for us to support the Centers efforts.Donations of food items should be made directly to the center, located at 12 Clark Street. Monetary donations can be made directly to the center, via their Face Book page, or through St. Philip’s by sending a check to 128 Main Street, Easthampton. If you send a check to the Community Center please put St. Philip’s in the “For” line. If you send a check to St. Philip’s please put EHCC in the “For” line.

Either way, Thank You for your continued support of this ministry.

THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 25th

Hello Everyone,First of all, we’d like to thank you for volunteering for Take & Eat in the past. We really appreciate your help, as do our clients. The current virus outbreak has caused us to re-evaluate how we cook, pack, and deliver our meals to a very vulnerable population.

We plan to continue, as long as the kitchen is available, although we’ll be operating with a smaller crew to reduce exposure to each other and to our clients. We are asking the following of our volunteers as we go forward:

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All the Best,

Jon & the Take & Eat Team

Find Out More by clicking on Facebook or Website links below!

St. Philip’s Episcopal Church

128 Main Street

Easthampton, Ma 01027