Dear Friends in Christ,
Lent has begun. I hope you’ve all picked up a copy of the Lent 2020 Daily Practices calendar from the Signs of Life materials. It’s available in the Narthex (lobby) of the Church. The daily practice for Ash Wednesday was this: “Pray for strength to observe a holy Lent.” That is my prayer for you – that your Lent may be holy and life-giving. ~ VGM+
+ + + + + + +
Maximino Cerezo Barredo (Spanish, 1932–), Supper at Emmaus. Inscription, in Catalan: “El reconegueren quan partia el pa” (They recognized him when he broke the bread).
Here are this week’s announcements, especially:

• Sunday Forum: Praying with Icons (Christian Formation)
• Lenten Group: Signs of Life (Offerings for Lent)
• Scout Sunday (Worship)
• Simnel Cake Bake-off  (Parish Life)

OFFERINGS FOR LENT
Lent is the season in which we prepare to celebrate Christ’s Passion and Resurrection – the cornerstone and core of our faith. This year we are offering several ways for you to engage the season – either individually or in a group.

Evening Prayer, Mondays, 6:30 pm - 25 mins. of calm and connection at the end of your day. The service will also be live on the church's Facebook page.

Holy Eucharist & Healing Prayer, Thursdays, 7:00 am

Lenten Group – Signs of Life: Why Church Matters   Mondays, 7:00-8:30 pm. The themes of Light, Water, Food, Shelter, and Community are signs and symbols at the heart of Christian worship. They will be the basis of each week with a short video, a brief written reflection, and discussion. A Signs of Life Reader is available (whether you come to the group or not). Please sign up for the sessions on the sheet in the Narthex.

Lent Daily Practices Calendar – pick up the brochure containing a thought or action for each day. This calendar combines emphases from Signs of Life and the Way of Love.

Forward Day by Day – the new quarter of our daily devotional is available in both pocket-size and large print.

PARISH LIFE
Mid-Lent Simnel Cake Bake-Off: March 22 – The Fourth Sunday of Lent is a time when the church mood lightens and we relax our spiritual discipline for the day. Simnel Cake is a traditional British treat for this day. Bring your entries to Coffee Hour; the prize will be a reserved parking spot for Easter Day! Pick up your recipes and sign-up on the sheet in the Narthex.
Maundy Thursday Agapé Supper, April 9, 6:00 pm – this is a simple pot-luck meal before our worship at 7:30 pm. Mediterranean-themed dishes preferred/No dessert, please. We’ll be joined by our friends from the Christian Community.  We gather and eat together, as Jesus and his disciples did. Look for the sign-up sheet in the Narthex.

Thanks to Jane Hayden and everyone who helped with the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on Tuesday night. Despite the rain we were able to burn our prior-year palms in the Parish House fireplace!

Coffee Hour Hosts are needed for our conversation and fellowship time after worship. It’s a simple offering of coffee, tea, juice, and snacks/munchies. If you have questions or are not sure about making coffee, speak to John McGrath.
Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex.

CHRISTIAN FORMATION
This Sunday is Family Sunday so there is no Sunday School. Children should worship with their families.

Sunday Forum – our next Sunday Forum will be on March 15 at 11:15 am. Sister Deborah Francis will give a presentation and discussion on praying with icons. Do plan to come and learn about this visual form of prayer.

Bible Study will meets on Wednesday, March 4 at 10:15 am in the Rath House, discussing Revelation, Chapter 21. New folks are always welcome. Questions? Speak to Mother Vicki.

WORSHIP
During Lent at the 10 am service we follow the older Rite I form of our liturgy. At the end of the service the Dismissal will be given from the altar. The altar party will process out on the closing chant. The congregation is then invited to remain for a time of quiet personal prayer.

Next Sunday, March 11 is Scout Sunday. All Scouts BSA, Cub Scouts and Girls Scouts and their leaders are invited to wear their uniforms and participate in the Scout Exercises during the 10 am service.

STEWARDSHIP
Save the Date, May 17 at 4:00 pm – Altar Window Concert. Our Parish Choir will present a concert to continue our fund-raising efforts to restore our Resurrection Window. Be sure to invite your friends and neighbors!

ShopRite Cards – buy a ShopRite gift card for your own groceries or as a gift for someone else. You pay face value and All Saints’ gets 5%. See Barbara Barbeau or call the Parish Office.

OUTREACH
Family Promise: March 9 is our next date to serve at the homeless shelter program when it is hosted at Trinity House in Stirling. We always love to have new folks be part of this wonderful outreach ministry – cooking, greeting/visiting with shelter guests, staying overnight at Trinity House in a private room. Interested – want to help? Speak with Afsaneh Thursfield, faeritale@hotmail.com.

PARISH CALENDAR
3/2 Evening Prayer, Church, 6:30 pm (& on Facebook Live)
      Signs of Life Lent Group Rath House, 7:00 pm
3/4 Bible Study, Rath House, 10:15 am
3/5 Eucharist & Healing Prayer, 7:00 am, Church
      Junior Choir, 5:30 pm, Choir Room
      Adult Choir, 7:30 pm, Choir Room
For a full schedule of our buildings check the website calendar www.allsaintsmillington.org

CHRISTIAN PRACTICES
The Way of Love: Learn – February 27 in the Church calendar is the day we commemorate George Herbert (1593-1633). He was a priest and one of the foremost Christian lyrical poets, a friend and contemporary of John Donne. The following poem is an imagined dialogue between Love (Christ) and the soul (I), in which we are invited to reflect on God’s forgiving, welcoming love, and our own reluctance to forgive ourselves.

Love (III)
~ by George Herbert
Love bade me welcome: yet my soul drew back,
Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack
From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning
If I lacked anything.
“A guest,” I answered, “worthy to be here”:
Love said, “You shall be he.”
“I, the unkind, ungrateful? Ah, my dear,
I cannot look on thee.”
Love took my hand, and smiling did reply,
“Who made the eyes but I?”
“Truth, Lord; but I have marred them; let my shame
Go where it doth deserve.”
“And know you not,” says Love, “who bore the blame?”
“My dear, then I will serve.” “You must sit down,” says Love, “and taste my meat.”
So I did sit and eat.

Blessings, Vicki+

Dear Friends in Christ,
Lent begins next week. It’s an opportunity for us to take stock of where we are – in our relationships with others, in our work, our prayer, our practice of faith – and allow God to nudge us a bit (or maybe a lot!) to help us be less distracted, more intentional about putting our relationship with God front and center. In our worship we move to a more subdued tone – refraining from “Alleluia”; using purple vestments and altar hangings; replacing silver at the altar with brass, pottery, and wood; simplifying our service music and using the older Rite 1 language for both our Sunday services.

Research shows that the most effective way people grow in their faith and closeness to God is through participating in a group where they can share ideas and questions with others and engage Scripture and Christian ideas for themselves. Lent is an ideal time to do that. I hope you will consider being a part of the Monday night Signs of Life group that runs for five weeks. Or come to the Wednesday morning Bible study.

If you are looking for a book to read for Lent, the Church of England’s theme this year is #LiveLent: Care for God’s Creation, based on the book Saying Yes to Life by Ruth Valerio.Here’s a quote from the book’s description on Amazon: “As people made in the image of God, we are entrusted to look after what God has made – to share in the joy and creativity of God in making a difference for good. Ruth Valerio imaginatively draws on the Days of Creation (Genesis 1 - 2.2) in relating themes of light, water, land, the seasons, other creatures, humankind, Sabbath rest and resurrection hope to matters of environmental, ethical and social concern.”

Whatever you choose, I hope and pray you will approach Lent this year with purpose, humility, and hope, so that you will be ready to celebrate the joy and power of Christ’s Resurrection on Easter. ~ VGM+
+ + + + + + +
Here are this week’s announcements, especially:

• Murder Mystery Dinner Night – Feb. 22 (Parish Life)
• Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper & Burning of Palms – Feb. 25 (Parish Life)
• Signs of Life (Lenten Offerings)
• Ash Wednesday (Worship)
• Family Promise (Outreach)

PARISH LIFE
Grateful Gathering: February 22, 6:00 pm, Parish Hall 
Murder Mystery Dinner Night! This is a fun event to gather together as a parish and spend an evening together. Primarily for adults, it’s appropriate for youth in middle school and older, also. Table teams will work together to solve the mystery of a murder drama with a 1920’s/Jazz Age theme, directed by Laurie Gaulke. Dinner will be catered at $15 per person; you bring a dessert or appetizer. Period costumes welcome! Hope to see you there!

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, Feb. 25, 5:45-7:30 pm. Burning of the Palms, 5:30 pm
Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday – traditionally a time for using up all the butter/oil/sweets in the house – hence the pancakes! It’s also the day to burn last year’s Palm Sunday palms to make ashes for Ash Wednesday. If you have last year’s palms, please bring them.$5 per person/$20 maximum per household; kids under age 3 are free. Sign up on the sheet in the Narthex so we know you are coming and if you can help set-up/serve/clean-up. Thanks!

WORSHIP
Ash Wednesday, February 26 is the start of Lent. Here are the service times for the day:
9:30 am Eucharist & Ashes
7:30 pm Eucharist & Ashes with music
11:45 am-1:00 pm Drop-in for Prayer & Ashes
Evening Prayer, Mondays, 6:30 pm (5 weeks in March)
Holy Eucharist & Healing Prayer, Thursdays, 7:00 am

LENTEN OFFERINGS
Lent is the season in which we prepare to celebrate Christ’s Passion and Resurrection – the cornerstone and core of our faith. Traditionally the Church calls us to practice repentance by intentional prayer, care for the poor (almsgiving), and discipline of our bodies and souls (fasting). This year we are offering several ways for you to engage the season – either individually or in a group.

Lenten Group – Signs of Life: Why Church Matters; Mondays, 7:00-8:30 pm. The themes of Light, Water, Food, Shelter, and Community are signs and symbols at the heart of Christian worship. They will be the basis of each week with a short video, a brief written reflection, and discussion. A Signs of Life Reader is available (whether you come to the group or not). Please sign up for the sessions on the sheet in the Narthex.

Lent Daily Practices Calendar – pick up the brochure containing a thought or action for each day. This calendar combines emphases from Signs of Life and the Way of Love.
Forward Day by Day – the new quarter of our daily devotional is available in both pocket-size and large print.
Individual Confession can be an important and life-giving practice, and Lent is a particularly good time to try this. Please make an appointment with one of the clergy if you would like to make a confession.
STEWARDSHIP
ShopRite Cards – buy a ShopRite gift card for your own groceries or as a gift for someone else. You pay face value and All Saints’ gets 5%. See Barbara Barbeau or call the Parish Office.

Save the Date, May 17 at 4:00 pm – Altar Window Concert. Our Parish Choir will present a concert to continue our fund-raising efforts to restore our Resurrection Window.
OUTREACH
Family Promise: March 9 is our next date to serve at the homeless shelter program when it is hosted at Trinity House in Stirling. We always love to have new folks be part of this wonderful outreach ministry – cooking, greeting/visiting with shelter guests, staying overnight at Trinity House in a private room. Interested – want to help? Speak with Afsaneh Thursfield, faerietale@hotmail.com.

CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Bible Study will meet on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 10:15 am in the Rath House, discussing Revelation, Chapter 20. New folks are always welcome. Questions? Speak to Mother Vicki.

Sunday Forum – our next Sunday Forum will be on March 15 at 11:15 am. Sister Deborah Francis will give a presentation and discussion on praying with icons. Do plan to come and learn about this visual form of prayer.
AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Open Minds – Harmonium Concert; Saturday, February 29 at 8:00 pm & Sunday, March 1 at 3:00 pm at The Presbyterian Church in Morristown, 57 East Park Place, Morristown, NJ, 07960. At a time when so many people are aware of and experiencing mental health issues of all kinds – personally or with those they love – the theme of this concert is very appropriate. It focuses on mental health with the major new cantata Open Minds by Rob Redei on poetry by Deborah Kennedy, and works by Allegri, Parente, Barnwell, Trumbore, James Taylor and more. Harmonium is a Morristown-based choral society that includes professional and highly skilled amateur choral singers between the ages of 16 and 80+. For tickets and further information, please take a look here: http://www.harmonium.org/

PARISH CALENDAR
2/25 Burning of Palms, Parish House, 5:30 pm
         Pancake Supper, Parish House, 5:45-7:30 pm
2/26 Holy Eucharist & Ashes, 9:30 am
         Bible Study, Rath House, 10:15 am
         Drop-in for Ashes & Prayer, 11:45 am-1:00 pm
         Holy Eucharist & Ashes, 7:30 pm
2/27 Eucharist & Healing Prayer, 7:00 am, Church
        Junior Choir, 5:30 pm, Choir Room
        Adult Choir, 7:30 pm, Choir Room

For a full schedule of our buildings check the website calendar www.allsaintsmillington.org
CHRISTIAN PRACTICES
The Way of Love: Rest – “As a person of faith in a world of diminishing faith, what do you need? Could you use some rest? Can you imagine a break from the worry, division, and anxiety that dominates our conversations and country? Would you consider allowing your fears to rest in the company of Jesus? Are you willing to explore this practice of quiet reflection, prayer, and rest?” ~ from Bishop Hughes’ reflection on rest and quiet which is on the diocesan webpage. Here is the link to the full article: https://dioceseofnewark.org/bishops-vlog/come-me-yourselves-quiet-place-and-get-some-rest

Blessings, Vicki+

All Saints' Episcopal Church, as a beneficiary of the Harold A. White Testamentary Trust, in the course of litigation, asserted an allegation of self-enrichment against Terence Golden as Trustee of the Trust. Upon further reflection, we have resolved and withdrawn all claims against Mr. Golden and we regret this dispute arose n the first place. We offer this apology to Mr. Golden and thank him and his family for their years of service to Charles A. White.

Dear Friends in Christ,
The Annual Parish Meeting will be this Sunday, February 9 at 11:15 am in the Parish House. We’ll elect new Vestry members and deputies to Diocesan Convention. We’ll hear from our parish clergy and lay leaders. And we’ll have time for discussion and fellowship with fellow parishioners. Please plan to attend this important event in the life of our parish.
The following people are standing for election (as of 1/30/2020): Linda Kestler - Warden; Randy Gaulke, Steve Kowalik - Vestry; Waring Webb - Convention Deputy.

And on a sad note - we've had word that Lorraine Shand, a former All Saints' parishioner of many years who moved away quite some time ago, died earlier this week. Her funeral and internment in the Memorial Garden will take place on Saturday, February 15 at 10:00 am. May Lorraine rest in the Peace of Christ and rise in the Glory of God.
+ + + + + + +
Here are this week’s announcements, especially:

• Prince Caspian Film (Christian Formation)
•  Lenten Learning – Signs of Life (Christian Formation)
• Murder Mystery Dinner Night (Parish Life)
• Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper  (Parish Life)

PARISH LIFE
Grateful Gathering: February 22, 6:00 pm, Parish Hall - Murder Mystery Dinner Night! This is a fun event to gather together as a parish and spend an evening together. Primarily for adults, it’s appropriate for youth in middle school and older, also. Table teams will work together to solve the mystery of a murder drama with a 1920’s/Jazz Age theme: “Stiffed at Speakeasy”. Dinner will be catered at $15 per person; you bring a dessert or appetizer. Laurie Gaulke is our director; she and Patricia Vovchansky will need help to set up and decorate. There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex to volunteer. Look for the invitation from Punchbowl in your inbox, bring your friends and join us for a fun evening!

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, Feb. 25, 5:45-7:30 pm. Burning of the Palms, 5:30 pm
Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday – traditionally a time for using up all the butter/oil/sweets in the house – hence the pancakes! It’s also the day to burn last year’s Palm Sunday palms to make ashes for Ash Wednesday. If you have last year’s palms, please bring them.$5 per person/$20 maximum per household; kids under age 3 are free. Sign up on the sheet in the Narthex so we know you are coming and if you can help set-up/serve/clean-up. Thanks!

Coffee Hour Hosts are needed for our conversation and fellowship time after worship. It’s a simple offering of coffee, tea, juice, and snacks/munchies. If you have questions or are not sure about making coffee, speak to John McGrath. Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex.

CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Prince Caspian Film - on Sunday, February 16 at 4:00 pm we'll have a screening of Prince Caspian (based on C.S. Lewis' book) in the Lower Room of the Parish House! This is a follow-up to our Narnia Book group, and it's open to all - adults and kids alike...even if you've never read the book! Hope to see you there.

Bible Study will meets on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 10:15am in the Rath House, discussing Revelation, Chapter 18. New folks are always welcome. Questions? Speak to Mother Vicki.

Sunday Forum – our next Sunday Forum will be on March 15 at 11:15 am. Sister Deborah Francis will give a presentation and discussion on praying with icons. Do plan to come and learn about this visual form of prayer.

Lenten Learning – Signs of Life: Why Church Matters Monday evenings in March, 7:00-8:30 pm. This program from Virginia Theological Seminary & the Society of St. John the Evangelist exploring the signs and symbols at the heart of Christian worship includes a short video, a brief written reflection, and discussion. There is also a Daily Practices calendar for Lent which you can pick up in the Narthex.
Here is a quote from the material: “Worship engages our deepest human needs and has the power to transform our lives. [This study] explores the riches of our worship traditions, liturgy and sacraments, and the art and architecture of our worship spaces, revealing the full meaning of these signs, deepening our experience of Christian vocation and guiding us toward ongoing conversion.” Please sign up for the Lenten group on the sheet in the Narthex and plan to bring a friend!

WORSHIP
Ash Wednesday, February 26 is the start of Lent. Here are the service times for the day:
9:30 am Eucharist & Ashes
7:30 am Eucharist & Ashes with music
11:45 am-1:00 pm Drop-in Prayer & Ashes

STEWARDSHIP
ShopRite Cards – buy a ShopRite gift card for your own groceries or as a gift for someone else. You pay face value and All Saints’ gets 5%. See Barbara Barbeau or call the Parish Office.

Save the Date, May 17 at 4:00 pm – Altar Window Concert. Our Parish Choir will present a concert to continue our fund-raising efforts to restore our Resurrection Window.

OUTREACH
Family Promise: March 9 is our next date to serve at the homeless shelter program when it is hosted at Trinity House in Stirling. We always love to have new folks be part of this wonderful outreach ministry – cooking, greeting/visiting with shelter guests, staying overnight at Trinity House in a private room. Interested – want to help? Speak with Afsaneh Thursfield, faerietale@hotmail.com.

CONVENT CORNER@CSJB in MENDHAM
You’re invited to the Convent! If any All Saints parishioners would like to have a tour of the Convent, walk our outdoor labyrinth, stop by for noonday prayer or join us for lunch on a Sunday after church, please contact Sister Monica Clare at srmc@csjb.org. Since one of our primary ministries is hospitality, we always welcome visitors.

PARISH CALENDAR
2/11 Finance Committee, Rath House, 7:30 pm
2/12 Bible Study, Rath House, 10:15 am
2/13 Eucharist & Healing Prayer, 7:00 am, Church
        Junior Choir, 5:30 pm, Choir Room
        Adult Choir, 7:30 pm, Choir Room
2/15 Funeral: Lorraine Shand, Church, 10:00 am
For a full schedule of our buildings check the website calendar www.allsaintsmillington.org

CHRISTIAN PRACTICES
The Way of Love: Bless – We all like to receive blessings – even if it’s someone saying “God bless you” when you sneeze. And we may take time at the end of each day remembering and reflecting on the ways in which we have been blessed.
But how often do we consider the ways we may be a blessing to others? We might think about offering a neighbor a ride to the doctor; but what about helping to watch a two-year old when you are in the line at the DMV as the child’s parent fills out paperwork? How about responding with a kind (or at least calm) answer when angry, hurtful words want to come out of your mouth?  How about praying for the health of someone who is struggling, but you don’t particularly like?  

In Matthew’s Gospel, in Chapter 5, Jesus told his disciples and the crowd at large that they would be blessed to the extent that they were pure in heart, peacemakers, poor in spirit, when they mourn, when they hunger and thirst for righteousness. All these are values quite different from what most of our surrounding culture and society tell us is important. And yet, they are important enough to Jesus to name them as signs of blessing.

How will you offer yourself to be a blessing to others in the week ahead?

Blessings, Vicki+