Reflections

On a cool June morning, several “characters” from St. Paul’s gathered to plant our annual vegetable garden. From left to right the dirt team was Sue Jones (Lew was here earlier but had to go to work), Bob Hankey, Don and Mitzi Manning, Bruce Dailey (AKA Bucket-head), Bill and Lynn Freeman, Jennifer Westermann and Dolly Chergosky. The tomatoes were staked (can we have steak and tomatoes?) and beans planted along the fence, potatoes rotated to the front of the garden, and many, many bugs were swatted away from hot faces. Before lunch the whole thing was blessed and prayed for by all of us, prayers for another productive year, for timely rain (especially say around 4:00 A.M. each morning…) and for all the labor and love that make this garden a reality in its third year now. We will be calling on all of you to help maintain and water the garden, to help with harvest when that time comes, for the clean up when fall is underway. It is truly a garden of love and delight, a garden that blooms with abundance and grace each year. I seldom use this exclamation but I do so now with gratefulness and a big smile, PRAISE THE LORD!!

Thank You, God for the food on my table and for the cook who, like you, knows the secrets of creation. Thank you for plants, animals, and water, for my own life, which you nourish and sustain each day. Please, God, answer the prayers of all those who turn to you in need. May all who are hungry be blessed with food. May I never be indifferent to the cries of those in need of my assistance. May I never take my good fortune for granted. Thank you, God, Creator of all. Amen.                                                                                                 Naomi Levi (Talking to God, 2002)


                                Episcopal Relief & Development:
                                Haitian Earthquake Disaster Relief

    The Haitian capital was largely destroyed in a 7.0 magnitude earthquake, the most powerful earthquake to hit the beleaguered country in more than 200 years. To aid our fellow Province II diocese I am coordinating a diocesan relief effort. Please send checks made out to Episcopal Relief & Development, (note “Haitian relief” in the memo line) to the following address:
                                            Episcopal Relief & Development
                                            c/o St. Alban's Episcopal Church
                                            1308 Meadowbrook Drive
                                            Syracuse, NY 13224-1718

Thank you, The Rev. Julie E. Calhoun-Bryant
Diocesan Coordinator for Episcopal Relief & Development
P.S. Please note that you may also give online: www.er-d.org/

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