A Note from Reverend Jeannie Loughrey
Dear Friends,
I'm sure we all agree: during this time when we're unable to gather together for worship, study and socially, it is important that we continue to know and exercise community.
To that end., I will take time each day to phone and/or email individuals and, when pastorally necessary, to visit. I will also prepare a brief daily reflection and ask our wonderful communications team to forward it to you. Additionally, each Friday, I will also ask team members to forward the readings for the coming Sunday, along with some questions emerging from them and a list of received prayer requests.
Please forward any prayer requests to me. When you do, kindly let it be known whether your request is to remain confidential or whether you wish it included in the Friday email. Do not hesitate to call or email me,
(819) 664-5058
and ejloughrey@gmail.com or one of your wardens (Steve Picard and Mark Gauthier) should there be any way in which we and others may be of needed help.
The following counsel was printed in The National Review. It was submitted by a woman who received it from the rabbi of her congregation.
"One of the brand new terms that has entered our daily conversation is "social distancing". It is shorthand, as we know very well, for the practical, physical precautions we all need to and must take in order to protect ourselves and others. I'd humbly suggest though that we use the term itself sparingly, if at all. Language is a powerful shaper of thinking. And the very last thing we need right now is a mindset of mutual distancing. We actually need to be thinking in the exact opposite way. Every hand that we don;t shake must become a phone call we place.Every embrace that we avoid must become a verbal expression of warmth and concern. Every inch and foot we physically place between ourselves and another must become a thought as to how we might be of help to each other should the need arise. It is obvious that distancing, if misplaced or misunderstood, will take its toll not only upon our community's strength and resiliency but upon the very integrity and meaning of our spiritual commitment. And who know if it was for this time that we have committed ourselves to walk in God's ways . . . Let's stay safe. And let's draw one another closer in a way we've never done before."
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil 4:6-7, NIV)
Yours in faith,
Jeannie
I'm sure we all agree: during this time when we're unable to gather together for worship, study and socially, it is important that we continue to know and exercise community.
To that end., I will take time each day to phone and/or email individuals and, when pastorally necessary, to visit. I will also prepare a brief daily reflection and ask our wonderful communications team to forward it to you. Additionally, each Friday, I will also ask team members to forward the readings for the coming Sunday, along with some questions emerging from them and a list of received prayer requests.
Please forward any prayer requests to me. When you do, kindly let it be known whether your request is to remain confidential or whether you wish it included in the Friday email. Do not hesitate to call or email me,
(819) 664-5058
and ejloughrey@gmail.com or one of your wardens (Steve Picard and Mark Gauthier) should there be any way in which we and others may be of needed help.
The following counsel was printed in The National Review. It was submitted by a woman who received it from the rabbi of her congregation.
"One of the brand new terms that has entered our daily conversation is "social distancing". It is shorthand, as we know very well, for the practical, physical precautions we all need to and must take in order to protect ourselves and others. I'd humbly suggest though that we use the term itself sparingly, if at all. Language is a powerful shaper of thinking. And the very last thing we need right now is a mindset of mutual distancing. We actually need to be thinking in the exact opposite way. Every hand that we don;t shake must become a phone call we place.Every embrace that we avoid must become a verbal expression of warmth and concern. Every inch and foot we physically place between ourselves and another must become a thought as to how we might be of help to each other should the need arise. It is obvious that distancing, if misplaced or misunderstood, will take its toll not only upon our community's strength and resiliency but upon the very integrity and meaning of our spiritual commitment. And who know if it was for this time that we have committed ourselves to walk in God's ways . . . Let's stay safe. And let's draw one another closer in a way we've never done before."
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil 4:6-7, NIV)
Yours in faith,
Jeannie