DEAR PEOPLE OF CHRIST CHURCH,
Our church schedules have changed a bit, the pace has eased somewhat, in between thunderstorms we have enjoyed incredibly balmy days. And that is wonderful. Summertime should have a different feel to it from the rest of the year. I hope that, in your households, too, you are finding some way(s) to make room in your schedules for some interior silence and reconnection to God.
I am convinced that into the summer gaps in the life at Christ Church the Holy Spirit is finding room to move in new ways. For example: One year ago I talked to Daniel Moses of the Seeds of Peace camp in Otisfield, together with Carlyn and Martin Watts who have connections with Seeds. We explored ways our congregation, and indeed the community, might join the mission of Seeds of Peace in some way or ways. The serious mission, which is to empower the young people who come to the Seeds camp each summer from other nations in conflicted parts of the world to learn strategies and skills of working with others whom their nations consider to be enemies. How can we learn from the Seeds mission ourselves and become partners with them? To that end, we and the people of St. Catherine's of Sienna, our Covenant partners, have invited Daniel to talk to us on Thursday, July 17 at 7:00 P.M.  Please see the article below to read more about that evening---and plan to attend!
The Spirit was also abundantly palpable during our July 6 service of Patriotic Lessons and Carols. Our church was packed and everyone participated, not merely the many who had special speaking parts. We have saved some bulletins for those who might not have been able to attend but who might want to see the service printed out. We have extra copies of the readings as well. AND there is a DVD of the service available for $10 from NPC TV at 445 Main Street (above Fare Share Food Coop). Simply phone 743-7859 to order a copy.  This service was extraordinary in the way it tapped into the felt gratitude to God each of us feels for the gift of the women and men who formed our country and have worked so hard down the years as prophets and leaders to carry on its ideals.

May the rest of your summer be a time of blessed gaps in your usual routine. Gaps which make room for the Spirit to move.

   Faithfully,
                              Anne

SEEDS OF PEACE: AN INVITATION
All are invited to Christ Church on Thursday, July 17 at 7:00 P.M. to hear from Daniel Moses, the Director of Delegation Leaders for Seeds of Peace. This evening is a joint Covenant offering from St. Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic Church and Christ Church.
Daniel eagerly accepted our invitation to visit us, to talk about Seeds and to answer our questions. He has entitled the evening, "Seeds of Peace: Cultivating the Environment for Seeds to Flourish."
The Seeds of Peace Camp is located on Pleasant Lake here in Otisfield. Youth come from far-flung places, especially those countries where there is political and other conflict as well as strife with neighboring nations. Seeds works to empower these young people to be leaders of the next generation, to equip them in communication and negotiating skills and to enable them to see the human face of their enemies.
Daniel Moses will talk to us about the genesis of Seeds of Peace, how Seeds has expanded, its mission. He will tell us stories. And he will explore with us ways we in the community and church can help in the Seeds effort. He already is bursting with ideas.
Please mark your calendars and join us in our air-conditioned (if necessary) church nave on Thursday the 17^th. Following our session with Daniel, we will gather for lemonade in the Guild Room for fellowship and more conversation.

Anne Stanley