Dear Friends in Christ,
This Sunday will be our first Sunday together again as priest and people after the sabbatical. I hope that many of you will be in church so that we can greet one another and worship together. Please plan to stay for the Potluck Lunch (see below); we’ll have a great reunion. Also, this Sunday at 10 am is our Visit from St. Nicholas, the Advent saint. All the children will go to their Sunday School classes and then join their families at the Peace. Even the PreK-Grade 2 class will come to worship after their lesson. It will be a joyful day. I look forward to seeing you!
+ + + + + + + + +
Sabbatical Sharing Potluck Lunch – Please join us for a Potluck Lunch in the Parish Hall following this Sunday’s 10:00 a.m. service. We will have the opportunity to welcome Vicki back and share our stories of this sabbatical time with each other. We look forward to learning how Vicki has been refreshed during her sabbatical. Even if you don’t have a dish to share please come!
Beth’s Ordination to the Priesthood: Next Saturday, December 10 (God willing and the people consenting) our curate, the Rev. Beth Rauen Sciaino, will be ordained to the priesthood here at All Saints’ Church at 10 am. A reception will follow in Parish Hall. The parish of All Saints’ has helped form Beth in her last year of seminary and now as a transitional deacon. All are welcome to celebrate this new part of her journey of faith in community. And if you are able to contribute a dessert (cookies, brownies, fruit, etc.) to the reception, please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex or call the parish office.
Pageant of the Nativity – our annual children’s pageant will take place on Sunday, December 18 at the 10 am service. The rehearsal will be on Saturday, December 17 at 9 am. All children are invited to participate, and we need parents to lend a hand, also. Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex.
November 23 was our deadline for 2012 pledges to allow us to budget for the coming year. There is still time to submit your pledge. At this point, only 70% of those who pledged for 2011 have done so for 2012. Please prayerfully reflect on your own giving, to All Saints’ and beyond, and submit your pledge to the Parish Office or in the offering plate. Your financial support, as well as investment of time and talent, is essential to All Saints’ ministry and mission.
Advent Taizé Services: Dr. Jody will lead a Taizé service on Wednesday nights at 7:00 – 7:30 p.m. during Advent (Dec. 7, 14 and 21). Taizé-style worship is conducted by candlelight and is made up of meditative chant, silence, and prayer. Taizé songs contain only a few words which can be quickly learned and as the words are sung over many, many times, this meditative singing becomes a way of listening to God. “It allows everyone to take part in a time of prayer together and to remain together in attentive waiting on God.” Join us for a wonderful opportunity to worship God during the Advent season of expectation, as we anticipate the gift of Christ at Christmas. Come, bring a friend, and leave feeling peaceful and calm.
Wondering About Tents – the Rummage Sale tents were moved from the church basement to the side entrance several weeks ago. They need to be put away before the Bishop comes for the ordination on Dec. 10. Will the person who moved them (or anyone else so inclined) please put them back or call the parish office and let us know that you can do this. Thanks!
Food for Friends – All Saints’ is the primary source of food donations for the Food for Friends food pantry at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Dover. If you don’t already make it a habit to donate food every time you come to church, please prayerfully consider embracing this effort as an Advent discipline. Non-perishable food items can be left in the barrel at the side door, or put in the basket in the Narthex on Sunday mornings. Food for Friends can always use canned fruit and vegetables, tuna, cereal, juice boxes, peanut butter, dried fruit, rice, pasta, canned beans. Thank you!
Pledge Update for the current year: As the year comes to a close please make sure your 2011 pledge is up-to-date. We budget with your pledges in mind and are currently facing a pledge shortfall of over $4,500. If you cannot fulfill your 2011 pledge to All Saints’ please speak with Deacon Beth so we can adjust the budget accordingly.
Christmas Outreach – We’ll be adopting a family for clothing and household necessities once again this year. Watch the Narthex easel for information about the needs of this family. Question? Speak to Jackie Sullivan. We are also collecting small toiletries and personal items for Ditty Bags for Morris View Nursing Home. Donations can be left in the basket in the Narthex. Pru Peterson can answer your questions about that. Finally, Millington and Central Schools are holding a warm coat drive and the coats will be given to the clients at Food for Friends at St. John’s, Dover. If you wish to participate in this effort, gently used coats can be left in the side entrance of the Church.
Kitchen Committee – Due to themold remediation in the Parish House lower level and the dismantling of the kitchen that comes with it, we invite anyone interested in serving on a Kitchen Committee to speak with Jackie Sullivan. This Committee will evaluate existing kitchen items, carry out a needs assessment of kitchen usage, and contribute to the redesign of the kitchen.
Thinking about serving on Vestry? We have a one-year position open on the Vestry. If you are interested in joining the Vestry, please speak with a vestry member, warden (Jackie Sullivan or Tom Day), or the curate.
Acolytes Needed: All 8th graders and high schoolers who are not currently acolyting during the 10:00 a.m. service are invited to join this important worship ministry. Our current group of faithful acolytes would really appreciate adding more youth to their ranks. Please speak with Deacon Beth or Janice Lettieri to volunteer and schedule training.
Confirmation, Spring 2012 – If your high schooler is considering being Confirmed this spring please submit his or her name to Deacon Beth by Tuesday, Nov. 28. The diocese has requested we send names to them by Dec. 1. A diocesan retreat for high school confirmands is scheduled for March 30-31. Confirmation will be held Sunday, May 6, at 3:00 p.m. at Trinity & St. Philip’s Cathedral in Newark with other parishes from Districts 3 and 7. If you are an adult who would like to be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church, please speak with Beth as well. An adult inquirers’ class can also be held in the spring if there is interest.
Knitters wanted! We need more knitters to make scarves and hats for Seamen’s Church Institute. Janet Mansfield has yarn and patterns for those who can knit; or if you’d like to learn, we’d be happy to teach you!
Sunday Altar Flowers are offered to the glory of God and in memory of loved ones who have died, or in thanksgiving for events or milestones. These people and events are remembered in the Sunday prayers. After worship the flowers are delivered to the sick or homebound. The altar flowers cost $48. Sign up on the flower chart on the hall door then make sure to send your check to the parish office a week before your Sunday. Two dedications can be made in the same week. Questions? Speak to Janet Mansfield.
Our annual Parish Christmas Open House is on sabbatical this year! With all that has happened in the parish in the last few months, and with Sunday’s Pot-Luck Lunch we’ll be taking a pass on this particular party. Catch us next year!
Blessings,
Vicki+
+ + + + + + + + +
Advent 2011 – Day 5
“. . . the work of salvation, in its full sense, is (1) about whole human beings, not merely souls; (2) about the present, not simply the future; and (3) about what God does through us, not merely what God does in and for us.”
― N.T. Wright, Surprised By Hope
This Sunday will be our first Sunday together again as priest and people after the sabbatical. I hope that many of you will be in church so that we can greet one another and worship together. Please plan to stay for the Potluck Lunch (see below); we’ll have a great reunion. Also, this Sunday at 10 am is our Visit from St. Nicholas, the Advent saint. All the children will go to their Sunday School classes and then join their families at the Peace. Even the PreK-Grade 2 class will come to worship after their lesson. It will be a joyful day. I look forward to seeing you!
+ + + + + + + + +
Sabbatical Sharing Potluck Lunch – Please join us for a Potluck Lunch in the Parish Hall following this Sunday’s 10:00 a.m. service. We will have the opportunity to welcome Vicki back and share our stories of this sabbatical time with each other. We look forward to learning how Vicki has been refreshed during her sabbatical. Even if you don’t have a dish to share please come!
Beth’s Ordination to the Priesthood: Next Saturday, December 10 (God willing and the people consenting) our curate, the Rev. Beth Rauen Sciaino, will be ordained to the priesthood here at All Saints’ Church at 10 am. A reception will follow in Parish Hall. The parish of All Saints’ has helped form Beth in her last year of seminary and now as a transitional deacon. All are welcome to celebrate this new part of her journey of faith in community. And if you are able to contribute a dessert (cookies, brownies, fruit, etc.) to the reception, please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex or call the parish office.
Pageant of the Nativity – our annual children’s pageant will take place on Sunday, December 18 at the 10 am service. The rehearsal will be on Saturday, December 17 at 9 am. All children are invited to participate, and we need parents to lend a hand, also. Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex.
November 23 was our deadline for 2012 pledges to allow us to budget for the coming year. There is still time to submit your pledge. At this point, only 70% of those who pledged for 2011 have done so for 2012. Please prayerfully reflect on your own giving, to All Saints’ and beyond, and submit your pledge to the Parish Office or in the offering plate. Your financial support, as well as investment of time and talent, is essential to All Saints’ ministry and mission.
Advent Taizé Services: Dr. Jody will lead a Taizé service on Wednesday nights at 7:00 – 7:30 p.m. during Advent (Dec. 7, 14 and 21). Taizé-style worship is conducted by candlelight and is made up of meditative chant, silence, and prayer. Taizé songs contain only a few words which can be quickly learned and as the words are sung over many, many times, this meditative singing becomes a way of listening to God. “It allows everyone to take part in a time of prayer together and to remain together in attentive waiting on God.” Join us for a wonderful opportunity to worship God during the Advent season of expectation, as we anticipate the gift of Christ at Christmas. Come, bring a friend, and leave feeling peaceful and calm.
Wondering About Tents – the Rummage Sale tents were moved from the church basement to the side entrance several weeks ago. They need to be put away before the Bishop comes for the ordination on Dec. 10. Will the person who moved them (or anyone else so inclined) please put them back or call the parish office and let us know that you can do this. Thanks!
Food for Friends – All Saints’ is the primary source of food donations for the Food for Friends food pantry at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Dover. If you don’t already make it a habit to donate food every time you come to church, please prayerfully consider embracing this effort as an Advent discipline. Non-perishable food items can be left in the barrel at the side door, or put in the basket in the Narthex on Sunday mornings. Food for Friends can always use canned fruit and vegetables, tuna, cereal, juice boxes, peanut butter, dried fruit, rice, pasta, canned beans. Thank you!
Pledge Update for the current year: As the year comes to a close please make sure your 2011 pledge is up-to-date. We budget with your pledges in mind and are currently facing a pledge shortfall of over $4,500. If you cannot fulfill your 2011 pledge to All Saints’ please speak with Deacon Beth so we can adjust the budget accordingly.
Christmas Outreach – We’ll be adopting a family for clothing and household necessities once again this year. Watch the Narthex easel for information about the needs of this family. Question? Speak to Jackie Sullivan. We are also collecting small toiletries and personal items for Ditty Bags for Morris View Nursing Home. Donations can be left in the basket in the Narthex. Pru Peterson can answer your questions about that. Finally, Millington and Central Schools are holding a warm coat drive and the coats will be given to the clients at Food for Friends at St. John’s, Dover. If you wish to participate in this effort, gently used coats can be left in the side entrance of the Church.
Kitchen Committee – Due to themold remediation in the Parish House lower level and the dismantling of the kitchen that comes with it, we invite anyone interested in serving on a Kitchen Committee to speak with Jackie Sullivan. This Committee will evaluate existing kitchen items, carry out a needs assessment of kitchen usage, and contribute to the redesign of the kitchen.
Thinking about serving on Vestry? We have a one-year position open on the Vestry. If you are interested in joining the Vestry, please speak with a vestry member, warden (Jackie Sullivan or Tom Day), or the curate.
Acolytes Needed: All 8th graders and high schoolers who are not currently acolyting during the 10:00 a.m. service are invited to join this important worship ministry. Our current group of faithful acolytes would really appreciate adding more youth to their ranks. Please speak with Deacon Beth or Janice Lettieri to volunteer and schedule training.
Confirmation, Spring 2012 – If your high schooler is considering being Confirmed this spring please submit his or her name to Deacon Beth by Tuesday, Nov. 28. The diocese has requested we send names to them by Dec. 1. A diocesan retreat for high school confirmands is scheduled for March 30-31. Confirmation will be held Sunday, May 6, at 3:00 p.m. at Trinity & St. Philip’s Cathedral in Newark with other parishes from Districts 3 and 7. If you are an adult who would like to be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church, please speak with Beth as well. An adult inquirers’ class can also be held in the spring if there is interest.
Knitters wanted! We need more knitters to make scarves and hats for Seamen’s Church Institute. Janet Mansfield has yarn and patterns for those who can knit; or if you’d like to learn, we’d be happy to teach you!
Sunday Altar Flowers are offered to the glory of God and in memory of loved ones who have died, or in thanksgiving for events or milestones. These people and events are remembered in the Sunday prayers. After worship the flowers are delivered to the sick or homebound. The altar flowers cost $48. Sign up on the flower chart on the hall door then make sure to send your check to the parish office a week before your Sunday. Two dedications can be made in the same week. Questions? Speak to Janet Mansfield.
Our annual Parish Christmas Open House is on sabbatical this year! With all that has happened in the parish in the last few months, and with Sunday’s Pot-Luck Lunch we’ll be taking a pass on this particular party. Catch us next year!
Blessings,
Vicki+
+ + + + + + + + +
Advent 2011 – Day 5
“. . . the work of salvation, in its full sense, is (1) about whole human beings, not merely souls; (2) about the present, not simply the future; and (3) about what God does through us, not merely what God does in and for us.”
― N.T. Wright, Surprised By Hope
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