Dear Friends in Christ,
Alleluia. Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
This weekend is Memorial Day Weekend. The Parish Office will be closed Monday for the holiday. If you are traveling, have a safe and enjoyable trip. If you are staying home, have a relaxing and renewing time. Here at Church on Sunday, in addition to Rogation Sunday Prayers, we will also pray for those who have died in the service of our country. Where ever you are, please take time to give thanks for those who were willing to give so much to others.
Please take a look at the week’s announcements.
WORSHIP
Ascension Day, this Thursday, May 30, 7:30 pm; a service of Evensong to celebrate the Risen Christ’s return to God the Father. Come for a time of peaceful reflection on this important feast day. The Ascension will also be celebrated at the regular Thursday morning Eucharist at 7:00 am.
Next Sunday, June 2: Family Service at 10 am – Celebrate our Confirmands - Jess Gillespie and Kara Phillips, and Abigail Saitta; we will celebrate and give thanks for these young people and this important step they have made in their faith and life. Please be on hand to do so. We’ll also have Birthday & Anniversary Prayers; Children’s Homily; Sunday School Recognition.
Pentecost, June 9 – the giving of the Holy Spirit. We’ll hear the Gospel in a number of different languages, and renew our Baptismal Covenant.
Choir Sunday/Trinity Sunday, June 16 – we’ll have the first performance of the anthem “Ubi Caritas” that All Saints’ commissioned in honor of Bill Smullen’s fifty years in our choir. And as a special treat, the composer R. Douglas Helvering will be here and will conduct his piece. You won’t want to miss this wonderful celebration.
CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Vacation Bible School - for Kids, Adults, & Families - Aslan is on the Move: based on ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ Sunday, June 23–Thursday, June 27, 6:00-8:30 pm
This is an inter-generational Christian experience for kids, adults, and families...in evening time slot, starting with a simple dinner. Invite your friends and neighbors! The program is open to anyone age 6 and older. The cost is $75 per family for the week. For more information please contact Alison Siener Brown (Director of Music at All Saints’): asienerbrown@gmail.com or call the parish office at 908-647-0067.
Themes that are part of this program:
Bible Study this week, Wed. at 10:15 am in the Rath House. We’ll discuss Chapter 6 of Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense by N.T. Wright. Copies of the book are available on the table on the Narthex. Questions? Speak to Mother Vicki.
Crossroads, our camp & retreat center (Episcopal/Lutheran) in Port Murray, NJ, has programs for kids’ summer camp, family camp, and some year round retreats and programs. New brochures are in the Narthex. Take a look!
Next Sunday’s Gospel Box
May 26, Easter 6 – John 14:23-29
Jesus told the disciples that when he returns to the Father he will send us another Advocate – one who speaks on our behalf, referring to the Holy Spirit. How do imagine or experience the Holy Spirit?
June 2, Easter 6 – John 17:20-26
Jesus prays for all those who will come to faith in him through the work and words of the disciples and their followers. Who introduced you to faith in Christ? Who helped your faith to grow?
The readings for each Sunday can be found by going to www.thelectionarypage.net and clicking on the date.
THY KINGDOM COME
From Ascension to Pentecost (5/30-6/9), the Archbishop of Canterbury has called us to join with Anglicans/Episcopalians and other Christians throughout the world to pray for God’s kingdom to come “on earth as it is in heaven.” One way to do this is to pray daily for five people in your life to know the love of God in Jesus Christ, as well as praying for a blessing for our communities, that they will reflect God’s wholeness, peace, and justice. Mother Vicki will host a Facebook Live Prayer Event at 5:45 pm each day. Information about how to join the Event, as well as print prayer resources, are available in the Narthex and here.
STEWARDSHIP
Chairs & Vases – We are looking for church folding chairs, both blue and brown. Maybe you borrowed some for an event at your house. We also are looking for the vases that altar flowers were delivered in – if you have received flowers from All Saints’. If you have either of these things at home, please return them to the side entrance of the Church – no questions asked. Thanks!
Care of Creation - God has made a good and beautiful Creation, and we are called to be faithful stewards of it. In this Easter season we celebrate the redemption of all that God has made, and it is important to consider how we are caring for Creation. If you are interested in exploring ways that we at All Saints’ can be better stewards of Creation close to home, please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex and we’ll find a time to gather and discuss ideas. You can also look here for Episcopal Church resources: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/creation-care
DIOCESAN NEWS
The new Canon to the Ordinary for our diocese has been announced: The Rev. Andrew Wright. Canon Wright comes from the Diocese of Fort Worth (TX), most recently serving as the Interim Rector of Trinity Church, Ft. Worth. He will begin on July 1 and have responsibility as Chief of Staff; staff liaison to Diocesan Council, Trustees, and Standing Committee; clergy licensing, wellness, formation and continuing education; training and oversight of church consultants; and Title IV clergy misconduct matters. He follows Canon Greg Jacobs who retires on June 23. We look forward to welcoming Canon Andrew to our diocese.
PARISH CALENDAR
5/27 Memorial Day Parish Office Closed
5/29 Bible Study Rath House, 10:15 am
5/30 Eucharist & Healing Church, 7:00 am
Junior Choir Choir Room, 5:15 pm
Ascension Evensong Church, 7:30 pm
For a full schedule of our buildings check the website calendar www.allsaintsmillington.org.
CHRISTIAN PRACTICES
Rogation and Ascension
Rogation Days are traditionally the first part of the week before the Feast of the Ascension. They are a time when the Church focuses its prayer on asking (the Latin word for to ask is rogare) God to bless gardens, farms, herds, crops, and the work needed to plant, tend, and harvest. It started in the late 5th century in France. Because processions around a whole village or parish became part of the Rogation practice, it grew to include themes of resolution of property disputes and reconciliation between neighbors. With the emphasis on blessing and giving thanks Rogation was a precursor to Earth Day and our more recent emphasis on Creation Care and environmental stewardship.
Ascension Day is always the fortieth day of Easter, always a Thursday. It is the day we remember the Risen Christ taking the disciples out to the Mount of Olives, giving them the Great Commission (“Go into the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20) and telling them to wait in Jerusalem until they had received the Holy Spirit whom he would send (Luke 24:44-53). After this, Christ returned to heaven. Ascension is one of the seven principal feasts of the Church year, and an article of faith in both the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds. It is not only the completion of Jesus’ story, but it also reminds us that our ministry in Christ’s name always happens through the power of the Holy Spirit – and that very often we need to wait on God’s timing, not our own.
Let us learn to be good stewards of all that God has given us to care for – especially the beautiful Earth; and let us learn the wisdom and blessing of holy waiting.
Blessings, Vicki+
Alleluia. Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
This weekend is Memorial Day Weekend. The Parish Office will be closed Monday for the holiday. If you are traveling, have a safe and enjoyable trip. If you are staying home, have a relaxing and renewing time. Here at Church on Sunday, in addition to Rogation Sunday Prayers, we will also pray for those who have died in the service of our country. Where ever you are, please take time to give thanks for those who were willing to give so much to others.
Please take a look at the week’s announcements.
WORSHIP
Ascension Day, this Thursday, May 30, 7:30 pm; a service of Evensong to celebrate the Risen Christ’s return to God the Father. Come for a time of peaceful reflection on this important feast day. The Ascension will also be celebrated at the regular Thursday morning Eucharist at 7:00 am.
Next Sunday, June 2: Family Service at 10 am – Celebrate our Confirmands - Jess Gillespie and Kara Phillips, and Abigail Saitta; we will celebrate and give thanks for these young people and this important step they have made in their faith and life. Please be on hand to do so. We’ll also have Birthday & Anniversary Prayers; Children’s Homily; Sunday School Recognition.
Pentecost, June 9 – the giving of the Holy Spirit. We’ll hear the Gospel in a number of different languages, and renew our Baptismal Covenant.
Choir Sunday/Trinity Sunday, June 16 – we’ll have the first performance of the anthem “Ubi Caritas” that All Saints’ commissioned in honor of Bill Smullen’s fifty years in our choir. And as a special treat, the composer R. Douglas Helvering will be here and will conduct his piece. You won’t want to miss this wonderful celebration.
CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Vacation Bible School - for Kids, Adults, & Families - Aslan is on the Move: based on ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ Sunday, June 23–Thursday, June 27, 6:00-8:30 pm
This is an inter-generational Christian experience for kids, adults, and families...in evening time slot, starting with a simple dinner. Invite your friends and neighbors! The program is open to anyone age 6 and older. The cost is $75 per family for the week. For more information please contact Alison Siener Brown (Director of Music at All Saints’): asienerbrown@gmail.com or call the parish office at 908-647-0067.
Themes that are part of this program:
- How our view of truth & reality affects our behavior.
- How our values lead us to action.
- The difference between fear and love.
- The power of forgiveness and reconciliation.
- Willing sacrifice, abiding belief, grief, and joy.
Bible Study this week, Wed. at 10:15 am in the Rath House. We’ll discuss Chapter 6 of Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense by N.T. Wright. Copies of the book are available on the table on the Narthex. Questions? Speak to Mother Vicki.
Crossroads, our camp & retreat center (Episcopal/Lutheran) in Port Murray, NJ, has programs for kids’ summer camp, family camp, and some year round retreats and programs. New brochures are in the Narthex. Take a look!
Next Sunday’s Gospel Box
May 26, Easter 6 – John 14:23-29
Jesus told the disciples that when he returns to the Father he will send us another Advocate – one who speaks on our behalf, referring to the Holy Spirit. How do imagine or experience the Holy Spirit?
June 2, Easter 6 – John 17:20-26
Jesus prays for all those who will come to faith in him through the work and words of the disciples and their followers. Who introduced you to faith in Christ? Who helped your faith to grow?
The readings for each Sunday can be found by going to www.thelectionarypage.net and clicking on the date.
THY KINGDOM COME
From Ascension to Pentecost (5/30-6/9), the Archbishop of Canterbury has called us to join with Anglicans/Episcopalians and other Christians throughout the world to pray for God’s kingdom to come “on earth as it is in heaven.” One way to do this is to pray daily for five people in your life to know the love of God in Jesus Christ, as well as praying for a blessing for our communities, that they will reflect God’s wholeness, peace, and justice. Mother Vicki will host a Facebook Live Prayer Event at 5:45 pm each day. Information about how to join the Event, as well as print prayer resources, are available in the Narthex and here.
STEWARDSHIP
Chairs & Vases – We are looking for church folding chairs, both blue and brown. Maybe you borrowed some for an event at your house. We also are looking for the vases that altar flowers were delivered in – if you have received flowers from All Saints’. If you have either of these things at home, please return them to the side entrance of the Church – no questions asked. Thanks!
Care of Creation - God has made a good and beautiful Creation, and we are called to be faithful stewards of it. In this Easter season we celebrate the redemption of all that God has made, and it is important to consider how we are caring for Creation. If you are interested in exploring ways that we at All Saints’ can be better stewards of Creation close to home, please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex and we’ll find a time to gather and discuss ideas. You can also look here for Episcopal Church resources: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/creation-care
DIOCESAN NEWS
The new Canon to the Ordinary for our diocese has been announced: The Rev. Andrew Wright. Canon Wright comes from the Diocese of Fort Worth (TX), most recently serving as the Interim Rector of Trinity Church, Ft. Worth. He will begin on July 1 and have responsibility as Chief of Staff; staff liaison to Diocesan Council, Trustees, and Standing Committee; clergy licensing, wellness, formation and continuing education; training and oversight of church consultants; and Title IV clergy misconduct matters. He follows Canon Greg Jacobs who retires on June 23. We look forward to welcoming Canon Andrew to our diocese.
PARISH CALENDAR
5/27 Memorial Day Parish Office Closed
5/29 Bible Study Rath House, 10:15 am
5/30 Eucharist & Healing Church, 7:00 am
Junior Choir Choir Room, 5:15 pm
Ascension Evensong Church, 7:30 pm
For a full schedule of our buildings check the website calendar www.allsaintsmillington.org.
CHRISTIAN PRACTICES
Rogation and Ascension
Rogation Days are traditionally the first part of the week before the Feast of the Ascension. They are a time when the Church focuses its prayer on asking (the Latin word for to ask is rogare) God to bless gardens, farms, herds, crops, and the work needed to plant, tend, and harvest. It started in the late 5th century in France. Because processions around a whole village or parish became part of the Rogation practice, it grew to include themes of resolution of property disputes and reconciliation between neighbors. With the emphasis on blessing and giving thanks Rogation was a precursor to Earth Day and our more recent emphasis on Creation Care and environmental stewardship.
Ascension Day is always the fortieth day of Easter, always a Thursday. It is the day we remember the Risen Christ taking the disciples out to the Mount of Olives, giving them the Great Commission (“Go into the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20) and telling them to wait in Jerusalem until they had received the Holy Spirit whom he would send (Luke 24:44-53). After this, Christ returned to heaven. Ascension is one of the seven principal feasts of the Church year, and an article of faith in both the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds. It is not only the completion of Jesus’ story, but it also reminds us that our ministry in Christ’s name always happens through the power of the Holy Spirit – and that very often we need to wait on God’s timing, not our own.
Let us learn to be good stewards of all that God has given us to care for – especially the beautiful Earth; and let us learn the wisdom and blessing of holy waiting.
Blessings, Vicki+
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