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We were inspired by the talks of Rev. Dr. M. Craig Barnes, the guest lecturer at Noroton Presbyterian Church,
the first weekend of the month. Rev. Barnes is the Pastor and Head of Staff of Shadyside Presbyterian Church
in Pittsburgh, PA and Professor at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He is also the author of several books,
including ”Hustling God” which Marilyn read and discussed with women in the early Tuesday morning bible group
at NPC.
Kei, the daughter of friends in our small group, is expecting her baby to arrive very soon. Friends gathered
one Sunday afternoon at the Gilliam home to shower Kei with many of the things she’ll need to
care for her newborn. Kei and her husband Roland moved here recently from Charlotte, North Carolina
for jobs in Ridgefield, which they plan to make their new home.
We hosted our 14th annual Sunday Brunch for Rowayton friends and neighbors – to chase away the winter
blaas – for a couple of hours, at least. 
One Monday evening, we helped to setup for the Alpha session at Noroton Presbyterian Church. Sixty
people were treated to a wonderful dinner, cooked by Claudia Roux. Afterwards, they watched and
listened to Nicky Gumbel’s talk about prayer – and then met in small groups to learn from each other
how to pray for themselves and others.We also enjoyed meeting with friends from the University of Alberta (Marilyn’s Alma Mater – see www.ualberta.ca ) for skating in New York’s Central Park and a pasta dinner afterwards. At another event at the Harvard Club in NYC we met U of A’s 12th President, Dr. Indira V. Samarasekera, who is a well-known international Metallurgical Engineering consultant.
And we previewed three parts of the epic documentary “Catholicism” which will be aired on Public Television in the fall. For more about this 10 week series, see www.wordonfire.org.
We also saw Budrus, a documentary about nonviolent solutions to the conflict between the Palestinians and the Israelis. For more about it, see www.justvision.org.
Please pray with us -
throughout this season of Lent
that you will open our minds
and stir our hearts
to follow you more faithfully.
We know that you died for us
when we were still sinners,
and we know we are sinners still.
But you have given us
a longing to be the people
you want us to be:
faithful, hope-filled and loving.
Help us to make
the most of these forty days
marked by fasting, prayer and almsgiving
so that we might draw near to you
and give you greater glory. Amen.
~ Creative Communications for the Parish
Craig Barnes
New Mother
Rowayton Friends
Alpha Friends