​Can a certain smell create a feeling of … peace?
 
As a child, my Sunday School perfect attendance pins attested to regular worship at my home (Presbyterian) church in Paterson, NJ.
 
In that church, from girlhood, through high school, I, received quarterly communion, cheered basketball games in the gym, cooked in the kitchen, babysat in the nursery and swooned over my first crush.
 
Church attendance? NOT an option, and my adult self is now grateful.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fast forward to my first time at CHI. I was struck at once by..the smell!  CHI’s old-church fragrance transported me immediately to my early years.
 
I felt God’s soothing welcome. 
 
I knew peace.
 
Each subsequent opportunity that I have to enter the sanctuary – I stop, sniff, inhale, and find the peace I seek.
 
 “The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.”       Isaiah 32:17
 

​The sanctuary at  The Church of The Holy Innocents 

The CHI wardens, vestry and discernment committee are thrilled to announce that the Reverend Sheelagh A. Clarke has agreed to join CHI as our priest in residence beginning the week of August 17. Thanks be to God!!!

Reverend Sheelagh will be part time, working about 20 hours a week, with one Sunday off each month.  Together with the Vestry she will provide spiritual and pastoral leadership, and work with us to develop a ministry plan and focus for the next phase of life at Holy Innocents.  We plan to begin to Zoom regular 10am Sunday worship with her in the sanctuary on September 6. (Details to follow.) Reverend Sheelagh is delighted to be joining us and will be sending an email letter to the CHI congregation very soon.

We have a lot to celebrate, but let’s begin by welcoming Reverend Sheelagh with a socially distanced “drive-thru welcome” through the church parking lot on Sunday, August 30 from 1-2. Plan to drive through, wave, beep your horns, blow your trumpets, ring your chimes and wear your masks. This is not a time to stop and visit, but you may pass through more than once if you like driving in circles:):)

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His mercy endures forever. Amen! 

I am linking a sermon from Washington Cathedral on Sunday, June 14 by Rev Dr William Barber II.  It's about the circumstances we find ourselves today.  It's long but profound.  It sheds light on the history of looking the other way and the movement taken shape all around us demanding change. 

I not only felt moved, but I felt compelled to shared it with quite a few friends and co-workers, who are struggling with the 'why' and how to navigate. 

The issues of racism and social justice impact us all, we need to talk about it, understand it and part of the solution.  Give a listen, you will be glad you did. 

Be kind to one another, 

Patti