News of the Week (NOW) 7/9/2020
A Note from Fr. Michael
9 July 2020
Dear Folks:

I had a discussion this week about our parish’s outreach ministry, “Take & Eat”; and in that chat I had yet another occasion to give thanks for what “we the people” of St. Philip’s do together as the Body of Christ – the Church, how individuals of faith are bound together to be and do more than we can be and do separately.

During this pandemic siege, institutions have come under attack, some with good reason.  Yet, an institution’s purpose and focus are to be a reliable container that carries people and experience to enact important values, avoiding the presumption of re-inventing the wheel at each juncture of time and challenge.  When institutions no longer serve as a vehicle of wisdom and delivery, they turn inward toward self-preservation and idolatry.  The disconnect between the peoples’ needs and the institutions capabilities creates confusion and (as we see in our own time) chaotic destruction.  People need institutions.  (We are not single cell amoebas; nor need we make things up as we go.) Yet, the reverse is also true: Institutions require people, their trust and respectful participation.

In the best sense of the term, St. Philip’s is an institution, a place we call “church”, the purpose of which is to be a container that carries the values and actions of Christ’s Body “from generation to generation”.  In 2021, St. Philip’s will mark its 150th anniversary.  What can we say about this “vehicle”?  Where can it help take us as God’s people?  How might it improve in this purpose?

“ Read More
TO JOIN ZOOM SERVICE AND COFFEE HOUR ON SUNDAY
at 10 am
CLICK HERE FOR SUNDAY BULLETIN
GRATITUDE TO, AND FROM,
REV. DR. JOHN L. HOOKER
Every week during Morning Prayer, we have been singing “You are God, we praise you” (Canticle 21, Te Deum laudamus.) This rich and singable setting is the work of the Rev. Dr. John L. Hooker.  A gifted composer, organist, and priest, he was the general editor of Wonder, Love, and Praise (“the green book.”) When I discovered that this title was not covered under our streaming/podcast license, I wrote to him.  He has graciously given us his permission to use it however we’d like.  Read More
Nightly Compline
We now have 8 people participating in the leading of Compline. Thank you to each and every one of them for their willingness to assist with this important ministry. One of the purposes of Compline is to close down the day and prepare ourselves for rest, but it is also a part of the larger purpose of having a book of common prayer. Read More
ZOOM SCRIPTURE STUDY SATURDAYS 10 AM
Track 1 Lectionary
http://http://lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Pentecost/AProp10_RCL.html 
HELP FOR THE STASINOS FAMILY

Thank you to everyone who has brought meals, groceries and donations to Jenny, Jason, David and Aria Stasinos. They are so grateful for the help. The meals, food and financial support have allowed Jenny to focus on caring for Jason and spending time together as a family.
We are hoping to keep the meals going, so that the family can be present with each other at the end of Jason’s life. Read More
THANK YOU for Maintaining Our Financial Health
During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Because of your commitment to invest in our church and ministries, we are pleased to report that we are meeting our budgeted revenues.  The Covid-19 Pandemic could have turned out to be an unprecedented time for the church, but you have not let that happen!  Thank you for continuing to help steward our small yet strong community!In the next couple of weeks the finance committee will be sending out year to date, as of June 30, pledge statements.  If you see any discrepancies please let Joe Bianca or Julie Flahive know.

We still have six months to go, so please continue to honor and maintain your financial pledge, while we are not able to be 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
During the Covid-19 Pandemic
SUPPORT OF THE EASTHAMPTON COMMUNITY CENTER
The need for food aid continues to grow in our region, as more families become victims of the economic fallout associated with the pandemic.  The center continues to provide food aid to several hundred families and senior citizens as well as distributing a “Kids Bag” to every child every week.  Read More