Dear Friends in Christ,
Next week is Independence Day. We will include prayers for our country in our worship this Sunday.

Two hundred and forty-one years ago the people who lived in this land began an experiment: could the European settlers, who had come from a variety of different countries, cultures, religions, and with many different attitudes and ideas about the best way to live as a society – some of whom had been living and working here for over a hundred and fifty years already – come together to create a new nation founded on the premise of liberty, freedom, and justice for all people? This new nation was to be self-governing, but even coming to the definition of what that meant, and what shape our country’s institutions would take, took time and discussion and compromise. And we have learned that we have needed to make some corrections and revisions as we’ve gone along (e.g. the Bill of Rights, and other Constitutional amendments). That’s what it means to make an experiment – to try an idea or principle by putting it into action, observing the results (intended or unintended), reflecting on what has been learned, and then making corrections as necessary.

We are still living the experiment, hopefully with a wider understanding of rights and responsibilities for all than we had in the eighteenth century, but with the same core of hope for the future and for the common good of all our people. I wish you and yours a very happy, safe, and reflective Independence Day! ~ VGM+

The Parish Office will be closed Monday July 3 & Tuesday July 4 for the holiday.
Here are this week’s announcements. Please see especially:

• Wednesday Walkabouts (Around the Neighborhood)
• BBQ with the Bishop (Parish Life Events)
• Parish Baseball Outing (Parish Life Events)
• Sponsor-a-Hymn Piano Fundraiser (Fun & Fundraising)

+ + + + + + + +
PARISH LIFE EVENTS
Parish Baseball Outing, Next Sunday, July 9 @ 5:05 pm – Come for a fun evening with your fellow Saints and watch the Somerset Patriots play the Sugar Land, TX Skeeters at the TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater. Tickets are $9.50 per person and we have field box seats reserved right behind home plate! Checks should be made out to All Saints’ Church. Sign up on the sheet in the Narthex and bring your family and friends. There is also a baseball clinic for kids on the field at 4 pm.

B-B-Q with the Bishop, Thursday, July 13, 6 pm. Bishop Beckwith will be here for a dinner picnic, conversation, and friendship. This is an event for the whole family – spend some time with your fellow parishioners. The main dish will be provided; you bring sides, salads, and desserts. A sign-up sheet with specific meal contributions is in the Narthex. Put this on your calendar now and be sure to join in on the night. Questions? Speak to Susan LeVan or Barbara Barbeau.

Summer Refreshments are available after the 10 am service on the Parish House lawn. Please join us! And here is Sunday’s Coffee Hour Conversation Question: In the Gospel Jesus talks about welcoming the stranger. How do you like to be welcomed when you are new in a place? Ask someone else after the service, and then listen for their answer!

FUN & FUNDRAISERS
RUMMAGE IS COMING! The First Sunday of Rummage is August 6. This is the first day you can drop off your good, clean, useful items for donation to the Parish Hall. What do we take? Dishes, linens, costumes, boutique, furniture, yard & garden, tools, small appliances, toys...anything clean and usable. What can’t we take? Tires, tube TVs, large entertainment consoles. The Sale is September 23. This is an event you want to be part of – our largest community event of the year, as well as a fundraiser! There is a poster in the Narthex with all of the various ways to help – we need all hands on deck. For more info speak to Kimberly Celeste.

“Sponsor-a-Hymn” - dedicate a hymn in honor of a birthday, anniversary, baptismal anniversary, graduation, or other special event. Cost is $35 per Sunday for one hymn, and your dedication will be printed in the bulletin, and the person being remembered will be included in the prayers. All the money raised will go toward the Choir Room Piano Fund. Please speak to Director of Music Alison Siener Brown for details. Thanks!

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Wednesday Walkabouts
We are asking questons and learning more about the neighborhoods we live, work, play, and pray in.
Our next walk is this Wednesday, 7/5. Meet in the parking lot across from the Long Hill Tavern in Meyersville at 6:30 pm. We’ll walk the neighborhood for 45 minutes, and have a meal afterwards to share fellowship and talk about what we have seen and learned. These Walkabouts are an experiment of our Going Local Guiding Team (see below). Sign up on the sheet in the Narthex. Questions? Ask Hugh Wallace, Afsaneh Thursfield, Pam Lewis, or Jane Hayden – members of the Guiding Team.
 July 5 – Meyersville Circle (dinner at Long Hill Tavern)
 July 19 – Basking Ridge River Walk (dinner at Ling Ling).

What is Gong Local and what is the Guiding Team?
Going Local is an effort by more than thirty parishes in our diocese to learn more about their own neighborhoods and communities; and to explore small ways the parish community and the wider community can work together as a team for the common good (in church language, the Kingdom of God).

The Guiding Team creates small experiments that gives parishioners an opportunity to connect with neighbors and each other; listen for God’s direction or nudges through conversation and reflection on Scripture and action; and evaluate what was observed and learned. Some of the experiments have been the Vets’ Dinners, the Community Garden in the parking lot, the Parish Community Maps in the Parish Hall, and the Wednesday Walkabouts.

Questions the Guiding Team reflects on are: Where is God in your life? Where do you see God around you? And how do we connect with others – whether we are using God language or not? Building our joyful community of faith in Christ is what Team Saints’ is all about!

STEWARDSHIP
Property Update - In the next week or two we’ll be having some safety pruning done on the trees around the Church and parking lot. We’ll also have two dead or dying trees taken down  - an ash tree in our woods, and the maple tree on playground. Although it is sad to see trees come down, they have become a safety concern. The Vestry will also finish the parking lot light repair and replace the Church side door steps and sacristy door steps this summer. We’ll have more updates as we go along. Please thank our hard-working Vestry!

WORSHIP
Come join the fun and sing in the All Saints' Summer Choir! Two different opportunities! No experience or commitment is needed. Meet in the choir room at 9:15 to learn a simple anthem then help lead worship at 10:00.

• July 9 we'll sing a setting of "Morning Has Broken"
• August 6, a setting of the tune Noel Nouvelet with the text "At the Name of Jesus.”

Music and recordings are available ahead of time. Please talk to Alison Siener Brown for more information.

CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Bible Study – Wed, 10:15 am, in the Rath House. This week, 7/5, we are considering the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13:1-30. You are invited to join us! Bible study will continue until July 12th.

Starts Next  Week! Gentle Yoga Class in July and August, taught by Lori Vigliotti. Thursdays, 2 pm, July 6, 20 and 27; Aug. 3, 10 17.  Price is $15 per session payable on the day to Lori.  This is for both men and women, and combines chair yoga with meditation!  Each week is completely different.  Invite your friends.  For information speak to Louise Easton from the Christian Community, or call the Parish Office.

PARISH CALENDAR
7/3 & 7/4 Parish Office Closed for Independence Day
7/5 Bible Study                       Rath House, 10:15 am
      Walkabout                        Meyersville Circle, 6:30 pm
7/6 Holy Eucharist                 Church, 7:00 am

CHRISTIAN PRACTICES
The Collect for Independence Day
Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace; 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

Here is an arrangement of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” by The United States Army Field Band. Lyrics by Julia Ward Howe; Music by William Steffe; Setting by Peter J. Wilhousky and Arranged by James Neilson. Led by First Lieutenant Alexandra Borza. https://youtu.be/Jy6AOGRsR80

Blessings, Vicki+
 

Dear Friends in Christ,
Here are this week’s announcements. Please see especially:

• Rummage Sale (Fun and Fundraising)
• BBQ with the Bishop (Parish Life Events)
• Parish Baseball Outing (Parish Life Events)
• Sponsor-a-Hymn Piano Fundraiser (Fun & Fundraising)

+ + + + + + + +
STEWARDSHIP
Property Update - The sink hole in the parking lot has been repaired. In the next week or two we’ll be having some safety pruning done on the trees around the Church and parking lot. We’ll also have two dead or dying trees taken down  - an ash tree in our woods, and the maple tree on playground. Although it is sad to see trees come down, they have become a safety concern. The Vestry will also finish the parking lot light repair and replace the Church side door steps and sacristy door steps this summer. We’ll have more updates as we go along. Please thank our hard-working Vestry!

HELPING HANDS
Thanks to everyone who helped with last Saturday’s Vets’ Dinner. We had sixty people in attendance – including new folks from Lyons, Vets from Long Hill, and Vests and their families from the Berkeley Heights VFW Post. It’s wonderful to connect with others in our wider community. Thanks to Kerrie Stepko and her crew!

WORSHIP
Hymn Sing Preludes: During the summer, in place of an instrumental prelude we’ll have a simple hymn sing – the first verse of some of our favorite hymns. If you have a request, please be ready with the hymn number to call out! We’ll start this Sunday.
Come join the fun and sing in the All Saints' Summer Choir! Two different opportunities! No experience or commitment is needed. Meet in the choir room at 9:15 to learn a simple anthem then help lead worship at 10:00.

• July 9 we'll sing a setting of "Morning Has Broken"
• August 6, a setting of the tune Noel Nouvelet with the text "At the Name of Jesus.”

Music and recordings are available ahead of time. Please talk to Alison Siener Brown for more information.

PARISH LIFE EVENTS
Coffee Hour Conversation Question – In the Epistle we’ll hear this Sunday, Paul talks about baptism, so - When and where were you baptized? Who are your godparents?  Ask someone else after the service, and then listen for their answer!

Parish Baseball Outing, Sunday, July 9 @ 5:05 pm – We have 30 tickets available. And we’d like you, your neighbors, and friends to join us! The Somerset Patriots play the Sugar Land, TX Skeeters at the TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater. Tickets are $9.50 per person and we have field box seats reserved right behind home plate! Sign up on the sheet in the Narthex and bring your family and friends. There is also a baseball clinic for kids on the field at 4 pm.

B-B-Q with the Bishop, Thursday, July 13, 6 pm. Bishop Beckwith will be here for a dinner picnic: a relaxed time of conversation, and friendship. This is an event for the whole family – spend some time with your fellow parishioners. The main dish will be provided; you bring sides, salads, and desserts. A sign-up is in the Narthex. Put this on your calendar now and be sure to join in on the night. Questions? Speak to Susan LeVan or Barbara Barbeau.

FUN & FUNDRAISERS
Rummage Sale - The First Sunday of Rummage is August 6. This is the first day you can drop of your good, clean, useful items for donation. The Sale itself is September 23. This is an event you want to be part of – our largest community event of the year, as well as a fundraiser! There is a poster in the Narthex with all of the various ways to help – we need all hands on-deck. For more info speak to Kimberly Celeste.

“Sponsor-a-Hymn” - dedicate a hymn in honor of a birthday, anniversary, baptismal anniversary, graduation, or other special event. Cost is $35 per Sunday for one hymn, and your dedication will be printed in the bulletin, and the person being remembered will be included in the prayers. All the money raised will go toward the Choir Room Piano Fund. Please speak to Director of Music Alison Siener Brown for details. Thanks!

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Wednesday Walkabouts
We had the first of our walks this past week on Main Aveue in Stirling, to see what we could learn about that neighborhood. We ended with a fun dinner at Biagio’s. Besides learning about Stirling, we got to know each other better! Come along for the next one! Sign up on the sheet in the Narthex.
Each walk will start at 6:30 pm  and last about 45 minutes, with a meal afterwards to share fellowship and talk about what we have seen and learned. These Walkabouts are an experiment of our Going Local Guiding Team (see below) Questions? Ask Hugh Wallace, Afsaneh Thursfield, Pam Lewis, or Jane Hayden – members of the Guiding Team.
 July 5 – Meyersville Circle (dinner at Long Hill Tavern)
 July 19 – Basking Ridge River Walk (dinner at Ling Ling)

What is Gong Local and what is the Guiding Team?
Going Local is an effort by more than thirty parishes in our diocese to learn more about their own neighborhoods and communities; and to explore small ways the parish community and the wider community can work together as a team for the common good (in church language, the Kingdom of God).
The Guiding Team creates small experiments that gives parishioners an opportunity to connect with neighbors and each other; listen for God’s direction or nudges through conversation and reflection on Scripture and action; and evaluate what was observed and learned. Some of the experiments have been the Vets’ Dinners, the Community Garden in the parking lot, the Parish Community Maps in the Parish Hall, and the Wednesday Walkabouts.
Questions the Guiding Team reflects on are: Where is God in your life? Where do you see God around you? And how do we connect with others – whether we are using God language or not? Building our joyful community of faith in Christ is what Team Saints’ is all about!

CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Bible Study – Wed, 10:15 am, in the Rath House. This week, 6/28, we are reading Esther, chapters 9 & 10. You are invited to join us! Bible study will continue until July 19th.

Gentle Yoga Class in July and August, taught by Lori Vigliotti. Thursdays, 2 pm, July 6, 20 and 27; Aug. 3, 10 17.  Price is $15 per session payable on the day to Lori.  This is for both men and women, and combines chair yoga with meditation!  Each week is completely different.  Invite your friends.  For information speak to Louise Easton from the Christian Community, or call the Parish Office.

PARISH CALENDAR
6/26  Evening Prayer                Church, 6:00 pm
         Pilgrim Group                  Rath House, 7:00 pm
6/28  Bible Study                       Rath House, 10:15 am
         Parish Life Planning        Rath House, 7:00 pm
6/29 Holy Eucharist                  Church, 7:00 am
For a full schedule of our buildings check the website calendar www.allsaintsmillington.org.

CHRISTIAN PRACTICES
Whenever we engage in any kind of ministry, or extend ourselves to others, it always helps us to pray before-hand – sometimes silently, sometimes aloud or with others. When the Vestry meets to do their work, here is what they pray together:
Vestry Prayer
Gracious God, bless us with your presence as we meet together:
Help us to remember that you welcome us with your unfailing love,
not for what we might become but as we are, with all our faults and weaknesses; help us to bring our whole selves, and to look for the best in each other.
We ask your blessing on us as we gather in your name;
where we have difficult decisions to make and discussions to share in,
may we conduct them with grace, humility and courtesy;
where there is disagreement and difference,
may we agree to be united in the service of your Son;
where there is agreement, may it be confirmed by you and
discerned in the lives of faith we lead.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.                             
             ~ adptd. from St. Mary’s, Broughty Ferry, Dundee, Scotland

Since our Vestry prayer is borrowed from the Episcopal Church of Scotland, here is a link to a contemporary Scottish hymn, based on Psalm 139: https://youtu.be/AW6AQe4KL3c?list=RDYNgBx9D5guU

Blessings, Vicki+

Dear Friends in Christ,
Summer is here, school is almost out, and our high school seniors are graduating! (see Parish Life below for a listing of those graduates). But both worship and parish life and ministry continue! Take a look at the offerings below and see if there is something you’d like to participate in this summer.
Here are this week’s announcements. Please see especially:

• Rummage Sale (Fun and Fundraising)
• Dinner with Vets (Helping Hands)
• BBQ with the Bishop (Parish Life Events)
• Father’s Day (Worship)
• Parish Baseball Outing (Parish Life Events)

+ + + + + + + +
HELPING HANDS
THIS SATURDAY - Dinner for Vets – June 17, 5:30 pm, All Saints’ Parish House. Join us for a meal with our friends from the V.A. in Lyons and Vets from our local community. We need help with set-up, clean-up, side dishes and desserts. Speak to Kerrie Stepko to help with this ministry.

WORSHIP
Fathers’ Day – this Sunday at both 8 & 10 am we’ll offer prayers for all of our fathers. Carnations will be available for you to take to honor or remember your Dad.

Hymn Sing Preludes: During the summer, in place of an instrumental prelude we’ll have a simple hymn sing – the first verse of some of our favorite hymns. If you have a request, please be ready with the hymn number to call out! We’ll start this Sunday.

Come join the fun and sing in the All Saints' Summer Choir! Two different opportunities! No experience or commitment is needed. Meet in the choir room at 9:15 to learn a simple anthem then help lead worship at 10:00.

• July 9 we'll sing a setting of "Morning Has Broken"
• August 6, a setting of the tune Noel Nouvelet with the text "At the Name of Jesus.”

Music and recordings are available ahead of time. Please talk to Alison Siener Brown for more information.

PARISH LIFE EVENTS
Coffee Hour Conversation Question – we started this last Sunday. After worship, talk to someone else (preferably another parishioner) about this question that is related to sone aspect of  our service. Here is this week’s question: When have you laughed because of something unexpected in your life? – like Sarah laughing in today’s reading from Genesis? Ask someone else after the service, and then listen for their answer!

Summer Refreshments are available after the 10 am service on the Parish House lawn. Please join us for a cool drink and conversation. If you can host a Sunday (iced tea, lemonade, cookies), please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex or speak to John McGrath.

Parish Baseball Outing, Sunday, July 9 @ 5:05 pm – Come for a fun evening with your fellow Saints and watch the Somerset Patriots play the Sugar Land, TX Skeeters at the TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater. Tickets are $9.50 per person and we have field box seats reserved right behind home plate! Sign up on the sheet in the Narthex and bring your family and friends. There is also a baseball clinic for kids on the field at 4 pm.

B-B-Q with the Bishop, Thursday, July 13, 6 pm. Bishop Beckwith will be here for a dinner picnic, conversation, and friendship. This is an event for the whole family. The main dish will be provided; you bring sides, salads, and desserts. A sign-up sheet with specific meal contributions is in the Narthex. Put this on your calendar now and be sure to join in on the night.
Questions? Speak to Susan LeVan.

Congratulations to our High School Grads: Graham Gaulke, Audrey Godwin, Amy Hackett, Katrina Howard, Kayla McNulty, Nick Mink, Gabby Pecoraro, & Amelia Stapperfenne, Blessings to all!

FUN & FUNDRAISERS
Rummage Sale - The First Sunday of Rummage is August 6. This is the first day you can drop of your good, clean, useful items for donation. The Sale itself is September 23. This is an event you want to be part of – our largest community event of the year, as well as a fundraiser! There is a poster in the Narthex with all of the various ways to help – we need all hands on-deck. For more info speak to Kimberly Celeste.

“Sponsor-a-Hymn” - dedicate a hymn in honor of a birthday, anniversary, baptismal anniversary, graduation, or other special event. Cost is $35 per Sunday for one hymn, and your dedication will be printed in the bulletin, and the person being remembered will be included in the prayers. All the money raised will go toward the Choir Room Piano Fund. Please speak to Director of Music Alison Siener Brown for details. Thanks!

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Wednesday Walkabouts How well do you know the neighborhoods that All Saints’ serves? No matter how often you drive through a place, you never see it the same way as when you walk it. This summer we’ll have evening Walkabouts in three parish neighborhoods: Stirling Main Street, Meyersville Circle, and Basking Ridge/Warren River Walk.
Each walk will last about 45 minutes, with a meal at a local restaurant afterwards to share fellowship and talk about what we have seen and learned. More details to come, but here are the dates. You are invited to come to one or all three! Questions? Speak to Jane Hayden, Hugh Wallace, or Afsaneh Thursfield.
    June 20 – Stirling (dinner at Stirling Hotel)
    July 5 – Meyerville Circle (dinner at Long Hill Tavern)
    July 19 – Basking Ridge River Walk (dinner TBA)

And how well do you know your fellow Saints? Help us find out! In the Parish Hall we have street maps for Long Hill, Warren, and Basking Ridge. Please add a push pin to the maps for the places you live (red), play (purple), and spend money (green). If you live off the map, put in a pin in the general direction!

CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Bible Study – Wed, 10:15 am, in the Rath House. This week, 6/7, we are reading Esther, chapter 8. You are invited to join us! Bible study will continue until July 19th.

Gentle Yoga Class in July and August, taught by Lori Vigliotti. Thursdays, 2 pm, July 6, 20 and 27; Aug. 3, 10 17.  Price is $15 per session payable on the day to Lori.  This is for both men and women, and combines chair yoga with meditation!  Each week is completely different.  Invite your friends.  For information speak to Louise Easton from the Christian Community, or call the Parish Office.

STEWARDSHIP
The Community Garden is on the back island of the parking lot. We have participants from the parish, the Christian Community, groups that meet in the Parish House, and neighbors – each with their own plot. It’s a great, visible way to connect with our neighborhood, as well having the joy of gardening – an idea of the Guiding Team. Any interested gardeners are welcome to a plot. To get started, speak to Jane Hayden.

PARISH CALENDAR
6/19 Evening Prayer                Church, 6:00 pm
        Pilgrim Group                  Rath House, 7:00 pm
6/19 Vestry                               Rath House, 7:30 pm
6/20 Bible Study                       Rath House, 10:15 am
        Walk-about                       Stirling, 6:30 pm
6/21 Holy Eucharist                 Church, 7:00 am
For a full schedule of our buildings check the website calendar www.allsaintsmillington.org.

CHRISTIAN PRACTICES
As we travel and spend more time outdoors in the warmer weather, we have the opportunity to appreciate more of God’s creation – from the tiny honeybee to an incredible sunset. While the Episcopal Church for many years has embraced the study of science and the practice of faith, not all Christian traditions have done so. There is a recent organization called BioLogos that draws together faith and science in a particular way. Here is their mission statement: “BioLogos invites the church and the world to see the harmony between science and biblical faith as we present an evolutionary understanding of God's creation.”
Here is a short video from BioLogos that tells the story of creation and evolution and time with both Biblical and biological language. Take a look: https://youtu.be/ZqgnJ1GR8ms

Every creature, every plant,
every rock and grain of sand
proclaims the glory of its Creator,
worships through colour, shape,
scent and form.
A multi-sensory song of praise.
Creator God, may we join
with the whole of your creation,
in praising you, our Creator,
through the fragrance
and melody of our lives. Amen.
Read more at: http://www.faithandworship.com/creation_prayers.htm#ixzz4kD2pBYld
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution

Blessings, Vicki+

Dear Friends in Christ,
This Sunday is Trinity Sunday, and the close of our traditional program year....but not really! Wednesday Bible Study and Thursday morning worship continue for another six weeks. There will be two Summer Choir Sundays, and we have BBQ with the Bishop, Baseball Outing, and Wednesday Walkabouts to look forward to! And of course, our faith and our relationship with God are year round!
In preparation for Choir Sunday at 10 am this week, please listen to the link at the bottom of the page. It’s a conversation with the opera singer Renee Fleming and biologist/Director of the Human Genome Project Francis Collins – all about music and science/medicine. Take a listen!

Here are this week’s announcements. Please see especially:

• Rummage Sale (Fun and Fundraising)
• Dinner with Vets (Helping Hands)
• BBQ with the Bishop (Parish Life Events)
• Choir Sunday (Worship)

+ + + + + + + +
WORSHIP
Choir Sunday – This Sunday our Junior Choristers will be recognized for having completed next levels of Royal School of Music choir training. We’ll thank our Adult Choir and Bell Choir for their ministry. Thank you, Choirs, for your ministry of music all during the year!
In July and August, we have Summer Choir on July 16 & August 6 for anyone who wants to come and try us out! Come to rehearsal at 9:30 am. We’ll learn an anthem for that day’s service, and enjoying singing together and offering our gifts to God and the congregation! For more information, speak to Alison Siener Brown, Director of Music.

HELPING HANDS
Dinner for Vets – June 17, 5:30 pm, All Saints’ Parish House. Join us for a meal with our friends from the V.A. in Lyons and Vets from our local community. We need help with set-up, clean-up, side dishes and desserts. Speak to Kerrie Stepko to help with this ministry.

Make Sleeping Mats for Homeless - Wednesday, June 14 at 7:30 pm in the Parish House Lower Room. We make “plarn” (plastic bag yarn) out of used grocery and newspaper bags, and then crochet a 3’ x 6’ mat out of it to be distributed to the homeless through the Bridges feeding program. Friends and neighbors are invited to be part of the effort and fellowship Questions? Speak to Susie Harris.

Operation Sunscreen - Did you know that one of the personal care items NOT provided by the military to our overseas troops is SUNSCREEN? Operation Jersey Cares supplies our soldiers with care packages including sunscreen. OPERATION SUNSCREEN is a partnership of local Mary Kay units and Jersey Cares. How can you help? For every 100 % tax deductible Mary Kay SPF50 sunscreen you purchase for donation from Laurie Gasulke one will be donated in your name. Operation Jersey Cares is a registered non-profit ID# 26-3385585. Donors of 20 sunscreens or more will receive a special certificate and honorary mention in local TAPinto.net online news. Please email laurie.mg96@gmail.com or call Laurie Gaulke at (908) 591-7595 for more details. Thanks!

PARISH LIFE EVENTS
Parish Baseball Outing, Sunday, July 9 @ 5:05 pm – Come for a fun evening with your fellow Saints and watch the Somerset Patriots play the Sugar Land, TX Skeeters at the TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater. Tickets are $9.50 per person and we have field box seats reserved right behind home plate! Sign up on the sheet in the Narthex and bring your family and friends. There is also a baseball clinic for kids on the field at 4 pm.

B-B-Q with the Bishop, Thursday, July 13, 6 pm. Bishop Beckwith will be here for a dinner picnic, conversation, and friendship. This is an event for the whole family. The main dish will be provided; you bring sides, salads, and desserts. A sign-up sheet with specific meal contributions is in the Narthex. Put this on your calendar now and be sure to join in on the night.
Questions? Speak to Susan LeVan.

FUN & FUNDRAISERS
Rummage Sale on the Horizon!  The First Sunday of Rummage is August 6. This is the first day you can drop of your good, clean, useful items for donation. The Sale itself is September 23. This is an event you want to be part of – our largest community event of the year! You’ll be hearing and seeing more from Kimberly Celeste soon, but get these dates on your calendar.

Choir Room Piano/Sponsor-a-Hymn - dedicate a hymn in honor of a birthday, anniversary, baptismal anniversary, graduation, or other special event. You may choose the hymn in consultation with Alison, or sponsor a hymn that is already chosen for the day. Cost is $35 per Sunday for one hymn, and your dedication will be printed in the bulletin, and the person being remembered will be included in the prayers. All the money raised will go toward the Choir Room Piano Fund. Please speak to Director of Music Alison Siener Brown if you have any questions. Thanks!

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Wednesday Walkabouts How well do you know the neighborhoods that All Saints’ serves? No matter how often you drive through a place, you never see it the same way as when you walk it. This summer we’ll have evening Walkabouts in three parish neighborhoods: Stirling Main Street, Meyersville Circle, and Basking Ridge/Warren River Walk. Each walk will last about 45 minutes, with a meal at a local restaurant afterwards to share fellowship and talk about what we have seen and learned. More details to come, but here are the dates. You are invited to come to one or all three! Questions? Speak to Jane Hayden, Hugh Wallace, or Afsaneh Thursfield.
    June 21 – Stirling (dinner at Stirling Hotel)
    July 5 – Meyerville Circle (dinner at Long Hill Tavern)
    July 19 – Basking Ridge River Walk (dinner TBA)
And how well do you know your fellow Saints? Help us find out! In the Parish Hall we have street maps for Long Hill, Warren, and Basking Ridge. Please add a push pin to the maps for the places you live (red), play (purple), and spend money (green). If you live off the map, put in a pin in the general direction! Here  is a Coffee Hour Conversation question to ask your neighbor when we gather after worship this Sunday: What is your favorite hymn? Why?

CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Bible Study – Wed, 10:15 am, in the Rath House. This week, 6/7, we are reading Esther, chapter 6. You are invited to join us!
Pilgrim, a Course for the Christian Journey: The Beatitudes. Monday at 7:00 pm in the Rath House, through 6/19. You are welcome to drop-in when you can or come every week.

STEWARDSHIP
Community Garden – on the back island of the parking lot has raised beds with plots (4x4, and 3x4) that are now ready for planting. Any interested gardeners – parishioners and neighbors, kids and families – are welcome to a plot. What should you plant? Flowers, herbs, vegetables, pollinator-friendly plants – whatever suits your fancy and your ability to tend a plot! You can take your produce home, or share it with Seniors in town through Long Hill Senior Center. To get started with a plot, speak to Jane Hayden, 770-855-3754.

PARISH CALENDAR
6/12 Evening Prayer              Church, 6:00 pm
        Pilgrim Group                  Rath House, 7:00 pm
6/13 Finance Committee      Rath House, 7:30 pm
6/14 Bible Study                     Rath House, 10:15 am
        Plarn Mat Making            PH Lower Room, 7:30 pm
6/15 Holy Eucharist                Church, 7:00 am
6/17 Vets’ Dinner                     PH Lower Room, 5:30 pm
For a full schedule of our buildings check the website calendar www.allsaintsmillington.org.

CHRISTIAN PRACTICES
Here is the link to the conversation between Renee Fleming and Francis Collins:
http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/06/02/530879198/the-soprano-and-the-scientist-a-conversation-about-music-and-medicine
 
And here is the prayer that is known as St. Patrick’s Breastplate. It’s the text of hymn # 370 – a Trinity Sunday classic.

I bind unto myself today
The strong Name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same
The Three in One and One in Three.
I bind this today to me forever
By power of faith, Christ’s incarnation;
His baptism in Jordan river,
His death on Cross for my salvation;
His bursting from the spicèd tomb,
His riding up the heavenly way,
His coming at the day of doom

I bind unto myself today.
I bind unto myself the power
Of the great love of cherubim;
The sweet ‘Well done’ in judgment hour,
The service of the seraphim,
Confessors’ faith, Apostles’ word,
The Patriarchs’ prayers, the prophets’ scrolls,
All good deeds done unto the Lord
And purity of virgin souls.

I bind unto myself today
The virtues of the star lit heaven,
The glorious sun’s life giving ray,
The whiteness of the moon at even,
The flashing of the lightning free,
The whirling wind’s tempestuous shocks,
The stable earth, the deep salt sea
Around the old eternal rocks.

I bind unto myself today
The power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, His might to stay,
His ear to hearken to my need.
The wisdom of my God to teach,
His hand to guide, His shield to ward;
The word of God to give me speech,
His heavenly host to be my guard.
Against the demon snares of sin,
The vice that gives temptation force,
The natural lusts that war within,
The hostile men that mar my course;
Or few or many, far or nigh,
In every place and in all hours,
Against their fierce hostility

I bind to me these holy powers.
Against all Satan’s spells and wiles,
Against false words of heresy,
Against the knowledge that defiles,
Against the heart’s idolatry,
Against the wizard’s evil craft,
Against the death wound and the burning,
The choking wave, the poisoned shaft,
Protect me, Christ, till Thy returning.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the Name,
The strong Name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One and One in Three.
By Whom all nature hath creation,
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
Salvation is of Christ the Lord.

Here’s a link to the hymn, sung by the Choir of Keble College, Oxford. https://youtu.be/q5Hin4swdKg

Trinity blessings, Vicki+

Dear Friends in Christ,
Alleluia. Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
This Sunday is the Fast of Pentecost – the celebration of the giving of the Holy Spirit, the “birthday” of the Church, and one of the four major baptismal feast days. This is always an important and fun Sunday in the life of the parish. Please plan on joining us for worship, wearing red, and bringing something yummy for coffee hour after the 10 am service.
We’ll also be acknowledging our Sunday School students and thanking our teachers.
Here are this week’s announcements. Please see especially:

• Rummage Sale (Fun and Fundraising)
• Dinner with Vets (Helping Hands)
• BBQ with the Bishop (Parish Life Events)
• Pentecost (Worship)

+ + + + + + + +
WORSHIP
Pentecost, this Sunday, June 4! Wear red!
As we celebrate the giving of the Holy Spirit, we’ll hear the Gospel in a number of different languages, and renew our Baptismal Covenant. At the 10 am service we’ll start with a Pentecost procession with our Christian (Catholic) Community friends, starting in front of the Parish House. After worship we’ll join forces for a celebratory coffee hour. Please be sure to make yourself a name-tag as we gather at the Parish House. The Christian Community have been our partners in the V.A. Dinners, and we have supported them in some of their work with the Hezekiah Project street ministry in Baltimore. Fr. Joe McDonough will be here from Baltimore and will share at coffee hour a little bit about the ministry there.

Parish Baseball Outing, Sunday, July 9 @ 5:05 pm – Come for a fun evening with your fellow Saints and watch the Somerset Patriots play the Sugar Land, TX Skeeters at the TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater. Tickets are $9.50 per person and we have field box seats reserved right behind home plate! Sign up on the sheet in the Narthex and bring your family and friends. There is also a baseball clinic for kids on the field at 4 pm.

B-B-Q with the Bishop, Thursday, July 13, 6 pm. Bishop Beckwith will be here for a dinner picnic, conversation, and friendship. This is an event for the whole family. The main dish will be provided; you bring sides, salads, and desserts. A sign-up sheet will be coming soon. Put this on your calendar now and be sure to join in on the night. Questions? Speak to Susan LeVan.

FUN & FUNDRAISERS
Rummage Sale on the Horizon!  The First Sunday of Rummage is August 6. This is the first day you can drop of your good, clean, useful items for donation. The Sale itself is September 23. This is an event you want to be part of – our largest community event of the year! You’ll be hearing and seeing more from Kimberly Celeste soon, but get these dates on your calendar.

Choir Room Piano/Sponsor-a-Hymn - dedicate a hymn in honor of a birthday, anniversary, baptismal anniversary, graduation, or other special event. You may choose the hymn in consultation with Alison, or sponsor a hymn that is already chosen for the day. Cost is $35 per Sunday for one hymn, and your dedication will be printed in the bulletin, and the person being remembered will be included in the prayers. All the money raised will go toward the Choir Room Piano Fund. Please speak to Director of Music Alison Siener Brown if you have any questions. Thanks!

CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Summer Service Camp, June 26-30; 9:00-11:30 am. Kids age 5&6 - three days; Kids age 7 and older - five days. We’ll learn about different ways of serving in our community – feeding people, tending a “giving garden”, caring for the environment. We’ll have lots of hands-on projects, including two field trips. Cost is $40. For more info, registration, and questions about younger children, pick up a flyer in the Narthex.

Bible Study – Wed, 10:15 am, in the Rath House. This week, 6/7, we are reading Esther, chapter 5. You are invited to join us!

Pilgrim, a Course for the Christian Journey: The Beatitudes. Monday at 7:00 pm in the Rath House, through 6/19. You are welcome to drop-in when you can or come every week

Nursery Care during worship continues during the summer months for children (through age 4) in the Undercroft of the Church.

HELPING HANDS
Dinner for Vets – June 17, 5:30 pm, All Saints’ Parish House. Join us for a meal with our friends from the V.A. in Lyons and Vets from our local community. We need help with set-up, clean-up, side dishes and desserts. Speak to Kerrie Stepko to help with this ministry.

Make Sleeping Mats for Homeless - Wednesday, June 14 at 7:30 pm in the Parish House Lower Room. We make “plarn” (plastic bag yarn) out of used grocery and newspaper bags, and then crochet a 3’ x 6’ mat out of it to be distributed to the homeless through the Bridges feeding program. Friends and neighbors are invited to be part of the effort and fellowship Questions? Speak to Susie Harris.

Wednesday Walkabouts How well do you know the neighborhoods that All Saints’ serves? No matter how often you drive through a place, you never see it the same way as when you walk it. This summer we’ll have evening Walkabouts in three parish neighborhoods: Stirling Main Street, Meyersvile Circle, and Basking Ridge/Warren River Walk. Each walk will last about 45 minutes, with a meal at a local restaurant afterwards to share fellowship and talk about what we have seen and learned. More details to come, but here are the dates. You are invited to come to one or all three! Questions? Speak to Jane Hayden, Hugh Wallace, or Afsaneh Thursfield.
    June 21 – Stirling Main Street (dinner at Stirling Hotel)
    July 5 – Meyerville Circle (dinner at Long Hill Tavern)
    July 19 – Basking Ridge River Walk (dinner location TBA)

STEWARDSHIP
Community Garden – on the back island of the parking lot has raised beds with plots (4x4, and 3x4) that are now ready for planting. Any interested gardeners – parishioners and neighbors, kids and families – are welcome to a plot. What should you plant? Flowers, herbs, vegetables, pollinator-friendly plants – whatever suits your fancy and your ability to tend a plot! You can take your produce home, or share it with Seniors in town through Long Hill Senior Center. To get started with a plot, speak to Jane Hayden, 770-855-3754.

DIOCESE OF NEWARK….AND BEYOND
Prayer for the Bishop’s Search - Gracious God, we, your people in the Diocese of Newark, give you thanks and praise for your work among us and through us, generation to generation. Lead us in the months ahead as we prayerfully search for our next Bishop. Raise up for us a steadfast steward who will embrace our broad and blessed diversity and uphold the apostolic heritage of your Church. Guide us to a faithful witness who speaks the Gospel truth in love and joy, and intimately knows your Word and world. Direct us, your disciples, in our discernment so our faith may increase and our works glorify your Name. All this we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.
For more information about the Search or for other diocesan matters, check the Diocese of Newark website: www.dioceseofnewark.org

PARISH CALENDAR
6/5 Evening Prayer                Church, 6 :00 pm
      Pilgrim Group                  Rath House, 7:00 pm
6/7 Bible Study                       Rath House, 10:15 am
6/8 Holy Eucharist                 Church, 7:00 am
      Small Saints’& Jr Choirs 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
Pentecost in Two Minutes
Take a look at this short, snappy video which describes Pentecost. it was produced by a Roman Catholic group, and is equally true for Episcopalians! https://youtu.be/J5tr4pqWIo4
Come, Holy Spirit, and enkindle the hearts of your faithful.

Thy Kingdom Come, Day 6
Ascension and Pentecost blessings,
Vicki+