Dear Friends in Christ,
The Rummage Sale is here! If you didn’t sign up to help in some way, we still need you. Help put rummage out on the tables and generally “fluff” the merchandise during the day; home for clean-up at 2 pm and help pack up left-overs for Salvation Army, etc.; stop by our Blessings-to-Go table which has lots of All Saints’ and Episcopal Church literature, prayer cards, and will be staffed from 9:30-11:00 am by Sisters Monica Clare and Deborah Frances; or just come and mingle with the crowd and be part of the great All Saints’ welcoming and Spirit-filled presence!
Here are the week’s announcements. In particular please see:

• Narnia Book Club Starts Sunday (Christian Formation)
• Shop-Rite Gift Cards (Fun and Fundraising)
• Social Media Sunday (Good News Sharing)
  

CHRISTIAN FORMATION & SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
Narnia GO! (One Parish: One Book) - Sunday we kick off our Narnia Book Club. Narnia Readers will be commissioned during the announcement time at the 10 am service. Kids, adults, families, and singles are invited to be part of this intergenerational read. Each week the group will read two or three chapters of C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (set in the fictional land of Narnia where the Lion Alsan is the Christ figure). There will be questions to ponder and discuss in the bulletin, as well as posted to the Club’s Facebook group. Go to the parish FB group to find it.
Why are we doing this? C.S. Lewis was a writer who put his Christian faith into stories that call on our imagination, creativity, and curiosity. Reading his books in The Chronicles of Narnia series is a way approach faith from a different angle – and share it with a child you love, or your own inner child.
Copies of the book are available for just $5— along with brochures and bookmarks in our Narnia Corner at the rear of the church. Look for the Lamppost, and join in!

Bible Study meets on Wednesdays at 10:15 am in the Rath House. We are reading and discussing the Gospel of Mark. This week we’re covering Chapter 3. No experience is needed or expected, only a desire to learn, ask questions, laugh, and grow with others. Questions? Speak to Mother Vicki.

GOOD NEWS SHARING
This Sunday is Social Media Sunday - Check in at All Saints’ on Facebook, post a selfie at Church to Instagram, Tweet a line of the sermon or Gospel or a favorite hymn, post a short video to YouTube. Share the Good News of God’s love here at All Saints’. This is a national effort that the Episcopal Church is strongly behind. Be sure to include the hashtags #sms2018 #episcopalevangelism.

FUN & FUNDRAISING
NEW! ShopRite gift cards are available in $25 increments. Buy gift cards at the Rummage Sale (at the check-out table) to purchase your groceries. It does not cost you any more than what you would have spent at the store and 5% goes to All Saints’ ministries. The cards will also be available at the Parish Office and Church on Sundays (but we are looking for one or two volunteers to be our Sunday “sales people”). Speak with Mother Vicki or Jane Hayden if you have questions.

WORSHIP
Morning Prayer at 10 am this Week (Eucharist at 8 am) – It’s the fifth Sunday of the month and we’ll worship using the service of Morning Prayer at our later service.

Blessing of the Animals in honor of St. Francis. This is our annual service in celebration of God’s creation and the saint who showed us how to love it. Bring your leashed or caged pet on Sunday, October 7 at 5:00 pm to the Memorial Garden for a prayer and a blessing. Invite your neighbors, too.

Altar Guild Dinner, October 17 at 6 pm in the Rath House. The Altar Guild is the parish ministry that sets up the altar and church for our services each week, and cares for the vestments, linens, sacred vessels, and interior of the church. It is open to anyone who is interested in working with others in this kind of behind-the-scenes effort which supports our worship. Interested? Speak to Liz Gorny.

ALL SAINTS’ PRIDE 
Get your All Saints’ Shirts! Red polo shirts (short or long sleeve) with our name and the Episcopal shield are available for purchase. Cost is $26 or $30. Wear them for parish events, Rummage Sale, whenever you want to send a simple message about our parish! Order forms are in the display in the Narthex.

PARISH LIFE
Save the Date – Nov. 17 for Grateful Gathering: Murder Mystery Dinner Night! Save the Date – Nov. 17 for Grateful Gathering: Murder Mystery Dinner Night! This is a fun event to gather together as a parish and spend an evening together. Primarily for adults, it’s appropriate for youth in middle school and older, also. Table teams will work together to solve the mystery of a murder drama titled: Thou Shalt Not Kill, set in an English country church. Laurie Gaulke is our organizer, and she needs help: seven people to play roles, folks to set up and decorate the Parish Hall, and other to organize appetizers and desserts (the entrée will be catered). There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex to volunteer. More information to come.

HELPING OTHERS
There was a monumental ‘Saints’ Sighting’ at ShopRite in Stirling at the Sept 19 Help Bag Hunger event, as more than a dozen All Saints’ parishioners helped bag groceries. A Part of ShopRite’s Partners in Caring outreach, this is their annual fund-raising effort for local food pantries like our 12 Baskets Food Ministry. Thanks to all who volunteered!

Drivers Needed for FoodBank Pick-up – Once a month we need volunteers to drive to the Community FoodBank in Hillside to pick up our food pantry order. This is a day-time opportunity because that is when the CFBNJ operates. If you can help, or would like to know more, speak with Kerrie Stepko.

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Musikgarten: Early Childhood Music Classes – for babies & toddlers; preschoolers; and young elementary group piano lessons. Taught here at All Saints’ by our director of Music Alison Siener Brown, under the auspices of Music in the Somerset Hills. Classes star the first week in October. For information speak to Alison or check the website http://musicsh.org/musikgarten/.

DIOCESAN NEWS
The Rt. Rev. Carlye J. Hughes was ordained and consecrated as the 11th bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark at 11 AM on Saturday, September 22, at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, NJ. More than 2000 people attended the consecration service, and nearly 200 others from around the world joined the service by live-streaming video. Twenty-five folks from All Saints’ participated or attended. Thanks to Suzanne Kosempel for arranging our parish bus, and to Alison Siener Brown for rehearsing our choir members. Here is the link to the sermon from the service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGBnJGzHw6o&feature=youtu.be
And here is the link to the diocesan website for all the coverage, including wonderful photos: https://dioceseofnewark.org/content/consecration-coverage
We look forward to the time when Bishop Carlye will come and visit us at All Saints’!

PARISH CALENDAR
10/2     Good Scout Award: Carol Prasa
            ticket required                           The Primavera, Stirling
10/3     Bible Study                                 Rath House, 10:15 am
10/4     Eucharist & Healing Prayer        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
For All the Saints: St. Michael & All Angels, September 29 – this is one of the Church’s major feast days, celebrating the presence of God’s angelic servants in creation. Michael is thought to be the captain of the angelic hosts, and in Revelation 12 he defeats the Devil (“And there was war in heaven…”). Many churches in England, particularly, have icons or paintings of St. Michael near the church door – an image of protection. All Saints’ has a St. Michael icon on the wall behind the choir stalls, near the big door.
This feast day is important to All Saints’ for another reason. It is the day that our church building was first dedicated and consecrated by Bishop Lines – September 29, 1906. We are officially 112 years old!

The Collect for the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels
Everlasting God, you have ordained and constituted in a wonderful order the ministries of angels and mortals: Mercifully grant that, as your holy angels always serve and worship you in heaven, so by your appointment they may help and defend us here on earth; 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
You can read more about this feast here: http://satucket.com/lectionary/Michael.htm

Coffee Hour Conversation Starter
At coffee hour on Sunday, ask someone: Where did you see God at work at the Rummage Sale? Listen to the other person’s answers, and then share yours.

Blessings, Vicki+

Dear Friends in Christ,
Saturday is the consecration of our new Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Carlye J. Hughes. All Saints’ will be well-represented by about 25 people - in the congregation, in the choir and children’s choir, as a banner bearer, as a flag bearer, and a Eucharistic minister. And a little piece of All Saints’ will be on the stage! The diocese borrowed our free-standing lectern and our Bishop’s chair (the one at the altar the Celebrant usually sits in). The needle-pointed cushions on the chair depict the seal of our Diocese. This is the chair that Presiding Bishop Michael Curry (as the chief consecrator) will preside from for the consecration. The Presiding Bishop is the senior clergy person for the entire Episcopal Church – which means all fifty U.S. states, and diocese in nine different countries, including Haiti and Honduras. You may also remember that Bishop Curry was the preacher at the Royal Wedding back in the spring. It will be an honor and an inspiration to have him here in our diocese for this event!

Sunday afternoon at 3 pm during a service of Evensong, Bishop Hughes will be formally seated and installed in her seat (cathedra) at Trinity & St. Philip’s Cathedral in Newark. Everyone is invited to attend.

Thanks be to God for this new chapter in the life, work, ministry and mission of our diocese. Please keep Bishop Carlye in your prayers!

Here are the week’s announcements. In particular please see:

• Rummage Sale Final Week (Fun & Fundraising)
• Good Scout Award Dinner: Carol Prasa (Around the Neighborhood)
• Blessing of the Animals (Worship)
• Narnia Book Club (Christian Formation)
• Murder Mystery Dinner Night (Parish Life)

FUN & FUNDRAISING
We are on the home stretch of Rummage Collection.  Sunday 9/23 is the last collection day—from noon until 2pm. Saturday, September 29 is SALE DAY from 9 am-2 pm. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year! We need your help in these ways especially: sort and price this week (very important!),;bake for the bake sale; unpack boxes and put rummage on tables during set up and throughout the sale; staff the different areas - especially linens and furniture; bring pop-up tents and portable tables in case of weather. Sign up on the poster in the narthex or speak with Kimberly Celeste to find out ways to help!

NEW! ShopRite gift cards are available in $25 increments. Buy gift cards at the Rummage Sale (at the check-out table) to purchase your groceries. It does not cost you any more than what you would have spent at the store and 5% goes to All Saints’ ministries. The cards will also be available at Church on Sundays. Speak with Mother Vicki or Jane Hayden if you have questions.

CHRISTIAN FORMATION & SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
Narnia Book Club Comes to All Saints’ Oct. 7: Bring your imagination, creativity, and curiosity to faith in Jesus as a child, an adult, or a family in this home-based effort. We’ll read C.S. Lewis’ book The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and have opportunities for conversation and activities. Pick up a brochure with full information, copies of the book are available for just $5—both are in our Narnia Corner at the rear of the church!

Who was C.S. Lewis? Clive Staples Lewis (1898-1963) was a British novelist, poet, academic, medievalist, philosopher, literary critic, essayist, lay theologian, broadcaster, lecturer, and Christian apologist. He held academic positions at both Oxford University and Cambridge University. He served in the British army during World War I and came to active Christian faith in his 30s. During World War II he broadcast talks on faith and Christian living at the invitation of the BBC. Lewis was part of a circle of friends that included JRR Tolkien, Charles Williams, and Dorothy Sayers who met weekly to talk about literature and Christianity. While Lewis was a brilliant scholar and wrote primarily for adults, the Chronicles of Narnia books were written for children, to be enjoyed by all ages.

Bible Study meets on Wednesdays at 10:15 am in the Rath House. We are reading and discussing the Gospel of Mark. This week we’re covering Chapter 2. No experience is needed or expected, only a desire to learn, ask questions, laugh, and grow with others. Questions? Speak to Mother Vicki.

WORSHIP
Blessing of the Animals is in honor of St. Francis. Bring your leashed or caged pet on Sunday, October 7 at 5:00 pm to the Memorial Garden for a prayer and a blessing.

Choirs for Adults and Children are a wonderful way to offer your time and voice to God and our Christian community, and to get to know others in our parish. Rehearsals are on Thursdays – Junior Choir at 5:15 pm and Adult Choir at 7:30 pm in the Choir Room in the Undercroft. Anyone who enjoys singing is welcome and wanted! For more information, speak to Alison Siener Brown.

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Good Scout Award Dinner--one of this year’s honorees is our own Carol Prasa for her work on LHT’s Historic Preservation Advisory Committee. Congratulations Carol! The dinner is on Oct. 2, 6:30 pm At the Primavera in Stirling. It is an annual event of Patriot’s Path Boy Scout Council. For information and tickets, see their website: www.ppcbsa.org/special-events.

Musikgarten: Early Childhood Music Classes – for babies & toddlers; preschoolers; and young elementary group piano lessons. Taught here at All Saints’ by our director of Music Alison Siener Brown, under the auspices of Music in the Somerset Hills. Classes star the first week in October. For information speak to Alison or check the website http://musicsh.org/musikgarten/.

PARISH LIFE
Save the Date – Nov. 17 for Grateful Gathering: Murder Mystery Dinner Night! This is an event for adults and youth in middle school and older. Table teams will work together to solve the mystery of a murder drama titled: Thou Shalt Not Kill. Laurie Gaulke is our organizer, and she needs help: seven people to play roles, folks to set up and decorate the Parish Hall, and other to organize appetizers and desserts (the entrée will be catered). There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex to volunteer. More information to come.

ALL SAINTS’ PRIDE 
Get your All Saints’ Shirts! Red polo shirts (short or long sleeve) with our name and the Episcopal shield are available for purchase. Cost is $26 or $30. Wear them for parish events, Rummage Sale, whenever you want to send a simple message about our parish! Order forms are in the display in the Narthex.

PARISH CALENDAR
9/23     Last day to donate to Rummage
9/26     Bible Study                                 Rath House, 10:15 am
9/27     Eucharist & Healing Prayer        Church, 7:00 am
            Junior Choir                                Choir Room, 5:15 pm
            Adult Choir                                 Choir Room, 7:30 pm
9/29     RUMMAGE SALE!                       9am-2pm
For a full schedule of our buildings check the website calendar www.allsaintsmillington.org.

CHRISTIAN PRACTICES
For All the Saints: St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, Sept. 21
“Matthew, one of Jesus’ disciples, is probably to be identified with Levi, a tax collector (“publican”) mentioned by Mark and Luke. In the Gospel according to Matthew, it is said that Matthew was seated in the custom-house when Jesus bade him, “Follow me.” When Jesus called him, he at once left everything, followed the Master, and later gave a dinner for him. Mark and Luke also note that Levi was a tax collector. In all three accounts, Jesus is severely criticized for eating at the same table with tax collectors and other disreputable persons.

Tax collectors were viewed as collaborators with the Roman State, extortioners who took money from their own people to further the cause of Rome and to line their own pockets. They were spurned as traitors and outcasts. The Jews so abhorred them that pious Pharisees refused to marry into a family that had a publican as a member.Clearly, Matthew was hardly the type of man that a devout Jew would have had among his closest associates. Yet Jesus noted that it was the publican rather than the proud Pharisee who prayed the acceptable prayer, “Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner.” There are several favorable references to publicans in the sayings of Jesus in the Gospel according to Matthew.

Matthew was called early in Jesus’ ministry, but whether he wrote the Gospel that bears his name is seriously doubted by scholars. It is, however, more generally accepted that his “logia” or “sayings of Jesus” have probably been included in that Gospel. It may be that the author of the First Gospel took from Matthew’s work some of the numerous parables and comments that make that Gospel so popular a source for homilies and teaching. Through this Gospel, especially, Jesus speaks not only of faith and eternal life, but of duties toward one’s neighbors, family, and even enemies.

Tradition has it that Matthew, having converted many persons to Christianity in Judea, traveled to the East; but there is no certain evidence for this. He has been venerated as a martyr, but the time and circumstances of his death are unknown.” ~ Lesser Feasts and Fasts, 2018 (The photo above is "The Calling of Matthew" by Caravaggio)

And here is a link to the final chorus of J.S. Bach’s “St. Matthew Passion”, performed by a Swedish choir and orchestra: https://youtu.be/-miQ6_FTtN0

Coffee Hour Conversation Starter At coffee hour on Sunday, ask someone: How has God surprised you this week? Listen to the other person’s answers, and then share yours.

Blessings, Vicki+

Dear Friends in Christ,
Please keep in your prayers all those who are in the path of Hurricane Florence, and all those first responders who stand by to assist. “Almighty God, who calmed the storm tossing the boat, calm the fears that beset us; as we await Hurricane Florence:  Grant us the peace that comes from you alone as we sit with the uncertainty of evacuation and in fear of damage to our homes and our communities, draw us ever closer to you, and give us the grace to comfort and aid others in need; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.” (prayer by the Rev. Canon Frank Logue of Georgia).

Here are the week’s announcements. In particular please see:   

• Welcome Sunday Picnic (Parish Life)
• Rummage Collection this Week (Fun & Fundraising)
• Adult Forum:  Way of Love (Christian Formation)
• Choirs for Adults and Children (Worship)
• Narnia Book Club (Christian Formation)

CHRISTIAN FORMATION & SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
The Way of Love: Adult Forum - This Sunday, Sept. 16 at 11:30 am in the lower room of the Parish House. Mother Vicki will present an overview of the “practices for a Jesus-centered life” and ways you can use them for yourself. Get coffee or tea, join the circle and conversation.

Sunday School for children PreK through middle school. Classes meet in the Undercroft (lower level of the church.) Kids go to Sunday School first, then join their families at the Peace. Children and babies are always welcome in worship, but we also have a staffed nursery in the Undercroft of the Church for parents who prefer this option.

We welcome our nursery babysitters Kayla Martins and Angie Carrano! They will be sharing the duties every other week. Stop down to the nursery to welcome them to All Saints’.

Bible Study starts Wed., Sept 12 at 10:15 am in the Rath House (stone and stucco house next to church). We are reading the Gospel of Mark, the second half of Chapter 1 this week. No experience is needed or expected, only a desire to learn, ask questions, laugh, and grow with others. Questions? Speak to Mother Vicki.

Narnia Book Club Comes to All Saints’ Oct. 7: Bring your imagination, creativity, and curiosity to faith in Jesus as a child, an adult, or a family in this home-based effort. We’ll read C.S. Lewis’ book The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and have opportunities for conversation and activities.  Pick up a brochure with full information, and copies of the book are available for $5—both are in our Narnia Corner at the rear of the church!

FUN & FUNDRAISING
We are on the home stretch of Rummage Collection. Our last collection day is next Sunday, Sept. 23. Sale Day is Saturday, September 29 from 9 am-2 pm.
Rummage Sale collection this week:
Sunday–noon-2 pm; Monday–10am-2 pm;
Tuesday–6-8 pm and Thursday–10 am-2 pm; and 6:30-8 pm.
Please bring your clean, working items. And tell your friends and neighbors. We appreciate any time you can lend to price, sort, and box donations, and especially your help on the day of the sale. Check the poster in the narthex to see how you can help. Questions? Speak to Kimberly Celeste.

WORSHIP
Blessing of the Animals is in honor of St. Francis. Bring your leashed or caged pet on Sunday, October 7 at 5:00 pm to the Memorial Garden for a prayer and a blessing.

Choirs for Adults and Children are a wonderful way to offer your time and voice to God and our Christian community, and to get to know others in our parish. Rehearsals are on Thursdays – Junior Choir at 5:15 pm and Adult Choir at 7:30 pm in the Choir Room in the Undercroft. Anyone who enjoys singing is welcome and wanted! For more information, speak to Alison Siener Brown.

ALL SAINTS' PRIDE
Get your All Saints’ Shirts! Red polo shirts (short or long sleeve) with our name and the Episcopal shield are available for purchase. Cost is $26 or $30. Wear them for parish events, Rummage Sale, whenever you want to send a simple message about our parish! Order forms are in the display in the Narthex.

HELPING HANDS
Shop-Rite in Stirling partners with our food ministries in many ways. Here are two events at Shop-Rite that you can support which help to fight hunger: ·      

• 7th Annual Motorcyle Ride to Fight Hunger, Saturday, Sept. 15 at 11 am starting at Shop-Rite. Cost is $20. Mother Vicki will be there at the start of the ride to bless the bikes.  For more info and registration call Colleen at Shop-Rite: 908-604-2129.
• Help Bag Hunger, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 10-11 am. Be part of Shop-Rite’s annual fund-raising efforts for local food pantries. Bag groceries at a cashier station for one hour, and be a friendly face and voice. This is a contest with Shop-Rite stores in other communities. If the Stirling store wins, their cash prize will be donated to our food ministries. For more information about this, please speak to Jane Hayden.

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Good Scout Award Dinner--one of this year’s honorees is our own Carol Prasa for her work on LHT’s Historic Preservation Advisory Committee. Congratulations Carol! The dinner is on Oct. 2, 6:30 pm At the Primavera in Stirling. It is an annual event of Patriot’s Path Boy Scout Council. For information and tickets, see their website: www.ppcbsa.org/special-events.

Musikgarten: Early Childhood Music Classes – for babies & toddlers; preschoolers; and young elementary group piano lessons. Taught here at All Saints’ by our director of Music Alison Siener Brown, under the auspices of Music in the Somerset Hills. Classes star the first week in October. For information speak to Alison or check the website http://musicsh.org/musikgarten/.

DIOCESAN NEWS
Bishop’s Consecration next Saturday, September 22! The consecration will be at 11 am at NJPAC in Newark, and 27 folks from All Saints’ are going. Wear something red – like your All Saints’ polo shirt. Please keep Bishop-elect Carlye Hughes and our diocese in your prayers as we take this next step into God’s future.

PARISH CALENDAR
9/18     Vestry                                         Rath House, 7:30 pm
9/19     Bible Study                                 Rath House, 10:15 am
9/20     Eucharist & Healing Prayer       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
The Jesus Movement  – Our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry likes to say that we are “members of the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement.” What does that mean?

Here’s a description of the Episcopal church website:
What is the Jesus Movement?
The Jesus Movement is the ongoing community of people who center their lives on Jesus and following him into loving, liberating and life-giving relationship with God, each other and creation.
Together, we follow Jesus as we love God with our whole heart, soul and mind and love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:36-40), and restore each other and all of creation to unity with God in Christ (BCP, p. 855).
Jesus launched this movement when he welcomed the first disciples to follow his loving, liberating, life-giving Way. Today, we participate in his movement with our whole lives: our prayer, worship, teaching, preaching, gathering, healing, action, family, work, play and rest.

In all things, we seek to be loving, liberating and life-giving—just like the God who formed all things in love; liberates us all from prisons of mind, body and spirit; and gives life so we can participate in the resurrection and healing of God’s world.

TRY THIS: Begin your day by asking: How could my words, actions and heart reflect the loving, liberating, life-giving way of Jesus? Ask God to help you, especially at decision points.
At day’s end, with genuine curiosity and zero judgment, ask: When did I see myself or others being loving, liberating or life-giving today? Where do I wish I’d seen or practiced Jesus’ Way?

And here is a link to a short video with Bishop Burry speaking about the Jesus Movement: https://www.episcopalchurch.org/jesus-movement

Coffee Hour Conversation Starter
At coffee hour on Sunday, ask someone:
When you think of Jesus,what three words come to mind? Why did you choose those words?          
Listen to the other person’s answers, and then share yours.

Blessings, Vicki+

Dear Friends in Christ,
The fall program year begins this Sunday, September 9: Welcome Sunday picnic, Adult Choir at 10 am, Sunday School and Nursery Care. All the details are below. Please take a look at the e-letter, and I hope to see you all this Sunday or the next!



Here are the week’s announcements. In particular please see:

• Welcome Sunday Picnic (Parish Life)
• Rummage Collection this Week (Fun & Fundraising)
• Sunday School, Bible Study, Way of Love for Families (Christian Formation)
• Choirs for Adults and Children (Worship)
• Blessing of the Backpacks (Worship)

PARISH LIFE
Welcome Sunday Picnic, This Sunday, Sept. 9 at 11:15 am. Come greet your fellow Saints after the summer; invite a friend! We’ll provide hot dogs, rolls, and soft drinks. You bring a salad, side dish, or dessert. Looking forward to seeing you there!

WORSHIP
Blessing of the Backpacks: this Sunday. Sept. 9, at the 10 am service . As the new school year starts, bring your backpack (or briefcase!) to church to be blessed, and to receive a backpack prayer tag!

Choirs for Adults and Children are a wonderful way to offer your time and voice to God and our Christian community, and to get to know others in our parish. Rehearsals are on Thursdays – Junior Choir at 5:15 pm and Adult Choir at 7:30 pm in the Choir Room in the Undercroft. Anyone who enjoys singing is welcome and wanted! For more information, speak to Alison Siener Brown.

Mid-Week Worship – a simple service of Communion and Healing Prayer on Thursdays at 7 am, starting Sept. 6. A light breakfast is available afterwards
.
CHRISTIAN FORMATION & SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
Sunday School begins Sunday, Sept. 9 for children PreK through middle school. Classes meet in the Undercroft (lower level of the church.) Kids go to Sunday School first, then join their families at the Peace. Children and babies are always welcome in worship, but we also have a staffed nursery in the Undercroft of the Church for parents who prefer this option.

Bible Study starts Wed., Sept 12 at 10:15 am in the Rath House (stone and stucco house next to church). We will be reading and discussing the Gospel of Mark. This is a great way to start Bible reading – the shortest version of Jesus’ life and teaching. No experience is needed or expected, only a desire to learn, ask questions, laugh, and grow with others. Questions? Speak to Mother Vicki.

Narnia Book Club Comes to All Saints’ Oct. 7: Bring your imagination, creativity, and curiosity to faith in Jesus as a child, an adult, or a family in this home-based effort. We’ll read C.S. Lewis’ book The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and have opportunities for conversation and activities.  Pick up a brochure with full information, and a copies of the book are available for $5—both are in our Narnia Corner at the rear of the church!

The Way of Love: Adult Forum
Next week, Sunday, Sept. 16 at 11:30 am in the lower room of the Parish House. Mother Vicki will present an overview of the “practices for a Jesus-centered life” and ways you can use them for yourself. Get coffee or tea, join the circle and conversation.

FUN & FUNDRAISING
Rummage Sale collection this week:
Sunday–noon-2 pm; Monday–10am-2pm; Tuesday–6-8 pm (during the day, call the office to make sure someone is here); Thursday–10 am-2 pm and 6:30-8 pm. Please bring your clean, working items. And tell your friends and neighbors. We can still use more rummage! We can still use more volunteers to for sort, price, as well as working on the sale day! Check the poster in the narthex to see how you can help.Questions? Speak to Kimberly Celeste.

STEWARDSHIP
Reminder from the Finance Committee – Over the summer while you have been traveling and on vacation, our regular parish expenses have continued, and our cash flow has dipped a bit, as it does every summer. Please make sure your financial contributions are up-to-date. If you have a question about your donation, please speak with Barbara Barbeau. All of your support is needed and appreciated. Thank you.

ALL SAINTS’ PRIDE 
Get your All Saints’ Shirts! Red polo shirts (short or long sleeve) with our name and the Episcopal shield are available for purchase. Cost is $26 or $30. Wear them for parish events, Rummage Sale, whenever you want to send a simple message about our parish! Order forms are in the display in the Narthex.

HELPING HANDS
Shop-Rite in Stirling partners with our food ministries in many ways. Here are two events at Shop-Rite that you can support which help to fight hunger:

• 7th Annual Motorcyle Ride to Fight Hunger, Saturday, Sept. 15 at 11 am starting at Shop-Rite. Cost is $20. Mother Vicki will be there at the start of the ride to bless the bikes.  For more info and registration call Colleen at Shop-Rite: 908-604-2129.
• Help Bag Hunger, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 10-11 am. Be part of Shop-Rite’s annual fund-raising efforts for local food pantries. Bag groceries at a cashier station for one hour, and be a friendly face and voice. This is a contest with Shop-Rite stores in other communities. If the Stirling store wins, their cash prize will be donated to our food ministries. For more information about this, please speak to Jane Hayden.

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Musikgarten: Early Childhood Music Classes – for babies & toddlers; preschoolers; and young elementary group piano lessons. Taught here at All Saints’ by our director of Music Alison Siener Brown, under the auspices of Music in the Somerset Hills. Classes star the first week in October. For information speak to Alison or check the website http://musicsh.org/musikgarten/.

DIOCESAN NEWS
Bishop-elect Carlye Hughes’ consecration and celebration on Sept. 22 at NJPAC are in place and we are all invited. If you are still interested in attending but have not yet registered, there may still be individual seats available by registering here: https://dioceseofnewark.org/form/consecration-tickets-general-public. And for a good article on what happens at the consecration of a bishop in the Episcopal Church, look here: https://dioceseofnewark.org/content/celebrating-consecration-episcopal-bishop

PARISH CALENDAR
9/11  Finance Committee                  Rath House, 7:30 pm
9/12  Bible Study                                 Rath House, 10:15 am
9/13  Eucharist & Healing Prayer    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
Welcoming  – Hospitality is a very important part of traditional cultures, including the ancient Jewish and Christian cultures of the Bible. Hospitality is not about serving a lavish meal or hosting a perfect social event.  True Christian hospitality is about inviting others – particularly strangers – to share your time, your attention, your space, your meal, your prayer. It’s about making room to be able to receive whatever gift of wisdom, presence, truth, or story the guest offers. It’s about seeing and being seen as Jesus sees us, and drawing refreshment from that.

As we start this new program year on Welcome Sunday, we have an opportunity to practice welcoming and hospitality. When we meet after church be aware of someone else you may not know, or you know only by sight. He or she may be new, or visiting, or just not able to get to church often. Please introduce yourself. Ask them to tell you something they enjoyed about the day’s worship. And try to ask several different people the following conversation question: When you are new in a place or group of people, what makes you feel welcomed and included? Ask someone this question, listen for their answer, then share your answer with them.

And following up from last week’s post about listening, here is a link to a podcast about listening to God in the Psalms. Radio journalist Krista Tippett interviews author and pastor Eugene Peterson on her show “On Being.” The segment is called “The Bible, Poetry, and Active Imagination.”Peterson is the translator of The Message version of the Bible, as well as the author of many books. In his 80s, he has much wisdom about being honest with God, and about ways to pray. Take a listen! https://onbeing.org/programs/eugene-peterson-the-bible-poetry-and-active-imagination-aug2018/

Blessings, Vicki+