I want to give the centurion in our Lukan Gospel passage the benefit of the doubt. When he seeks after Jesus so that he might heal his slave because "he valued him highly" I want to believe that it's not just that the slave was worth a lot of money. I want to believe that the slave was "highly valued" as a person. And this is possible given the kind of character he reveals in our story. He is already a significant benefactor of the local synagogue which is why he feels comfortable in asking the Rabbi to come to his house. But more so, when Jesus does come, he sends out other friends with a message that the Rabbi does not need to actually be present in person for the healing to occur. Jesus need only "speak a word" and the slave will be healed. Remarkable trust. 

Mission Trips with Partners in Development  There is a second team who signing up for August 6th this coming summer. The contact person is Suzanne Powell, suzanne.p@sbcglobal.net or 860 944-1132. The church is offering subsidies for this trip as well, up to half the cost! Make your registration payment and we'll reimburse you. The group of Christ Church parishioners who went in January is planning to return about the same time in 2017. 

Pastoral Notes/Prayers: here is the Prayer Chain for April-May.

July Schedule includes: Dave is away on vacation for the month of July unless there is pressing emergency and he can be contacted through the office or through the church email; July 3, 9:15 Eucharist with Jim Kellaway, July 10 & 17, 9:15 Eucharist with Joan Phelps, July 24 & 31st, Morning Prayer.