Dear Friends in Christ,

This has been a difficult and trying week for all of  us with the events of our nation so very present and fast moving, particularly the Boston marathon bombing on Monday, and its aftermath.  I hope that you are all now regaining a sense of peace and stability.

In the midst of all this I received the news on Thursday that my aunt Margery Faulkner Geer died late Thursday afternoon. She lived in Indiana, as do her children and their families.  I will be flying to Fort Wayne on Wednesday morning for the funeral, along with my sister; I will return home on Saturday.  I am in the process of arranging clergy coverage in my absence. Our parish administrator Susie Harris will have the name and number of the covering priest, as will the Wardens, and I will be available by cell phone, if needed.

Both Wednesday morning and evening Bible studies will be cancelled for the week, as will Wednesday Evening Prayer, and the Thursday morning Eucharist and Healing Prayer.  The regular schedule will resume the following week.

Thank you for your prayers, and your patience.
+ + + + + + +
WORSHIP
Evening Prayer, Wednesdays 7:15 pm (2nd and 4th weeks of the month: 5/8 & 5/22). Scripture, prayer and psalms.  Come for a mid-week calm and connection with God. No Evening Prayer April 24.

Special Needs Worship: All God's Children - April 21, 12-12:30 PM. For children and families with a range of special needs – including anyone who has a hard time sitting still! Refreshments and gluten-free snacks afterwards in the Parish House. Volunteers welcome!

Wedding Bells - The honor of your presence is requested at the marriage of Jody Alexandra Doktor and Shea Thomas Velloso on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at half-past ten in the morning at All Saints’ Church. Celebratory toast to follow!

SUNDAY SCHOOL/YOUTH
Sunday School
4/21: Sunday School
4/28: Sunday School; J2A after coffee hour
5/5: Family Service; Recognition of Communion Class, Baptism, Blessing of the Gardens for Rogation Day.

Communion Class –– for 1st and 2nd graders to learn more about the Eucharist.  The first class has already met; the final two are on Mondays from 4-5:15 pm with Mother Vicki in the Rath House,  4/22, and 4/29. This is an important step in a child’s Christian education and faith development. On May 5th the children who have completed the class will be recognized at the 10 am service.

ADULT SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
Bible Study-Bible Buddies groups meet as follows:
Wednesday morning 10:15 am in the Church Narthex
Wednesday evening 7:45 pm in the Rath House-2nd and 4th weeks (5/8, 5/22).
There will be no Bible Study groups this week.

We are following The Bible Challenge – if you have gotten behind on your Bible reading, don’t get discouraged!  Here is an idea for a way forward: 1) Get caught up and stay current in your New Testament reading – that’s the most important. 2) Don’t try to catch up with the Psalms (they’ll come around again).  Just pick up with the Psalm of the day. 3) As you are able, read more of the Old Testament.  This Challenge is a big project, but well worth whatever time, energy and prayer you are able to give to it.  There is no way to lose here! So where are we now? Monday, April 22 is Day 71 and the readings are Deuteronomy 19-21, Psalm 59, Luke 17.  If you have questions speak to Mother Vicki.

Women’s Book Group Our next book for discussion is Orphan Train, by Christina Baker Kline. We meet on Wednesday, May 15 at 7:30 pm in the Rath House.   The group is for all women, parishioners and friends alike.  Hope you can join us.

OUTREACH
The United Thank Offering (UTO) began in 1886 as women of the Episcopal Church sought to extend mission and outreach. We give thanks to God each day for our many blessings and pray for others; as we do this, we set aside money in a blue UTO box (or some other container). On Mother’s Day we return our blue boxes or envelopes to Church to be added to the visible thanksgivings of others in our diocese and national Church.  The funds are then used for mission and ministry throughout the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. Please take an envelope or box home with you today. It all starts with offering thanks to God.

FUN AND FUND-RAISING
The Parish House kitchen has been organized and we need some utensils and equipment to finally complete last year’s kitchen replacement program.  In addition, we are replacing the old, banged up folding chairs in the Lower Room with new dark brown ones.  You are invited to “adopt” a chair(s) and/or kitchen equipment by taking one of the envelopes on the Narthex door and supplying the contents. 
Questions?  Speak to Jackie Sullivan.

RECYCLE - Keep bringing in those used printer & toner cartridges! We receive eight this week! Thank you! We receive $2 credit at Staples for each cartridge. In 2012, we raised $476 toward office supplies! Remember to drop them off in the box in the Narthex.  ~Susie Harris

BUNCO is coming!  Friday, May 31.  Watch for more details, get a group together or sign up on your own, and come for a fun evening!

STEWARDSHIP
Stewardship - It’s never too early to teach your children about the tool of money. Teach them how to work for it and they learn pride and self-respect. Teach them how to save it and they learn security and self-worth. Teach them how to be generous with it and they learn love. — Judith Jamison, African-American dancer and choreographer

Worship Attendance (Combined Services)
Easter III (April 14)        89
YTD Sunday Total     1367
YTD Sunday Average     95

Parish House Construction Update – We are moving into the final phase of construction. The hardwood floor in the entry has been installed and is waiting for stain. The kitchenette area is painted and the cabinets will be installed next week.  Upcoming: finishes (including lighting fixtures), painting, the wheel chair lift will be the last thing to be installed, and the dry well still has to be dug and built.
+ + + + + + +
A Collect for the Nation

Lord God Almighty, you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: Give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen . ~ Book of Common Prayer, page 258

Blessings,
Vicki McGrath+

Written and sent to the parish April 17

Dear Friends in Christ,

Yesterday’s news from the finish line of the Boston Marathon was shocking. Patriot’s Day is a major holiday in Massachusetts, and Boston especially – stemming from our national history in the American Revolution.  It is all about pride in our country’s history and who we are as a people.  Boston, of course, was a primary center of the movement that resulted in our founding as an independent nation.  Add to that the long and storied history of this particular marathon; it makes the emotional impact of this criminal action even greater.

Many of us know people who ran the race or had reason to be in Boston yesterday.  For those are safe and well, we offer our thanksgivings.  For those who suffered grievous harm, and especially for those who died, we offer our prayers.

While it may be some time before the perpetrators are caught, and their “reasons” for causing such mayhem are known, we must not let ourselves get down-hearted.  As followers of Jesus, we know that evil exists; we only have to look back over our shoulder to Good Friday just a few short weeks ago to see the prime example of it. But we also know that God’s love and goodness are greater than evil, even when it rears its ugly head in our life.  One very tangible example of that is the way the first responders ran towards the site of the explosions immediately.  Some of you will have seen on Facebook the quotation from Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers) that began making the rounds yesterday afternoon: “When I was a boy and would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers.  You will always find people who are helping.’  To this day, especially in times of “disaster,” I remember my mother’s words and I am comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.”  God does work through each one of us: helping, caring, healing, stengthening, comforting, protecting.  In that way, we act as Christ’s hands and feet in the world.

Below are two other items.  One is the prayer that Preseiding Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schori sent out yesterday.  The other is a reflection written by Dr. Rene Rovtar, our Long Hill Township School Superintentdent who ran the marathon yesterday.  It appeared in today’s Bernardsvill News. As it happens, Rene is related to the Thomas family who were very instrumental in the early days of All Saints’.  Her great-aunt Gwen was our parish historian and head of the altar guild for many years.  Her great-grandfather Nicholas built the Rath House. In offering her public reflection on her own private experience, Rene is serving the community by helping us to think about the meaning of yesterday’s events.

May the Peace of Christ be with you and those you love,

Blessings,

Vicki McGrath+

Gracious God, you walk with us through the valley of the shadow of death. We pray that the suffering and terrorized be surrounded by the incarnate presence of the crucified and risen one. May every human being be reminded of the precious gift of life you entered to share with us. May our hearts be prierced with compassion for those who suffer, and for those who have inflicted this violence,  for your love is the only healing balm we know. May the dead be received into your enfolding arms, and may your friends show the grieving they are not alone as they walk this vale of tears. All this we pray in the name of the one who walked this road to Calvary.  Amen. ~ The Most Rev. Katherine Jefferts Schori

Basking Ridge woman shares her experience at Boston Marathon

 By Rene Rovtar

The writer is a resident of Basking Ridge and superintendent of schools in the K-8 Long Hill Township School District.

I believe I have most likely run my last marathon, and I didn’t even finish it. 

On Monday, April 15th, I was participating in the 117th Boston Marathon as part of the Dana Farber Marathon Challenge Team.  This being my 10th Boston Marathon, I had previously decided that 10 was a nice round number and a good time to retire from this prestigious race.

Race day started as the previous 9 had.  A wake up call from the hotel at 4:45 a.m. and a brisk walk in the pre-dawn chill to the Boston Common to board one of many yellow school buses for the ride west on the Mass Pike to Hopkinton where the race starts. 

As part of the Dana Farber Team, we have a nice place to shelter at St. John’s Catholic Church in their all purpose room. 

Shortly before 8 a.m., the church secretary came into the room and invited any interested runners to attend daily mass.  Since there were more than two hours until my wave was scheduled to start the race, I decided to participate in the Mass.  It was brief and because it was Patriot’s Day in Massachusetts, the homily focused on Tocqueville’s writing about what made America a great country. 

The Mass ended with the priest asking runners to stand for a special blessing.  The priest prayed for us to have a safe race and that God would watch over us.  I have to believe that this gave me a little extra protection in keeping me off of Boylston Street when the bomb explosions occurred near the finish line of the race.

I was running a solid race (for me), hoping to get to the finish line around 4 hours and 25 minutes.  As I was approaching the Massachusetts Avenue underpass, literally about 4 or 5 minutes from finishing, the runners in front of me came to an abrupt stop. 

I’d never experienced a similar situation in a marathon. 

My first thought was that there had been some type of serious medical emergency on the course and need to stop the flow of runners.  Word quickly spread that there had been two bomb explosions with injuries. 

The sirens instantly started blaring with police rushing to the scene and ambulances soon seen leaving the area. 

I typically do not carry my cell phone with me when I race, but for whatever reason, decided to carry it with me today.  Immediately upon hearing the news, I tried to call my husband, but the call would not go through.  After several attempts, the call finally went through. 

He was unaware of the situation, but I informed him what I knew and told him to try to get in touch with family and friends, since so many people knew that I was running and would be concerned.

I stood with my fellow runners, dazed and confused with this troubling news, for about five minutes.  It started to sink in that there would be no finish to this race for us.  Runners with cell phones freely shared them with others to allow people to communicate with family. 

Thankfully I got my message out early because cell phone communication quickly became difficult as a result of service limitations imposed in an effort to minimize the potential for additional explosive devices to be detonated. 

My priority became trying to get back to my hotel.  The cool afternoon breeze was making me shiver, so I know I needed to get myself inside as quickly as possible.  Due to the numerous road closures that the police put in place as they shut down the finish line vicinity and adjacent streets, this was no easy task.

 I moved down several streets in the direction of my hotel only to reach a uniformed police officer telling me that the street was closed.  I finally made my way back to my hotel, not knowing whether it was a safe place to be, but having little other choice due to the restricted flow of traffic in the area.

As I sit watching the local news coverage of the event, there are so many questions and very few answers. 

We will simply have to wait for whatever information the investigators can uncover.  In the wake of the Newtown tragedy, it is profoundly upsetting to again be considering the implications of another seemingly terroristic attack. 

Beyond the concern for the victims and their families, there is again a sense that our lives have been altered by this violent occurrence. 

What is typically a joyous day with many runners celebrating a lifelong dream to run the oldest continuous marathon in America, setting a personal record, contributing to the millions of dollars which are raised each year for a wide variety of charities now has a black cloth of mourning draped over it.  

Having come so close to being involved in this disaster, how could I ever contemplate participating in a major marathon like this again? 

It defies comprehension that someone could have taken perhaps one of the purest sporting events known to man – one that only requires you to slip into a pair of shorts and a singlet, a bib number and lace up your sneakers – and place such deep doubt as to whether runners could continue to feel safe while participating in an event like this.  

So while I am mourning for the victims of this tragedy, I am also mourning the probable permanent wounding of my cherished sport.

# # #

Dear Friends in Christ,

Holy Week and Easter were especially beautiful and renewing this year.  Thank you to everyone who helped to make it so: the Choirs, Altar Guild, LEMs and Lector, Ushers, parents and kids who helped with the outdoor ribbon banners, and our office volunteers and staff!  There are pictures of the week up on our Facebook page, as well as additional photos of the Parish House  construction.  Take a look! And remember, Easter is fifty days long – keep celebrating! Alleluia. Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
+ + + + + + +
WORSHIP
Evening Prayer, Wednesdays 7:15 pm (2nd and 4th weeks of the month: 4/10 & 4/24). Scripture, prayer and psalms.  Come for a mid-week calm and connection with God.

Special Needs Worship: All God's
Children - April 21, 12 noon. For children and families with a range of special needs – including anyone who has a hard time sitting still! Volunteers welcome! 

Wedding Bells - Jody Doktor, our Director of Music, will marry Shea Velloso on May 4, 2013 at 10:30 am at All Saints’ and everyone is invited to the service! 

SUNDAY SCHOOL/YOUTH
Sunday School
4/7:   Family Service (no Sunday School)
4/14: Sunday School; J2A after coffee hour
4/21: Sunday School
4/28: Sunday School; J2A after coffee hour

Communion Class – 1st and 2nd graders are invited to join this 3-week class to learn more about the Eucharist. Classes meet on Mondays from 4-5:15 pm with Mother Vicki in the Rath House, 4/15, 4/22, and 4/29. On May 5th the children who have completed the class will be recognized at the 10 am service.  To enroll your child, please e-mail the Parish Office.  If you want your child to participate but have a scheduling conflict, please speak to Mother Vicki.  This is an important aspect of your child’s Christian education.

ADULT SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
Bible Study-Bible Buddies groups meet as follows: Wednesday morning 10:15 am in the Church Narthex. Wednesday evening
7:45 pm in the Rath House-2nd and 4th weeks (4/10, 4/24) We’ll review the Bible Challenge readings from the previous week.  Bring your questions, your wonderings, & your sense of humor.  Bring your Bible, too, or use one of ours.

The Bible Challenge – if you haven’t already signed up for the Bible Challenge, but would like to start a practice of daily Bible reading, this is a good time to join in.  We’ve just started reading the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament portion of the Challenge.  If you’d like more information, please speak to Mother Vicki.

Women’s Book Group – Wednesday, April 17 at 7:30 pm in the Rath House.  The book for the month is Mercy by Jody Picoult. The group is for  all women, parishioners and friends alike. Hope you can join us.

FUN AND FUND-RAISING
Jody and Shea’s Shower - Sunday at 1 pm in the Parish Hall.  It’s a pot-luck luncheon; bring a dish to share.  Everyone is welcome!  

Recycle - Keep bringing in those used printer & toner cartridges! We receive eight this week! Thank you! We receive $2 credit at Staples for each cartridge. In 2012, we raised $476 toward office supplies! Remember to drop them off in the box in the Narthex.  ~Susie Harris

BUNCO is coming!  Friday, May 31.  Watch for more details, get a group together or sign up on your own, and come for a fun
evening!

STEWARDSHIP
Stewardship is a disciple’s response, a call to conversion.  A life of stewardship calls us to share a part of ourselves – our time, our gifts, our resources.  Thanks be to God! ~ St. Paul’s  Episcopal Church, Port Townsend, WA

Worship Attendance – Holy Week and Easter
                                                2013              2012
 Maundy Thursday                   43                    51
Good Friday Stations               29                    16
Good Friday Liturgy                 30                    15
Holy Saturday Kids                  33                    17
Easter Vigil                              39                    27
Easter Day 8 am                      35                    27
Easter Day 10 am                  167                  131
YTD Average Combined Sunday Attendance 2013: 97

Parish House Construction Update – All of the inspections were done and we passed!  The sheet-rocking in the Parish Hall and in the addition is underway.  The wallboard is up and the taping and spackling has begun. The attached [pictures in clued the alcove for the new kitchenette, the closet for the table storage, and the addition.
+ + + + + + +
Easter Week – in the Eastern Orthodox Churches called “Bright Week” and is considered one long day of God’s New Creation in the Resurrection.  The following Hymn 210 (written c. 460 AD) expresses it well.

The day of resurrection! Earth, tell it out abroad;
the Passover of gladness,
the Passover of God.
From death to life eternal,
from earth unto the sky,
our Christ hath brought us over,
with hymns of victory.

Our hearts be pure from evil, that we may see aright 
the Lord in rays eternal
of resurrection light;
and listening to his accents,
may hear so calm and plain
his own "All hail!" and, hearing, 
may raise the victor strain.

Now let the heavens be joyful! Let earth her song begin!
The round world keep high triumph,
and all that is therein!
Let all things seen and unseen
their notes in gladness blend,
for Christ the Lord hath risen,
our joy that hath no end.

Blessings,
Vicki McGrath+