Dear Friends in Christ,
Alleluia. Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!  Here are this week’s announcements:

• Team Saints Treasure Hunt (Fellowship)
• Reception for Bishop & Reflection Questions (Parish Visitation)
• Rogation Sunday (Worship)

FELLOWSHIP
THIS WEEK: COMMUNITY TREAURE HUNT
Seek and ye shall find; Ask and it shall be given:    
Team All Saints’ Treasure Hunt; Saturday, May 5th. Team up with family, friends, fellow parishioners, or neighbors and head out to find, collect and discover our community! All ages welcome. How does this work?
1. Form a team of 2 to 5 people to work together.
2. Sign up your team on the poster in the Narthex; also write down what munchies you’ll   bring to the party.
3. Pick up Treasure Hunt clues at church April 29 (if you can’t be in church to get your clues, we’ll leave an envelope with your name on it in the Narthex).
4. During the week collect all the items, information, and artifacts on your list. Each clue will help you get to know our local community better.
5. On Saturday May 5th at 4 pm gather in the Parish Hall to share what was discovered and collected. We’ll celebrate the winners, enjoy some delicious munchies, and award some prizes!
Even if you don’t do the Treasure Hunt, come to the party and enjoy all the discoveries that will be shared, and have some fun! Questions? Speak to Laurie Gaulke or Suzanne Kosempel.

WORSHIP
Sunday, May 6 is Rogation Sunday, the day we bless the parish gardens and grounds at the end of our 10 am Family Service (see more about Rogation below in Christian Practices).  At the end of the 10 am service we’ll process out to the Memorial Garden for our Rogation liturgy, and we’ll also distribute seeds for planting in your home garden or in our parish Community Garden.
We will also recognize the children who have completed their Eucharist Instruction class, as well as our usual prayers for birthdays and anniversaries at both services. It will be a great day. Please join us!

HELPING HANDS
Veterans Community Dinner, possibly May 19 at 5:30 pm - Vets and their families from our local community and from the V.A. in Lyons will be invited for fellowship, conversation, and friendship...and a wonderful home-cooked meal in    All Saints' Parish House at no charge. How can you help? Set up, clean up, serving, cooking (side dishes, salads, desserts). And please get the word out and invite any Vets you know! A sign-up sheet for volunteering will go out soon. This ministry is a partnership with our friends in the Christian (Catholic) Community. For more information speak to Kerrie Stepko.

FUN & FUNDRAISING
Thanks to Jackie Sullivan and her crew for a wonderful and welcoming Fish & Chips dinner on Thursday night. We served 160 people, and saw newcomers, returning guests, and parishioners. Great job, everyone!

CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Save the Dates – Sun., June 24 – Thur., June 28 for Vacation Bible Camp: “Wizards and Wonders –A Hero’s Journey with Harry Potter.” This will be an inter-generational experience for kids, adults, and families...and at a new time: 6:00-8:30 pm (Sun-Thu), starting with a simple dinner. This is something to invite friends and neighbors to. Flyers are on the table in the Narthex.

Bible Study/Adult Christian Ed meets weekly at 10:15 am in the Rath House. All are welcome – those new to Bible reading and those with long-time experience. We are currently reading and discussing Inwardly Digest: The Prayer Book as Guide to a Spiritual Life, by Derek Olsen. Hope to see you there!

PARISH VISITATION
Bishop Mark Beckwith will visit us on Sunday, May 13 (yes, we know it is Mother’s Day). He will be the celebrant and preacher at the 10 am service, and at the Peace he will also have a children’s homily. During Coffee Hour he will lead an Adult Forum (child care will be provided), after which Bishop Beckwith will meet with the Vestry and deputies to Diocesan Convention.
The Coffee Hour will be a festive reception/lunch. Please sign up to bring finger foods – sandwiches, appetizers, fruit, cheese & crackers, cookies, veggies and dip,  etc.
Bishop Beckwith has asked us to be thinking ahead of time about the following questions:

• What do you do as a congregation that Jesus would recognize and love?
• What is your congregation’s purpose?
• What are your challenges?  What gets in the way of living out your mission?
• What would you like to ask me or want me to know so that the Diocese can be of assistance in    supporting your mission and ministry?

This will be Bishop Beckwith’s last visit with us before his retirement in September. Please plan to be here and offer him our great All Saints’ hospitality!

DIOCESAN NEWS
The Bishop election will take place on Saturday, May 19, at St. Peter’s, Morristown starting at 9 am. The deputies from All Saints’ are the people who will vote in the election: Tom Day, Jean Kimak, and Ellen Lewis; as well as Mother Vicki. The deputies vote according to their conscience and (we hope and pray!) the prompting of the Holy Spirit. However, it will be very helpful for them to hear from each of you. Please read the statements of each of the three candidates: the Rev. Carlye Hughes; the Rev. Lisa Hunt; the Rev. Canon Scott Slater. Please also consider attending one of the “walk-abouts” on May 4, 5, and 6 - public meetings to hear from all the candidates and ask questions. Look at the diocesan website for details: www.dioceseofnewark.org.  And then talk with one or more of the deputies from All Saints’. Here are their email addresses: Tom Day tmdjr@aol.com; Jean Kimak jckimak@gmail.com; Ellen Lewis ellenblewis20@gmail.com. Your input and prayers are important!

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
The Long Hill Township Robotics Team will hold a fundraising concert here at All Saints’ on Sunday, May 6 at 4:30 pm. Students from the team will perform on a variety of instruments. The money raised will help send them to the World Robotics Competition, representing New Jersey! Please come and support these talented students from our community!

Troop 56 Flower Sale – our Boy Scout troop is holding its annual Flower Sale on May 4-6 in the Valley Mall in Gillette. They have a wide assortment of flowers, vegetables, and hanging baskets. Come out and support the Scouts!

PARISH CALENDAR
4/29 Treasure Hunt Clues     Narthex, 11:00 am  
4/30 Communion Class        Undercroft, 4:00 pm  
       Pilgrim Group               Rath House, 7:00 pm
5/2   Bible Study                  Rath House, 10:15 am
5/3   Holy Eucharist             Church, 7:00 am
        Junior Choir                 Choir Room, 5:15 pm
        Adult Choir                  Choir Room, 7:30 pm
5/5 Treasure Hunt Party       Parish Hall, 4:00 pm
For a full schedule of our buildings check the website calendar www.allsaintsmillington.org.

CHRISTIAN PRACTICES
Rogation Sunday
Long before there was Earth Day, or Arbor Day, or the modern understanding of environmental stewardship, the Church celebrated Rogation Days: the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before Ascension Day. They began in France in the 470s after a series of natural disasters, just at the time of the flowering of trees and sprouting of crops. Prayers and litanies in procession around fields and farms of the parishes were offered for God’s mercy and protection.

Eventually this practice developed into an annual event asking for God’s blessings on fields, gardens, and orchards; on laborers and their tools; and on the boundaries between one farm and another. Sometimes while walking these boundaries (what was called “beating the bounds”) property disputes arose, and the Church sought to help settle these disputes – and the relationships between neighbors – in an equitable way. That added to Rogation processions the added emphasis on justice and reconciliation.

While we no longer walk the boundaries of the whole parish (Long Hill Township and Warren, for a start), we do ask God’s blessings on our parish gardens and grounds, as well as remembering our dependence on the earth’s bounty and our responsibility as stewards of its well-being. We celebrate Rogation on Easter VI – this year May 6th. For more on Rogation history and customs look here: http://fullhomelydivinity.org/ (click Rogation & Ascension in left column).

Blessing of the Parish in Rogationtide
(given at some central place or from the church door)
O God our Father, whose Son was content to share the life of his village at Nazareth: Bless the life of this parish with your continual presence. Grant that in every home your Name may be hallowed and your will be done, that our people may learn to love every neighbor and live godly lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
+ + + + + +
Thy Kingdom Come
Two weeks ago a link was sent with information about this year’s invitation from the Archbishop of Canterbury to participate in Thy Kingdom Come – a world-wide effort of prayer for friends, family members, the world as a whole, to come to know the blessing of the love of God in Jesus. Thy Kingdom Come starts on Ascension Day and runs until Pentecost – this year from May 10-20.

How are you doing with that? Have you chosen someone, or several people, to pray for? Here is a short video by Archbishop Justin Welby on the power of quiet, persistent prayer: https://vimeo.com/255739089. And here is the link to Thy Kingdom Come website: https://www.thykingdomcome.global/

Your prayers do matter, and they do count. Thank you for praying!

Easter blessings, Vicki+

Dear Friends in Christ,
Alleluia. Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!  Here are this week’s announcements:

• Team Saints Treasure Hunt (Fellowship)
• Argyle Fish & Chips (Fun & Fundraising)
• Rummage Sale Meeting (Fun & Fundraising)
• Reception for Bishop  & Reflection Questions (Parish Visitation)

FUN & FUNDRAISING
THIS THURSDAY! Spring Fish & Chips by Argyle of Kearny, April 26 – 5:30-7:30 pm. This is our spring fund-raiser, and we’ll need a variety of help: setting up tables, decorating, selling tickets, making up plates, serving, working the door, making desserts & drinks, clean-up. There is a sign-up poster in the Narthex. Tickets $18 for adults/$9 for kids. Ticket Sellers this Sunday after Church – 8 am: Sue Traub; 10 am: Laurie Gaulke. Or call the Parish Office 908-647-0067. Jackie Sullivan is the person to see with questions or to volunteer.

Rummage Sale Meeting: Sunday April 22, during Coffee Hour. Our first organizational meeting for pricers/sorters and anyone interested in rummage! The Sale is September 29; Collection begins on August 5 (aka ‘The First Sunday of Rummage’). Questions? Speak to Kimberly Celeste.

FELLOWSHIP
Seek and ye shall find; Ask and it shall be given: Team All Saints’ Treasure Hunt; Saturday, May 5th. Team up with family, friends, fellow parishioners, or neighbors and head out to find, collect and discover our community! All ages welcome. How does this work?
1. Form a team of 2 to 5 people to work together.
2. Sign up your team on the poster in the Narthex; also write down what munchies you’ll bring to the party.
3. Pick up Treasure Hunt clues at church on Sunday, April 29 (if you can’t be in church to get your clues, we’ll leave an envelope with your name on it in the Narthex).
4. During the week collect all the items, information, and artifacts on your list. Each clue will help you get to know our local community better.
5. On Saturday May 5th at 4 pm gather in the Parish Hall to share what was discovered and collected. We’ll celebrate the winners, enjoy some delicious munchies, and award some prizes! Questions? Speak to Laurie Gaulke or Suzanne Kosempel.

HELPING HANDS
Soup for All Seasons - Home-made Potato/Leek soup and Chicken Noodle soup is available in the Parish Hall freezer for purchase ($3/pint, $5/quart). If you have a family member or neighbor who is ill or shut-in, feel free to take them soup as an outreach. And if you would like to gather with others to help make soup, please see Barbara Barbeau.

Veterans Community Dinner, possibly May 19 at 5:30 pm - Vets and their families from our local community and from the V.A. in Lyons will be invited for fellowship, conversation, and friendship...and a wonderful home-cooked meal in    All Saints' Parish House at no charge. How can you help? Set up, clean up, serving, cooking (side dishes, salads, desserts). And please get the word out and invite any Vets you know! A sign-up sheet for volunteering will go out soon. This ministry is a partnership with our friends in the Christian (Catholic) Community. For more information speak to Kerrie Stepko.

CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Bible Study/Adult Christian Ed meets weekly at 10:15 am in the Rath House. All are welcome – those new to Bible reading and those with long-time experience. We are currently reading and discussing Inwardly Digest: The Prayer Book as Guide to a Spiritual Life, by Derek Olsen. Hope to see you there!

Save the Dates – Sun., June 24 – Thur., June 28 for Vacation Bible Camp: “Wizards and Wonders –A Hero’s Journey with Harry Potter.” This will be an inter-generational experience for kids, adults, and families...and at a new time: 6:00-8:30 pm (Sun-Thu), starting with a simple dinner. This is something to invite friends and neighbors to. Look for more info soon!

PARISH VISITATION
Bishop Mark Beckwith will visit us on Sunday, May 13 (yes, we know it is Mother’s Day). He will be the celebrant and preacher at the 10 am service, and at the Peace he will also have a children’s homily. During Coffee Hour he will lead an Adult Forum (child care will be provided), after which Bishop Beckwith will meet with the Vestry and deputies to Diocesan Convention.
The Coffee Hour will be a festive reception/lunch. Please sign up to bring finger foods – sandwiches, appetizers, fruit, cheese & crackers, cookies, etc.
Bishop Beckwith has asked us to be thinking ahead of time about the following questions:

• What do you do as a congregation that Jesus would recognize and love?
• What is your congregation’s purpose?
• What are your challenges?  What gets in the way of living out your mission?
• What would you like to ask me or want me to know so that the Diocese can be of assistance in supporting your mission and ministry?

This will be Bishop Beckwith’s last visit with us before his retirement in September. Please plan to be here and offer him our great All Saints’ hospitality!

DIOCESAN NEWS
The election for our new Bishop will take place on Saturday, May 19, at St. Peter’s, Morristown starting at 9 am. The deputies from All Saints’ are the people who will vote in the election: Tom Day, Jean Kimak, and Ellen Lewis; as well as Mother Vicki. The deputies vote according to their conscience and (we hope and pray!) the prompting of the Holy Spirit. However, it will be very helpful for them to hear from each of you. Please read the statements of each of the three candidates: the Rev. Carlye Hughes; the Rev. Lisa Hunt; the Rev. Canon Scott Slater. Please also consider attending one of the “walk-abouts” on May 4, 5, and 6 - public meetings to hear from all the candidates and ask questions. Look at the diocesan website for details: www.dioceseofnewark.org.  And then talk with one or more of the deputies from All Saints’. Here are their email addresses: Tom Day tmdjr@aol.com; Jean Kimak jckimak@gmail.com; Ellen Lewis ellenblewis20@gmail.com. Your input and prayers are important!

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
The Long Hill Township Robotics Team will hold a fundraising concert here at All Saints’ on Sunday, May 6 at 4:30 pm. Students from the team will perform on a variety of instruments. The money raised will help send them to the World Robotics Competition, representing New Jersey! Please come and support these talented students from our community!

PARISH CALENDAR
4/23 Communion Class         Undercroft, 4:00 pm  
        Pilgrim Group               Rath House, 7:00 pm
4/24 District 3 Clergy            Lower Room Parish House, 10:00 am
4/25 Bible Study                     Rath House, 10:15 am
4/26 Holy Eucharist               Church, 7:00 am
       Junior Choir                    Choir Room, 5:15 pm
       Fish & Chips                   Parish House, 5: 30-7:30 pm
       Adult Choir                     Choir Room, 7:30 pm
For a full schedule of our buildings check the website calendar www.allsaintsmillington.org.

CHRISTIAN PRACTICES
Praying the Collects
The Collects or the compact, single sentence prayers that “collect” the prayers and attention of the congregation, and touch on one or more of the themes in the readings for a given Sunday; there’s one for every Sunday of the year; and for saints’ days and other holy days, also.

There are other Collects that have a particular focus, for example: the Collect for Purity (in the Eucharist, which asks God to make us ready for worship); the Collects for Peace, or Guidance (in Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer).
A standard collect has five components (the examples are from the Collect for Purity):

• An Address (Almighty God)
• A Relative Clause, descriptive of the Person of the Trinity to whom the prayer is addressed (to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid)
• A Petition – what we are asking for (Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit)
• The Effect (that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name)
• The Doxology, which means “praise” (through Christ our Lord). Everyone joins in the Amen, which means “Yes; I agree; So be it.”

In Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer during the week – which one can pray at home – there are always three Collects after the Lord’s Prayer. The first is always the Collect from the previous Sunday, which gets used throughout the week. The second can be drawn from the Collects for Peace, Grace, Guidance, Renewal of Life, etc. The third is always a Collect for Mission.

The Collect of the Day, i.e. for the main Sunday service, is a wonderful vehicle for daily prayer and meditation. These Collects are found in the Prayer Book beginning on pages 159 or 211. If you pray these Collects throughout the year in a focused, intentional way, they can help to shape our character and behavior as Christians.

This week’s offering is the Collect for the Fourth Sunday in Easter:
O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people;
Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who
calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with
you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever
and ever. Amen. ~ BCP, page 225

Easter blessings, Vicki+

Dear Friends in Christ,
Alleluia. Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!  It seems that spring is finally here, adding the joy of unfolding creation to our continuing Easter celebrations.

Take a look at the announcements below, especially:

• Baptism & Guest Musician (Worship)

• Co-op Coffee Hour (Fellowship)
• Team Saints Scavenger Hunt (Fellowship)
• Argyle Fish & Chips (Fun & Fundraising)
• Communion Class (Christian Formation)

FUN & FUNDRAISING
Spring Fish & Chips by Argyle of Kearny, April 26 – 5:30-7:30 pm. This is our spring fund-raiser, and we’ll need a variety of help: setting up tables, decorating, selling tickets, making up plates, serving, working the door, helping with publicity, making desserts & drinks, clean-up. There is a sign-up poster in the Narthex. Tickets $18 for adults/$9 for kids after church. Or call the Parish Office 908-647-0067. Jackie Sullivan is the person to see with questions or to volunteer.

Rummage Sale – Yes, it is on the horizon! September 29; Collection begins on August 5 (aka ‘The First Sunday of Rummage’). We’ll have a first organizational meeting for pricers/sorters on Sunday 4/22 during Coffee Hour. Look for more information from Kimberly Celeste, but put these dates on your calendar now!

FELLOWSHIP
Team All Saints’ Scavenger Hunt: Seek and ye shall find; Ask and it shall be given; Saturday, May 5th. Team up with family, friends, fellow parishioners, or neighbors and head out to find, collect and discover our community! A fun way to Go Local. Teams can be created with all ages involved. How does this work? On Sunday, April 29, scavenger hunt clues will be given to each team, and you will have a week to collect all the items, information, and artifacts. Each clue will help you get to know our local community better. Then on Saturday May 5th we’ll gather in the Parish Hall in the late afternoon to share what was discovered and collected during the week. We’ll celebrate the winners, enjoy some delicious munchies, and award some prizes! Details and clues are coming soon. Questions? Speak to Laurie Gaulke or Suzanne Kosempel.

HELPING HANDS
Soup for All Seasons - Home-made Potato/Leek soup is available in the Parish Hall freezer for purchase ($3/pint, $5/quart). If you have a family member or neighbor who is ill or shut-in, feel free to take them soup as an outreach. And if you would like to gather with others to help make soup, please see Barbara Barbeau.

Veterans Community Dinner, possibly May 19  at 5:30 pm - Vets and their families from our local community and from the V.A. in Lyons will be invited for fellowship, conversation, and friendship...and a wonderful home-cooked meal in    All Saints' Parish House at no charge. How can you help? Set up, clean up, serving, cooking (side dishes, salads, desserts). And please get the word out and invite any Vets you know! A sign-up sheet for volunteering will go out soon. This ministry is a partnership with our friends in the Christian (Catholic) Community. For more information speak to Kerrie Stepko.

CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Bible Study/Adult Christian Ed meets weekly at 10:15 am in the Rath House. All are welcome – those new to Bible reading and those with long-time experience. We are currently reading and discussing Inwardly Digest: The Prayer Book as Guide to a Spiritual Life, by Derek Olsen. Hope to see you there!

Communion Class – 2nd graders (and older children who may have missed it previously) are invited to join a 3-week class to learn more about the Eucharist, even if they have already been receiving Communion. We’ll meet Mondays 4/16, 4/23, & 4/30, 4-5:15 pm with Mother Vicki in the Rath House. On 5/6 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.

PARISH VISITATION
Bishop Beckwith will be with us on Sunday, May 13, for his official parish visitation. He will preach and celebrate at the 10 am service, have a time specifically with the children, lead an Adult Forum discussion during Coffee Hour, and meet with the Vestry and deputies to Diocesan Convention. This is always an inspiring and important time in the life of All Saints’. Please plan on being with us May 13 (and yes, we know it is Mother’s Day…).

DIOCESAN NEWS
Election of Our Next Bishop of Newark - The election will take place on Saturday, May 19. How does this work? The bishop is elected by the Diocesan Convention – the three lay deputies from every congregation, as well as all the clergy. In order for a candidate to be elected, he or she must have a majority in each “order”, i.e. a majority of lay votes and a majority of clergy votes on the same ballot. It usually takes at least several ballots to reach an election. When Bishop Beckwith was elected, there were three ballots; Bishop Croneberger before him took six ballots.

The deputies from All Saints’ are the same people who attended Diocesan Convention in January: Tom Day, Jean Kimak, and Ellen Lewis; as well as Mother Vicki. The deputies vote according to their conscience and (we hope and pray!) the prompting of the Holy Spirit. However, it will be very helpful for them to hear from each of you. Please read the statements of each of the three candidates: the Rev. Carlye Hughes; the Rev. Lisa Hunt; the Rev. Canon Scott Slater. Follow this link for short bios of each person, and their answers to questions put to them. Please also consider attending one of the “walk-abouts” on May 4, 5, and 6 - public meetings to hear from all the candidates and ask questions. Look here for details. And then talk with one or more of the deputies from All Saints’. Your input and prayers are important!

UPON REFLECTION
Easter is the season of new life: Where do you see God’s new life in your experience? Ask someone else this question after worship or at home; listen to their answer; share your answer with them; and be encouraged in your faith.

PARISH CALENDAR
4/16 Communion Class         Undercroft, 4:00 pm  
       Pilgrim Group                Rath House, 7:00 pm
4/17 Vestry                          Rath House, 7:30 pm
4/18 Bible Study                   Rath House, 10:15 am
4/19 Holy Eucharist               Church, 7:00 am
       Junior Choir                   Choir Room, 5:15 pm
       Adult Choir                     Choir Room, 7:30 pm
For a full schedule of our buildings check the website calendar www.allsaintsmillington.org.

CHRISTIAN PRACTICES
Thy Kingdom Come – Once again this year, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has called the whole Anglican Communion, and other Christians, into ten days of prayer for God’s kingdom to come more fully and more joyfully on earth and in human life. The ten days of prayer start with Ascension Day and end with Pentecost: May 10-20. You can go to the website for this effort and sign up as a participant in Pledge2Pray: https://www.thykingdomcome.global/

In addition to praying for God’s Kingdom in a general way, you might pray for five friends or family members who need to know the love and presence of Christ in a powerful way. Here is a link with some resources and ideas about that: https://www.thykingdomcome.global/resources/9

Here’s a general prayer to get started with:
Loving Father,
in the face of Jesus Christ
your light and glory have blazed forth.
Send your Holy Spirit that I may share with my friends [here, name your friends]
the life of your Son and your love for all.
Strengthen me as a witness to that love
as I pledge to pray for them,
for your name’s sake. Amen.

And here is an approach to praying for others that is helpful.:
Using the BLESS acrostic can help us to focus on all of the felt needs of those we are praying for:
— Body – health, protection, energy
— Labour – employment/unemployment, retirement, adequate income
— Emotional – inner peace, joy, wisdom, insight, patience
— Social – healthy relationships between spouses, parents, children, friends, reconciliation; love
— Spiritual – repentance, salvation, obedience, faith

Why would we want to do this? To share the hope, peace, and joy that we have though our faith in Jesus with someone else we care about. Our prayers have power, and really do make a difference.

Here is a short video from the Thy Kingdom Come website with our own Presiding Bishop Curry telling a story about someone who had prayed for him in his childhood: https://vimeo.com/264099397

Easter blessings, Vicki+

Dear Friends in Christ,
Alleluia. Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!  That is the Easter greeting and acclamation we use throughout the Easter season, which is fifty days long, continuing all the way to Pentecost – this year on May 20. The resurrection is the central fact and truth of Christian faith, and so this season of resurrection is celebrated with joy and blessing, not just the single day of Easter.
Having said that, a few thank yous are in order. Holy Week and Easter Day could not be celebrated with such meaning, depth, and joy without the efforts of our Choirs and musicians, Altar Guild, LEMs and Lectors, Acolytes, Ushers, Office Staff and volunteers, and this year to those who helped host the dinner and concert for the visiting Youth Choir…and all of you who come to pray, sing, listen, and worship our Lord in the company of the faithful; thank you all! I  hope and pray that you found the week to be renewing and encouraging.

Take a look at the announcements below, especially:

• Baptism & Guest Musician (Worship)

• Co-op Coffee Hour (Fellowship)
• Team Saints Scavenger Hunt (Fellowship)
• Argyle Fish & Chips (Fun & Fundraising)
• Communion Class (Christian Formation)

FUN & FUNDRAISING
Spring Fish & Chips by Argyle of Kearny, April 26 – 5:30-7:30 pm. This is our spring fund-raiser, and we’ll need a variety of help: setting up tables, decorating, selling tickets, making up plates, serving, working the door, helping with publicity, making desserts & drinks, clean-up. There is a sign-up poster in the Narthex. Tickets $18 for adults/$9 for kids. Ticket Sellers this Sunday after Church – 8 am: Sue Traub; 10 am: Laurie Gaulke. Or call the Parish Office 908-647-0067. Jackie Sullivan is the person to see with questions or to volunteer.

Rummage Sale – yes, it is on the horizon! September 29; Collection begins on August 5 (aka ‘The First Sunday of Rummage’). Look for more information from Kimberly Celeste, but put these dates on your calendar now!

FELLOWSHIP
“Co-op” Coffee Hour this week – bring your remaining Easter baked goods and treats to share with others (and get them out of your house!). We’ll have coffee and tea ready for you.

Seek and ye shall find; Ask and it shall be given: Team All Saints’ Scavenger Hunt; Saturday, May 5th. Team up with family, friends, fellow parishioners, or neighbors and head out to find, collect and discover our community! A fun way to Go Local. Teams can be created with all ages involved. How does this work? On Sunday, April 29, scavenger hunt clues will be given to each team, and you will have a week to collect all the items, information, and artifacts. Each clue will help you get to know our local community better. Then on Saturday May 5th we’ll gather in the Parish Hall in the late afternoon to share what was discovered and collected during the week. We’ll celebrate the winners, enjoy some delicious munchies, and award some prizes! Details and clues are coming soon. Questions? Speak to Laurie Gaulke or Suzanne Kosempel.

CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Sunday School Classes meet this week, April 8.

Bible Study/Adult Christian Ed meets weekly at 10:15 am in the Rath House. All are welcome – those new to Bible reading and those with long-time experience. We are currently reading and discussing Inwardly Digest: The Prayer Book as Guide to a Spiritual Life, by Derek Olsen. We have some copies available on the table in the narthex. It is also available from Amazon or Forward Movement. Hope to see you there!

Communion Class – 2nd graders (and older children who may have missed it previously) are invited to join a 3-week class to learn more about the Eucharist, even if they have already been receiving Communion. We’ll meet Mondays 4/16, 4/23, & 4/30, 4-5:15 pm with Mother Vicki in the Rath House. On 5/6 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.

WORSHIP
Baptism this Sunday at 10 am – we’ll be celebrating the baptism of Isabelle Theresa Beyer, daughter of Nick and Amy Beyer. We’ll also be welcoming a guest musician for the day while our choirs have a well-deserved break: Jody Mullen. Jody is the soprano section leader at Grace Episcopal Church in Brooklyn. She and her family live in Gillette. Thank you, Jody!

DIOCESAN NEWS
Election of Our Next Bishop of Newark - The election will take place on Saturday, May 19. How does this work? The bishop is elected by the Diocesan Convention – the three lay deputies from every congregation, as well as all the clergy. In order for a candidate to be elected, he or she must have a majority in each “order”, i.e. a majority of lay votes and a majority of clergy votes on the same ballot. It usually takes at least several ballots to reach an election. When Bishop Beckwith was elected, there were three ballots; Bishop Croneberger before him took six ballots.

The deputies from All Saints’ are the same people who attended Diocesan Convention in January: Tom Day, Jean Kimak, and Ellen Lewis; as well as Mother Vicki. The deputies vote according to their conscience and (we hope and pray!) the prompting of the Holy Spirit. However, it will be very helpful for them to hear from each of you. Please read the statements of each of the three candidates: the Rev. Carlye Hughes; the Rev. Lisa Hunt; the Rev. Canon Scott Slater. Follow this link for short bios of each person, and their answers to questions put to them. Please also consider attending one of the “walk-abouts” on May 4, 5, and 6 - public meetings to hear from all the candidates and ask questions. Look here for details. And then talk with one or more of the deputies from All Saints’. Your input and prayers are important!

SAVE THE DATE
Sunday, May 13 for Bishop Beckwith’s last visitation with us before his retirement.

PARISH CALENDAR
4/9   Pilgrim Group                   Rath House, 7:00 pm
4/10 Finance Committee         Rath House, 7:30 pm
4/11 Bible Study                        Rath House, 10:15 am
4/12 Holy Eucharist                  Church, 7:00 am
          Junior Choir                      Choir Room, 5:15 pm
          Adult Choir                       Choir Room, 7:30 pm
For a full schedule of our buildings check the website calendar www.allsaintsmillington.org.

CHRISTIAN PRACTICES
Easter Gardens
Did you see All Saints’ Easter Garden on the table in the Bell Tower it was made by parish Administrator Susie Harris. On Good Friday it was placed on the table, with the stone covering the tomb. After the Easter Vigil, the stone was moved to reveal the empty tomb.

Easter Gardens can be made and displayed in homes and churches. Here is an article about them:
“Just as St. Francis' live Christmas tableau developed into the Christmas crèche, a model stable with small figurines, rather than live actors, the medieval Easter play and Easter sepulchre have also developed into a more stylized form, the Easter garden. Easter gardens may be found in churches, gardens, and homes, and may be small and quite simple or large and very elaborate. They may be a focal point in either church or home.  Sometimes they have figures to represent the people in the story, but more often they are simply gardens. An Easter garden has three essential features:  a mound with at least one cross to represent Calvary; a stone or stone structure to suggest the empty tomb; and lots of live greenery and flowers.

The simplest Easter gardens are made in a shallow pot or dish. This is an ideal project for children to make and to keep in a prominent place at home throughout the fifty days of Easter…. Just 4 Kids Magazine has detailed instructions for a children's Easter garden.

An Easter garden may be very simple or quite elaborate. Some gardens include figures of the risen Lord, the soldiers who guarded the tomb, the women who came to visit the tomb, etc. … [in an Easter garden we are] not creating an exact replica of some moment in history.  Rather, we are creating focal points that aid us in remembrance.  Just as the Eucharist is not a recreation of the Last Supper, but a remembrance (Greek: anamnesis) which allows us to participate in the mystery of the Bread which came down from heaven, so an Easter garden should be a symbol that points to the meaning of events, rather than a precise model of the place where they happened.  Thus, a single stone or a mound of modeling clay can suggest the tomb, and flowers never seen in Palestine can represent the garden.

If an Easter garden is set up in a church, it is appropriate to visit it and bless it in the same way that the Christmas crèche is visited and blessed.  If there is a procession at the beginning of the principal Eucharist on Easter Day, the procession should stop at the garden.  Prayers may be said and the garden may be blessed with holy water and incense. 

Station at an Easter Garden
V.  This is the day the Lord hath made.
R.  Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
V.  Let us pray.
Almighty and everliving God, whose Son Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene in a garden and called her to be the first witness of his Resurrection:  we beseech thee to bless this humble garden wherein we have a remembrance of the mighty acts by which we have been saved; grant that all those who see it may ponder and adore the glory of the Cross and the mystery of his Resurrection and may sing with joy the victory hymn; through Jesus Christ our risen Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 
All:  Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and giving life to those in the tomb.”
 ~ From the website www.fullhomelydivnity.org

Easter blessings, Vicki+