Our Rector Message November 1st, 2024

Dear Friends,
All Saints Day has for me always been a harbinger of sorts, a clear indicator on the calendar that the holidays are nearly here. The trees are still (usually) displaying all the beauty of Autumn, and yet we know that the colder weather approaches. We can look forward to evenings warmed by a fire in the fireplace and mornings with a bit of frost on the pumpkin. Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas will not be long in coming.
Another such harbinger, at least here at St. Raphael’s, is our October Charity of the Month Threads of Hope Angel Tree outreach program, which works every year to provide a
happier Christmas to children in our community.
Once again this year our focus was on collecting monetary donations instead of the actual Christmas presents themselves. We have learned that the Angel Tree program, owing to its longstanding reputation as a charitable organization, is able to purchase Christmas gifts in a more cost-effective fashion than we are able to do by purchasing them individually in retail stores

As many of you will recall, each year at Christmas St. Raphael’s, as a parish, “adopts” a local family (or families) in the community. We call this program, “Quiet Christmas Cheer,” and its purpose is to quietly help by offering support to a family or families facing challenges.

This year we will be helping one family that has continued to experience significant challenges this year. This will be the same family whom we adopted last year, and whom we have continued to support throughout this year.

 While I cannot disclose too many specifics about the family's circumstances, I am able to share that it is due in large measure to your generous contributions to the Rector’s Discretionary Fund that they have been able to move into a new home of their own. They continue to face some very significant health challenges, which they have done (in my view) with great faith and humility in the face of significant adversity. More complete information regarding individual sizes and som forth for the children was not yet available by our Messenger publication deadline, but the
information I do have is this:
Father (size L) and mother size L and XL, (both in their early 30s.)
The three boys are aged 13, 10, and 7.
More specific size information (and any other particulars I can gather in terms of interests or hobbies) will be forthcoming as soon as it is received. In addition to Christmas gifts (or gift cards) we will once again provide Christmas dinner for the family, so donations of canned goods and traditional trimmings are also appreciated.
Sylvia joins me in wishing each of you a blessed holiday season.

Litany of Thanksgiving
Let us give thanks to God our Father for all his
gifts so freely bestowed upon us.
For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in
earth and sky and sea,
We thank you, Lord.

 For all that is gracious in the lives of men and
women, revealing the image of Christ,
We thank you, Lord.
For our daily food and drink, our homes and
families, and our friends,
We thank you, Lord.
For minds to think, and hearts to love, and
hands to serve,
We thank you, Lord.
For health and strength to work, and leisure to
rest and play,
We thank you, Lord.
For the brave and courageous, who are patient
in suffering and faithful in adversity,
We thank you, Lord.
For all valiant seekers after truth, liberty, and
justice,
We thank you, Lord.
For the communion of saints, in all times and
places,
We thank you, Lord.
Above all, we give you thanks for the great
mercies and promises given to us in Christ
Jesus our Lord;
To him be praise and glory, with you, O
Father, and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever.
Amen.
Be well,
Be safe,
Be thankful,
for we have been richly blessed.
Father Tom+