News of the Week (and this week's announcements)

Here is the news of the week:

• This Sunday is Vacation Bible School Sunday!  Our 10am service will be held at Storrs Congregational Church as children from both parishes will tell the story of water and baptism in Bible.  Children have been working all week on stories and songs to tell, making fantastic creations representing Bible stories and children grades 5 and up have been going to the Click Kitchen in Willimantic where they helped in the kitchen, veggie garden and orchard. 
  
  
• The 8am service will be held at St. Mark's as usual. 
  
  
• This is also Covenant Soup Kitchen Sunday.  If you are interested in helping to prepare bag lunches, please reach out to Joan Doiron or Sondra Boyer for more information.
  
  
• Next Saturday is WAIM's Steeple Chase Bike Tour.  If you are interested in participating here is the link to sign up:  steeplechasebiketour.org
  
  
• On Sunday, September 23, Bishop Ahrens will lead the worship at services.  If you wish to be baptized, confirmed or received during the service, please let Rev. Brian know.  He will be offering two preparatory classes:  Sunday, September 16 from 12-1:30pm or Wednesday, September 19 at 7pm.
  
  
• All current Eucharistic Ministers and those wishing to be licensed to participate in this meaningful ministry are asked to attend a training/refresher session with Rev. Brian on Saturday, September 22 at 9am. 
  
  
• A new campus ministry will start when UConn resumes--there will be a Sunday night Campus Communion and Dinner every Sunday that UConn is in session, starting on Sunday, August 28.  Janet Belval is coordinating the dinners and welcomes help from those interested in campus ministry.  The first dinner will be a BBQ outside at the front of the church. 
  
  
• Another new campus ministry this fall is the initial gathering of the Progressive Christian Fellowship which will meet on Tuesday evenings at St. Mark's. Coming soon will be a calendar of events that the Campus Ministry Committee is putting together.  Much of the focus will be on social justice.    Many thanks to Janet Belval, Matt Ouellette, Jared Henderson and Rev. Brian for all their efforts to make this group a reality.
  
  
• Rev. Brian will be away next week as the Chaplain in Residence at Camp Washington.  He will be available for pastoral emergencies.   

There is still no update on the opening of the driveway.  Please continue to use the driveway by St. Thomas.