Did You Know?

Did you know that the sky has more stars than a beach has sand?
If you assume a grain of sand has an average size, and you calculate how many grains are in a teaspoon, and then multiply by all the beaches and deserts in the world, the Earth has roughly (and we're speaking very roughly here) 7.5 x 1018 grains of sand, or seven quintillion, five hundred quadrillion grains. If we have a Hubble telescope and a calculator, we can count distant galaxies, faint stars, red dwarfs, everything ever recorded in the sky. The population of stars jumps enormously, to 70 thousand million, million, million stars in the observable universe (a 2003 estimate), so that we've got multiple stars for every grain of sand.

Did you know that the North Pole has only one sunrise per year?
The sun rises at the North Pole on the Spring Equinox around March 21st. For the next six months, the sun is always visible in the sky. Its maximum height, similar to our "noon," occurs at the Summer Solstice around June 21st. The sun sets at the North Pole on the Fall Equinox around September 21st. Although the sun is below the horizon for the next six months, the area is not in total darkness. The pole experiences periods of twilight before and after the lights go out. The South Pole follows a similar pattern, but in reverse! When the sun rises at the North Pole, it sets at the South Pole.

Did you know that National Ice Cream Day is recognized in July?
Thanks to President Reagan, we celebrate National Ice Cream Day every third Sunday in July, meaning July 21 this year. Reagan wanted to commemorate a treat enjoyed by over 90 percent of the US population. In 1984, he decreed a day for ice cream, and his proclamation actually glorified the dairy industry in America. In fact, Americans still lead the world when it comes to eating this frozen delight: 23 gallons a year to be precise. Reagan also proclaimed July as National Ice Cream month, describing ice cream as ''a nutritious and wholesome food enjoyed by over ninety percent of the people in the United States.''
Since then, the holiday has sparked worldwide cravings and is traditionally celebrated year after year.

Garden Party

Our second annual garden party was a resounding success! Last Saturday, July 13th, we gathered at the stunning Galvez home and garden for an evening filled with joy, music and laughter. Despite the summer heat, the cool vibes and enthusiastic turnout made the event truly special. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended and supported our celebration. Special appreciation goes out to the dedicated event planners whose hard work and creativity made this occasion unforgettable. Here's to many more successful garden parties in the future! SEE PHOTOS ABOVE.

BSA Troop 76 Court of Awards

We are thrilled to announce that Cristian Soler from Troop 76 has achieved the prestigious Eagle Scout rank, the highest accomplishment in scouting. The recognition ceremony took place at Christ Church last Saturday, where Fr. Trevor, Troop 76 leaders, fellow scouts, family, and friends gathered to celebrate this remarkable achievement. Cristian demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication in earning his Eagle Rank, culminating in a significant project at Christ Church. Special thanks go to Mr. Watson, Mr. Fehr, Ms. Elizabeth, and Ms. Charlotte for their unwavering support, as well as to Cristian's family for their integral role in his journey to this remarkable milestone. SEE PHOTOS ABOVE.

BSA Troop 76 Eagle Scout Project - Christian Soler

Cristian successfully completed his Eagle Scout Project at Christ Church. The project involved the demolition and replacement of planter beds, adding 2 new beds to bring the total to 6 raised planter beds. These beds have been transformed into a community garden that will provide fresh vegetables and fruits for those in need. You can find this wonderful garden on the northwest side of the church property behind the back parking lot. We commend Cristian for his hard work and dedication to this meaningful project that will benefit the community for years to come. SEE PHOTOS ABOVE.

**Please note that seeds or saplings for fruits and vegetables are welcomed as a donation to be planted.

Online Morning Prayer

Online Morning Prayer with Bishop Heyd Every Weekday at 8 a.m.
On Zoom at:
dioceseny.org/online-morning-prayer
Please note that you'll need to register before you join.

Click here https://dioceseny.org/online-morning-prayerto register.

Announcements

Coffee Hour

There will be a small sponsored coffee hour on Sunday, July 21st, 2024. This event will take place in the Guild room immediately after Sunday worship. Light refreshments will be served. We hope to see you there!
We are excited to announce that on Sunday, August 4th, 2024, a special coffee hour will be hosted by Anne Devlin to celebrate all the July and August birthday celebrants in our community! The event will be held in the Guild room right after Sunday worship. We invite everyone to join us for this joyful occasion and share in the festivities.

Outdoor Services for the Summer

We are excited to announce the upcoming schedule for our outdoor services. Mark your calendars for Sunday, August 25th, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., and Sunday, September 8th, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., followed by the Parish Picnic. Stay tuned for more details regarding the logistics of these outdoor services. Join us as we come together in faith and fellowship in the beauty of the outdoors.

Fr. Trevor's Vacation

In the absence of Fr. Trevor during his vacation, please reach out to the parish office or the wardens in case of any emergency needs. The wardens, Sheila Hewitt at 718-447-8049 and Nick Lettiere at 917-923-1884, can be contacted for immediate assistance.

Noonday Prayer

We would like to inform our community that our weekly Noonday Prayer services will be transitioning to previously recorded broadcasts while Fr. Trevor is on vacation. Live broadcasts will resume on August 8th, 2024.

Presiding Bishop Elect

The Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe, bishop of the Episcopal Dioceses of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York, was elected and confirmed the 28th presiding bishop and primate of The Episcopal Church on June 26 for a nine-year term beginning Nov. 1, 2024.

Parish Prayer List

The following individuals have requested our prayers:
Gary Allen, Betty Babb, Elma Babb, Erma Babb, Marcella Babb, Linda Blanchette, Chris Broderick, Deborah Broome, Eva Charney, Tulin Cileli, Marcia Clendenen, Sandra Cocks, Iris Colbourne, Carmen Conrado, Barbara Corregan, Laura Craig, Athelridge Cumberbatch, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, Ira Davis, Anne Devlin, Aria Durant, Marlene Elia, Garfield Evans, Christy Mary Finlay, Julio Gambuto, Sebastian Gattullo, Hersh Goldman-Polin, Steven Haley, Avion Hernandez-Elcock, Emilia, James Jackson, Tom, Jan and Mark, Jerry Keucher, Michael Kelly, Erica Korzekwinski, Jenna Love, Willie Marcus, The McIntosh Family, Eva McClary, Charles Price, T. Rauch, Chuck Reilly, John Rhoades, Edna Richardson, Deborah Rollock, Leila Rollock, Pastor Junior Ross, Barnett Shepherd, Daphne, Joyce & Eric Smith, Tom Smith, Thomas Sox, Erma St. Louis, Sheila Swigert, Fred & Rob Tucher, Lucille Williams, Roger Williams, Marsha Wynter, Debbie Vurckio, Joan Yearwood, and the people of The Girls and Boys of Heartshare St. Vincent's Services.

Please Note: The Prayer List is intended to uphold and encourage those who need healing prayers. If persons have been fully recovered and no longer need to be lifted up in this way, please let us know so that we can make room for others. This list will be updated every three months unless otherwise notified. If you need a loved one or friend to remain on the list, please call the parish office. Thank you!

Pray for the repose of the souls of for all the faithful departed. May their souls rest in peace.

We pray for all the frontline and essential workers in our parish, and around S.I. and the world.

We pray for the hundreds of asylum seekers in New York City, and particularly on Staten Island and ask God's Holy Spirit to help us as citizens, civic organizations and religious institutions to respond with love and compassion.

We pray for comfort to the families and communities impacted by gun and knife violence, and for the will and determination to enact appropriate gun control legislation and promote a culture of safety.

We pray for an end to armed conflict, and lift up the people of Palestine, Israel, Haiti, Ukraine, Russia and Sudan in the hopes that they can move towards peace and diplomacy.

We pray for those who are suffering from the impacts of systemic racism, and for those who are committed and working towards change, unity, and equality for all peoples.

We pray for all those negatively impacted by climate, environmental and naturally occurring disasters. We lift up the people of Venezuela, Barbados, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Mexico and Texas due the devastation of Hurricane Beryl.

We give thanks to God for the following individuals who are celebrating their Birthdays this week. Charlotte Hewitt (22), Sheila Swigert (23), Anne Alarcon (24), Michael Mazziotti (24), Jonas DelValle (25), Cora Gross (25), Barnett Shepherd (26).  

We give thanks to God for the individuals who are celebrating their wedding anniversaries this week: Jana Ballard & Carlos Rivera (24), Peter & Andre Raff (26). 

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for The Nippon Sei Ko Kai.

In the Episcopal Futures Prayer Cycle, we pray for all who seek God by strengthening their faith and serving their community.

In the Diocese of New York, we pray for +Michael our Presiding Bishop; +Matthew, +Allen, and +Mary, our Bishops; Trevor+ our Rector; St. James' Church (Fordham), Bronx; Companions of Mary the Apostle; The New Community Congregation at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine; St. James' Church, North Salem; St. James' Church, Goshen; St. Ann's Church, Bronx; and the Task Force for Diocesan Observances of the 50th Anniversary of Episcopal Women Priests.