Dear Friends in Christ,
Here are the announcements for the week.

Prayer List/Prayer Chain - it is our privilege to pray for the concerns of our parishioners, our community, and those who ask us for prayer. Those on our parish Prayer List are prayed for daily by name at our on-line Compline service. We also pray for those most recent or pressing requests in our Sunday service. To add someone to the prayer List, please send an e-mail to Mother Vicki allsaints_rector@hotmail.com. Our Prayer Chain is a group of parishioners who exercise a ministry of intercessory prayer on an emergency basis when needed. Kathy Bousquet is our Prayer Chain leader. If you have an immediate request or would like to be part of the Prayer Chain, please contact Kathy. 

Statements of Contribution for 2020 were mailed to you via US Postal Service on Friday. Please look your statements over. If you have a question, or did not receive one, please e-mail allsaints_stewardship@hotmail.com. Thank you for all your support in 2020 - every donation was crucial!

Vestry meeting this week on Tuesday, Jan. 19 at 7:15 pm on Zoom.

Bible Study is on Wednesdays at 10:15 am. Our current study Ephesians in the New Testament. This week we will read and discuss Ch.2:11-Ch.3. To participate in this Zoom class, or if you have questions, please e-mail Mother Vicki at allsaints_rector@hotmail.com.  

“Office Angels” (our office volunteers in non-COVID times) meet for conversation and fellowship on Thursday mornings at 11 am on Zoom. We’d love to have you join the conversation. Email Parish Administrator Susie Harris for the link: allsaints_church@hotmail.com 

Adult Choir is on Thursdays at 7:30 pm - check-in, fellowship, and learning music for our next virtual choir anthem project. Even in these virtual circumstances we welcome anyone who loves to sing! Contact Alison Siener Brown asienerbrown@gmail.com for the Zoom credentials. 

Pledging for 2021 - You can use our new on-line pledge form on our website www.allsaintsmillington.org. You can also fulfill your pledge by setting up auto-pay with your bank or by electronic fund transfer (EFT) through the secure giving portal on our website. If you are interested in making a gift of appreciated stock, please call David Thursfield.
Until we can have the safe and full use of our buildings for both worship and building use rental our parish income will be challenging, so your timely, heartfelt and generous support will be essential. You can also use our “virtual offering plate” - the heart and cross icon on the homepage of our website - for on-line giving. Thank you!

The Parish Office is generally staffed Mondays and Thursdays but with limited contact for the public. Please call ahead if you need to do in-person parish business.
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Christian Practices: The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
This is an ecumenical Christian effort that was established in 1908. It starts on January 18 (The Feast of the Confession of St. Peter) and ends on January 25 (The Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul). This week was chosen because Peter’s apostolic ministry was primarily to Jews, although he also embraced the inclusion of Gentiles; and Paul’s apostolic ministry was to Gentiles, after he had been called from his fierce defense of Judaism.

The purpose of the week is to reflect the words of John 17:21, “they may be one so that the world may believe”. While all of the various Christian bodies have differences of practice and variations of belief, we are all united by faith, prayer, and baptism in Christ. The more we can be united in our practice of following Christ, the stronger our witness to the world will be.

In the United States this year, this Week of Prayer falls at a very appropriate moment. Monday is not only the Confession of Peter, but it is also the day we set aside to mark and honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, jr. On Wednesday we will inaugurate our 46th President Joseph R. Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris.

Dr. King’s vision of the Beloved Community where all people are valued, respected, and drawn together in peace by their common humanity has its roots in the Christian idea of the Body of Christ. Our secular American values of equity of opportunity and equality before the law, commitment to the common good of our neighbors and communities, and the flourishing of every individual embrace very similar ideas.

While we pray for unity in the Body of Christ this week, let us also pray for the peace, safety, and well-being of all in our country.
Blessings, Vicki+

Dear Friends in Christ,
Here are the announcements and the links for Sunday’s worship.

• First Sunday after Epiphany Worship & Renewal of Vows (scroll to next section)
• Bible Study
• Chalk Blessing Kits
• Stewardship
• Choir

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Sunday Worship – First Sunday after the Epiphany: Baptism of our Lord, January 10th –10 am
Service of the Word and Renewal of Baptismal Vows, followed by Coffee Hour. Please have a small bowl of water near you to use during the service. The service leaflet is on the home page. Please e-mail allstsmill@hotmail.com for the Zoom credentials.

And if you have not yet seen the Epiphany worship video, you can watch it here on YouTube: https://youtu.be/KD5c7JNeAYk
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Finance Committee meets Tuesday, January 12 at 7:15 pm on Zoom.

Chalk Blessing Kits for Epiphany are available to be picked up in the Bell Tower of the Church, including instructions. Bless your house and all who come and go to it in this New Year.

Bible Study is on Wednesdays at 10:15 am. We are starting a new series for the next five weeks, the Epistle to the Ephesians in the New Testament. This week we will read and discuss Chapters 1 and 2:1-10. If you have been thinking about starting Bible study in the New Year, this is a great way to start! No experience is needed. You don’t even have to have a Bible because we’ll send you the reading ahead of time. To participate in this Zoom class, or if you have questions, please e-mail Mother Vicki at allsaints_rector@hotmail.com.  

“Office Angels” (our office volunteers in non-COVID times) meet for conversation and fellowship on Thursday mornings at 11 am on Zoom. We’d love to have you join the conversation. Email Parish Administrator Susie Harris for the link: allsaints_church@hotmail.com 

Adult Choir resumes this Thursday at 7:30 pm - check-in, fellowship, and learning music for our next virtual choir anthem project. Even in these virtual circumstances we welcome anyone who loves to sing! Contact Alison Siener Brown asienerbrown@gmail.com for the Zoom credentials. 

Thank you to everyone who made a pledge for 2021. If you have not yet done so, please be in touch with Mother Vicki. You can use our new on-line pledge form on our website www.allsaintsmillington.org, or you can simply send an e-mail with your pledge commitment to allsaints_church@hotmail.com. You can also fulfill your pledge by setting up auto-pay with your bank or by setting up one-time or recurring electronic fund transfer (EFT) through the secure giving portal on our website. We are also able to receive gifts of appreciated stock as pledge payment. If you are interested in that please call David Thursfield.
Until we can have the safe and full use of our buildings for both worship and building use rental our parish income will be challenging, so your timely, heartfelt and generous support will be essential. Thank you!

The Parish Office is generally staffed Mondays and Thursdays but with limited contact for the public. Please call ahead if you need to do in-person parish business.
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Baptismal Covenant Promise - 3
Presider         Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
People             I will, with God’s help.

As we prepare to renew our baptismal vows this coming Sunday, consider the question and answer above.

This promise is about letting other people know – through your words and actions – the saving love of God, how God has made a difference in your life.

This is one of those vows that makes some people a little skittish, because we often don’t want to come across in a preachy or judgmental way; at least, that’s what we tell ourselves. We certainly don’t want to make ourselves or another person feel uncomfortable.

But maybe the reason we have trouble with this part of our covenant is that we are not sure we have the words to talk about what difference our faith has made in our lives. We are not confident that we have anything to offer to another person.

And yet, we are more than happy to share other kinds of good news: a new job, the birth of a baby, recovery from surgery. We know how to share the right amount of detail, and the level of feeling in how we share that news.

When it comes to faith, what we are being asked to share is that part of our experience in following Jesus that gives us hope, or peace, or joy, our quiet confidence. You don’t have to stand on a street corner to do this, or ring door bells. But when you have a friend or family member who is struggling or confused or hurting you can say what has been true for you. Give them the option to seek hope with God; offer to pray for them or with them. If they don’t respond, it takes nothing away from your faith and you may have planted a seed that God will water and grow later.

Our actions, too, can proclaim the Gospel when we act in ways that are consistent with Jesus’ teaching and character.
And we can begin each day by asking God to use you to be a blessing and a messenger of Good News and God’s love to another.

Blessings, Vicki+

 


 
 

Advent 2020: The Light in the darkness
December 18
O Adonai, and Leader of the house of Israel, who appearest in the bush to Moses in a flame of fire, and gavest him the Law in Sinai: Come and deliver us with an outstretched arm.

Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be known, worshiped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen
~ Collect for Second Sunday after Epiphany

O Adonai, and Leader of the house of Israel, who appearest in the bush to Moses in a flame of fire, and gavest him the Law in Sinai: Come and deliver us with an outstretched arm.
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Dear Friends in Christ,
Here are the announcements and the links for Sunday’s worship. There is a lot here, so please take some time to read through the different items.

• Sunday Worship (scroll all the way down)
• Nativity Scene/Crèche Photos Request
• Christmas Music Memorials and Donations
• Stewardship Witness: Using Your Gifts to Help Others video
• Bible Study
• Rummage Shoppe Thank You
• Year-end Pledge Payments
• Christmas Worship Schedule

Nativity Scene/Crèche Photos Request - during the Twelve Days of Christmas (Dec. 25-Jan. 5) we’ll share photos of different nativity scenes from All Saints’ parishioners, one each day. Please send a photo of your creche at home, including a short description or story about it, and we will share it with the parish family via e-mail during Christmas season. We’ve already received some lovely ones. Please send your photos to allsaints_rector@hotmail.com. Thank you!

Christmas Music Memorials and Donations – Our music at Christmas is always augmented by some professionals (two singers, a violinist). And this year when we cannot gather in person our Choirs and Director of Music have been working especially hard to make their offering and support for our worship meaningful, prayerful, and beautiful in a fully recorded and produced service of music and readings. To make a donation to support the Christmas music in memory or honor of a loved one use the new on-line giving portal (see below) or use the music envelope that was mailed to you with the Christmas letter. The names of those being remembered or honored will be included in our on-line bulletin. We need the names by Monday, 12/21. You can e-mail those names to Parish Administrator Susie Harris at allsaints_church@hotmail.com.
General Christmas donations may also be contributed on-line or by envelope. Thank you for your support of All Saints’ and of our Music Ministry at Christmas time!

Stewardship Witness - Using Your Gifts to Serve Others/Finding a Way to Help: an Interview with a High School Senior – last spring 17 year-old Johannes Wellerding began an outreach ministry to create much needed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for area medical and long-term care facility staff during the pandemic. He created this PPE with his 3D printer. Listen to a conversation he recorded with his mother Leanna, about the way he has put God’s gifts to work to help others – and be inspired! Thank you, Johannes. The video is here on our Giving page http://www.allsaintsmillington.org/giving.html

Bible Study this week is on Wed., Dec. 23 at 10:15 am. We are looking at the Old Testament readings for the four Sundays of Advent.This week is 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16. To participate in this Zoom class please e-mail Mother Vicki at allsaints_rector@hotmail.com.  

All Saints’ Rummage Shoppe – Thank you to all our wonderful Rummage workers and to Kimberly Celeste for her leadership in this fund-raising effort. We raised $5100+ for All Saints’ mission and ministries! happen in such a unique way!
Stewardship: Year-end Giving Deadline – all pledge payments and donations for 2020 need to be received in the Parish Office by Monday 12/28 in order for us to credit you with a 2020 donation. You mail use the USPS, drop it off to the Rath House, or use our on-line Giving Portal https://secure.myvanco.com/YH4J/home. And if you have not yet made a pledge commitment for 2021 you can do that here: http://www.allsaintsmillington.org/giving.html Your support is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Christmas Worship at All Saints’ Church
Christmas Eve, December 24
3:00 pm, Christmas Readings & Music (pre-recorded video)
Readings for Christmas from Isaiah and the Gospels, prayers, a reflection, Christmas carols and anthems for virtual choir, soloists, handbells, organ, and violin. Filmed in All Saints’ Church.
The video link will be sent by e-mail. The video will also be posted on our website www.allsaintsmillington.org and our YouTube channel “All Saints’ Millington” https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBI9S_Mlh0hJfgvVAPvvKeQ 
It may be watched at any convenient time or day after 3:00 pm on Christmas Eve.

4:00 pm, Christmas Worship on Facebook Live (live-streamed)
The Christmas story, prayers, a message, a song, the Peace Light, a blessing.
This 25-minute service is family-friendly and will be broadcast from the Church on Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/allsaintsmillington/.
You don’t need a Facebook account to watch this service.

Christmas Day, December 25
10:00 am, Christmas Reflection & Prayers (live-streamed)
A simple service of Scripture, reflection, and prayers for Christmas Day on Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/allsaintsmillington/.
You don’t need a Facebook account to watch this service.

First Sunday after Christmas, December 27
10 am, Christmas Pageant and Carols (live on Zoom)
An intergenerational Nativity Pageant - a new incarnation of our beloved tradition, written by Alison Siener Brown, specifically for Zoom format, pre-recorded and shared live on Zoom, as part of our Sunday worship, along with prayers and Christmas carols.
The log-in credentials and link for Zoom will be e-mailed to you.
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Sunday Worship – Advent 4, December 20th –10 am
10 am Service of the Word on Zoom, followed by Coffee Hour. The bulletin is on our home page. You may request the Zoom link by e-mailing allstsmill@hotmail.com.
Blessings, Vicki+
 


 
 

Dear Friends in Christ,
I have some very sad news to share today. Bonnie Stocker McGrath, a long-time All Saints’ parishioner, died overnight from complications of a recurrence of her cancer. Bonnie had many ministries at All Saints’ over the years: Choir member, Counters & Tellers, Finance Committee, Vestry – including serving as Warden when I was called to All Saints’, member of the Altar Guild, in retirement she became one of our Office Angels volunteers, and one of our core Rummage Sale organizers. As late as this summer and fall Bonnie lent her prodigious planning skills and enthusiasm to finding a way to make our Rummage Shoppe happen.

Bonnie died at home and her husband Frank and son Patrick were able to spend time with her and care for her. Her funeral will be scheduled for some time in the spring when it will be safer for us to gather. In the meantime, cards and letters to Frank and Patrick at home are very welcome. If you would like to make a personal expression of your grief, you may wish to place an arrangement of winter greenery in the Church Memorial Garden – on or near the altar.

We are so grateful for all that Bonnie gave to all of us, and the joy she shared with others. In our grief let us remember Bonnie’s faithful confidence in God, and keep Frank, Patrick, and one another in prayer. ~ VGM+
May Bonnie rest in the Peace of Christ and rise in the Glory of God.

Here are the announcements, and links for Sunday’s worship. There is a lot here, so please take some time to read through the different items.

• Sunday Worship (scroll all the way down)
• Adopt-a-Family Outreach: Last Call
• Christmas Worship: Updates from Bishop Hughes
• Christmas Music Memorials and Donations
• Angel Photos: Last Call
• Grief, Loss & Christmas: a Conversation
• Annual Pledge Campaign
• Rummage Shoppe
• Bible Study
• Christian Practices: Sacrifice

Adopt-a-Family: Last Call – our Christmas outreach through Elizabeth Social Services. Gift cards for groceries at Target, Walmart, or ShopRite. Also, small toys for children ages 4-8 (boy or girl). All donations need to be delivered to All Saints’ by 12/12. Here are the details: 1) buy a gift card for $25 for Target, Walmart, or ShopRite. Put it in an envelope marked “Gift”; you don’t need to know the person to whom it is going, nor do we have a list to match it to. 2) if you purchase a toy don’t wrap or label it. 3) Drop all gift envelopes in the green basket on the bog table in the Narthex; leave all toys under the table – by 12/12. Jackie Sullivan will collect all the donations and transport them to the Social Services office. Thank you for helping with this great need at this very difficult time.

Angel Photos: Last Call - Alison Siener Brown is still looking for photos of angels (ornaments, decorations, pictures, etc.) that you have at your house. She will use these photos as part of the slide show for “Angels we have heard on high” in our Christmas Eve video. Please send the to Alison by Monday, 12/13, asienerbrown@gmail.com. Thank you!

Christmas Music Memorials and Donations – Our music at Christmas is always augmented by some professionals (two singers, a violinist). To make a donation to support the Christmas music in memory or honor of a loved one use the new on-line giving portal (see below) or use the music envelope that will be coming next week with the Christmas letter. The names of those being remembered or honored will be included in our on-line bulletin. General Christmas donations may also be contributed on-line or by envelope. Thank you for your support of All Saints’ and of our Music Ministry at Christmas time.

Christmas Worship: Update from Bishop Hughes – as of this coming Monday, 12/14, Bishop Hughes has updated guidelines regarding worship for churches in our Diocese. No parish may have any in-person worship, whether outdoors or indoors, due to the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases and the shrinking capacity of our hospital and health care system. Broadcasting/live-streaming worship from the Church can still happen with the people immediately needed to do that (10 people or less).
What does this mean for All Saints’, given that we just sent out our Christmas worship plans via letter? Please see the detail below:

• Christmas Eve, 4:00 pm – No in-person gathering. We will have a short time of prayer and reading of the Christmas story on Facebook Live broadcast from the from outside the front of the Church
• Christmas Eve, 6:00 pm or later – A fully produced, pre-recorded service of readings, Christmas carols, virtual anthems, vocal and instrumental soloists, handbells, prayers, and sermon. This will be filmed in All Saints’ and can be watched at home any time on Christmas Eve after 6:00 pm or Christmas Day. Our readers, choirs, and musicians have been hard at work to get this service recorded. Even though we will not be together in-person, we are together in Spirit, and in love for God, for All Saints’, and for one another.
• Christmas Morning, 10:00 am – Christmas Reflection, Scripture and Prayers on Facebook Live.
• Christmas Pageant – December 27 at 10:00 am worship on Zoom. This will be a new incarnation of our beloved tradition – written by Alison Siener Brown, specifically for Zoom format, and inter-generational (kids and adults). This will be pre-recorded and shared at the service. It will be available to share with friends and family after that.

Grief, Loss & Christmas: a Conversation – Monday, December 14 at 7:30 pm via Zoom. This has been an incredibly difficult year. We have all lost much – whether it be a loved one who has died, a job loss, a health crisis, children’s schooling, isolation from family and friends, our usual way of being Church, the expectation of normal joyful gatherings for holidays and birthdays. And Christmas more than any other time is a magnet for all those painful, difficult feelings and disappointments. Mother Vicki is offering this time of conversation as a place to talk – or just sit with – those feelings and thoughts with others, and yet look forward with hope. We will begin and end the conversation with prayer, knowing that God is hearing and holding us. Even though Zoom is not an ideal platform, it is one way we can gather and share. Please e-mail allstsmill@hotmail.com for the link.

All Saints’ Rummage Shoppe – our Shoppe finished today, December 11. Thank you to Kimberly Celeste and all the Rummage folk for making this fund-raiser happen in such a unique way!

Stewardship: New On-Line Giving Portal – The company who processes all our on-line donations and pledge payments, Vanco, has redesigned the donation portal, making it much clearer, simpler, and attractive. You can get to it by clicking the “Giving” button on our home page. Or you can follow this link. https://secure.myvanco.com/YH4J/home

Annual Pledge Campaign – Thank you to everyone who has returned a pledge commitment for 2021. We know that this has been an exceeding difficult and chaotic year, and we appreciate whatever support you are able to offer to God’s work here at All Saints’. It is your prayer and your pledge of financial support that makes the ministry and mission of All Saints’ happen. We know that we still have some challenging months ahead of us, and so we need everyone to participate.

You may make a pledge either by returning the hard-copy form that was mailed to you or by using the on-line pledge form on our website. http://www.allsaintsmillington.org/giving.html. If you have a question about pledging, or about the status of your current 2020 pledge, please send an e-mail to allstsmill@hotmail.com. Thank you for your support!

Bible Study this week is on Wed., Dec. 16 at 10:15 am. We are looking at the Old Testament readings for the four Sundays of Advent. This week is Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11. To participate in this Zoom class please e-mail Mother Vicki at allsaints_rector@hotmail.com.  
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Sunday Worship – Advent 3, December 13th –10 am
10 am Service of the Word on Zoom, followed by Coffee Hour. Father Shawn Carty will be our preacher. The bulletin is on our home page. Please e-mail allstsmill@hotmail.com for the log-in information.

Christian Practices: Sacrifice
The word sacrifice means “to make holy”. We often speak of sacrifices that parents make on behalf of their children; or soldiers make on behalf of their country; or individuals make on behalf of a goal or cause. We make sacrifices for the good of another or for a longer-term outcome for which we are hoping.

We also talk about Jesus’ sacrifice of himself on the Cross for us. Jesus’ willing offering of himself on our behalf was an expression and an instrument of God’s love and care for us – even in the face of death. His sacrifice became the means to much larger life and peace and connection to God than we could have ever achieved on our own.

As we think about the sacrifices we are all making this Christmas, let us remember those in our Armed Services who spend Christmas away from their loved ones when they are on mission – a sacrifice for their country; or the doctors and nurses who spend holidays away from their families because they are caring for sick patients.

Our sacrifice of remaining at home and refraining from gathering for worship in-person is a sacrifice for others – others in our country, our community, our Church, and our family. In a small way this year our Christmas celebration will be connected to Christ’s own sacrifice of himself. What he has done for us we can, in a sense, do for others; thereby sharing the gift of life, and love, and light.

Blessings, Vicki+ 


 

Dear Friends in Christ,
Here are the announcements, and links for Sunday’s worship.

• Sunday Worship (scroll all the way down)
• Adopt-a-Family Outreach
• Christmas Worship
• Christmas Music Memorials and Donations
• Advent Posters
• Annual Pledge Campaign
• Rummage Shoppe
• Bible Study
• Parishioner News

 


Adopt-a-Family – our Christmas outreach through Elizabeth Social Services will be a bit different this year. The greatest need is for gift cards so that the families can buy groceries at Target, Walmart, or ShopRite. They are also asking for small toys for children ages 4-8 (boy or girl). In order to meet Social Services’ distribution schedule all donations need to be delivered to All Saints’ by 12/12. Here are the details: 1) buy a gift card for $25 for Target, Walmart, or ShopRite. Put it in an envelope marked “Gift”; you don’t need to know the person to whom it is going, nor do we have a list to match it to. 2) if you purchase a toy don’t wrap or label it. 3) All gift envelopes and toys need to be dropped off at the Church by 12/12. Please e-mail allstsmill@hotmail.com for details. Jackie Sullivan will collect all the donations and transport them to the Social Services office. Thank you for helping with this great need at this very difficult time.

Advent Calendar Posters were mailed home to all families with children. We have extras that are available for anyone who would like them. They are on the table in the Bell Tower of the Church.

Christmas Worship – this year’s Christmas services will be done very differently, due to the pandemic:

• Christmas Eve, 4:00 pm – outdoors in the parking lot. We will have a Christmas tree and congregational candles, read the Christmas Gospel, pray together, and have some pre-recorded Christmas music. The service will be 30 minutes long. Registration for the service is required, and everyone will be socially distanced.  The service will be weather-dependent; if it pours rain we will not hold the service.
• Christmas Eve, 6:00 pm or later – A fully produced, pre-recorded service of readings, Christmas carols, virtual anthems, vocal and instrumental soloists, handbells, prayers, and sermon. This will be filmed in All Saints’ and can be watched at home any time on Christmas Eve after 6:00 pm or Christmas Day. Our readers, choirs, and musicians have been hard at work to get this service recorded. Even though we will not be together in-person, we are together in Spirit, and in love for God, for All Saints’, and for one another.

Christmas Music Memorials and Donations – Our music at Christmas is always augmented by some professionals (two singers, a violinist). To make a donation to support the Christmas music in memory or honor of a loved one use the new on-line giving portal (see below) or use the music envelope that will be coming next week with the Christmas letter. The names of those being remembered or honored will be included in our on-line bulletin. General Christmas donations may also be contributed on-line or by envelope. Thank you for your support of All Saints’ and of our Music Ministry at Christmas time.

All Saints’ Rummage Shoppe – our Shoppe is in its last week of sales. December 11 is the last day. Reserve a 30-minute shopping slot here: https://reopen.church/r/bloP83YN. Tell a friend and remember to wear a mask!

Stewardship: New On-Line Giving Portal – The company who processes all our on-line donations and pledge payments, Vanco, has redesigned the donation portal, making it much clearer, simpler, and attractive. You can get to it by clicking the “Giving” button on our home page. Or you can follow this link. https://secure.myvanco.com/YH4J/home

Annual Pledge Campaign – Thank you to everyone who has returned a pledge commitment for 2021. At this point we still have about 40% of our regular pledgers that we haven’t heard from. We know that this has been an exceeding difficult and chaotic year, and we appreciate whatever support you are able to offer to God’s work here at All Saints’.

You may make a pledge either by returning the hard-copy form that was mailed to you or by using the on-line pledge form on our website. http://www.allsaintsmillington.org/giving.html

If you have a question about pledging, or about the status of your current 2020 pledge, please send an e-mail to allstsmill@hotmail.com.

It is your prayer and your pledge of financial support that makes the ministry and mission of All Saints’ happen. We know that we still have some challenging months ahead of us, and so we need everyone to participate. Thank you!

Bible Study this week is on Wed., Dec. 9 at 10:15 am. We are looking at the Old Testament readings for the four Sundays of Advent. This week is Isaiah 40:1-11. To participate in this Zoom class please e-mail Mother Vicki at allsaints_rector@hotmail.com.
  
Parishioner News – Congratulations to All Saints’ parishioner Carol Prasa. She was elected to the Watchung Hills Regional High School Board. Carol was in the first graduating class of WHRHS, and her three children are all alums of the school. Congratulations, Carol!
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Sunday Worship – Advent 2, December 6th –10 am
10 am Service of the Word on Zoom, followed by Coffee Hour. The bulletin is on our home page. Please e-mail allstsmill@hotmail.com for the Zoom log-in.

Christian Practices: Magnificat
Advent is all about waiting, Perhaps the Gospel figure most associated with Advent waiting is Mary, the mother of Jesus. She was told by the angel Gabriel that she would have a child, and that the child would be the Savior of the world and the Son of God. Imagine what that must have been like, to hear that news!

Not only did Mary have to wait nine months for the birth of Jesus, but then she waited for another thirty-three years to see how he turned out, and how God’s purposes unfolded.

When Mary first learned of her pregnancy she traveled to the hill country to stay with her older cousin Elizabeth, who was herself pregnant with the child who would become John the Baptist. There was an immediate spiritual energy between them, and Mary proclaimed the words we call the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55). She spoke of the hope of God’s power and faithfulness, even before she knew what Jesus’ life and ministry would be like. She praised God in the midst of her waiting.

The Magnificat is the canticle that we traditionally say at Evening Prayer (or sing at Evensong). In it, we can share in Mary’s waiting and praise – a good place to be in Advent.

The Song of Mary Magnificat
My soul doth magnify the Lord, *
    and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
For he hath regarded *
    the lowliness of his handmaiden.
For behold from henceforth *
    all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath magnified me, *
    and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him *
    throughout all generations.
He hath showed strength with his arm; *
    he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat, *
    and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things, *
    and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel, *
    as he promised to our forefathers,
    Abraham and his seed for ever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
    as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Blessings, Vicki+

Dear Friends in Christ,
Advent, our season of preparation for the coming of Christ begins tomorrow. As we are experiencing a rise in COVID cases and a limitation in our ability to gather with others in so many areas of life, we are also approaching the shortest and darkest days of the year. This may well make our spiritual and emotional preparations for Christmas more difficult than they have been in the past.

This year, more than ever, it is good to remember that the Gospel for Christmas Day is the passage often called “the Prologue to John”, John 1:1-14. John describes Jesus as the Light that is coming into the world and says, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”

Each day throughout Advent I will send a short meditation based on the theme of Christ as the Light in the darkness. I hope these meditations will offer you hope. A useful practice might also be to read the Prologue to John each day, perhaps at a different time and in a different place each day so that it become ingrained in your mind and heart.

I pray that this Advent may be filled with the Light of Christ for you and those you love. ~ VGM+

John 14:1-14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. ~ Authorized Version/KJV
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Here are the announcements, and information for Sunday’s worship.

• Sunday Worship
• Annual Pledge Campaign
• Rummage Shoppe
• Bible Study – New Topic for Advent
• Advent Wreathes

Sunday Worship – Advent 1, November 29th –10 am
10 am Service of the Word on Zoom, followed by Coffee Hour. The bulletin is linked to our home page. If you would like the Zoom link to attend, please e-mail allstsmill@hotmail.com. 

Bible Study this week is on Wed., Dec. 2 at 10:15 am. We are starting a new topic for Advent: the Old Testament readings for the Sundays of Advent which look forward to the birth of the Messiah. We’d love to have you and your friends participate in this Zoom class. For the link please e-mail Mother Vicki at allsaints_rector@hotmail.com.   

Thank you to Waring and Ben Webb and Matt Dalmedo for hanging the large wreath on the front of the Church yesterday, and to Stephanie Posella for putting the small wreathes on all our buildings last week. All Saints' now has its "Advent face" on!

All Saints’ Rummage Shoppe –Thank you to our Rummage volunteers and shoppers for our Black Friday sale (note: we now have our volunteers wearing N95 masks, as well as running our filtered ventilation).  The Rummage Shoppe will remain open until December 11, so time is limited! Reserve a 30-minute shopping slot here: https://reopen.church/r/bloP83YN. Monday and Thursday afternoon, Tuesday and Wednesday evening this week. Items are also being sold on-line here: https://www.facebook.com/AllSaintsRummageShoppe/.

Annual Pledge Campaign – Thank you to everyone who has returned a pledge commitment for 2021 so far, either by returning the hard-copy form or by using the on-line pledge form on our website. If you did not receive a pledge packet in the mail, or if you have a question on the status of your current 2020 pledge, please send an e-mail to allstsmill@hotmail.com. It is your prayer and your pledge of financial support that makes the ministry and mission of All Saints’ happen. We know that we still have some challenging months ahead of us, and so we need everyone to participate. Thank you!

Christian Practices: Advent Wreaths
We normally have an Advent wreath in church to mark the progression of the four weeks of preparation for the Feast of the Nativity (aka Christmas), but the practice actually began as a home devotion. By the Middle Ages Christians had adapted and “baptized” what had been a Norse and Germanic pre-Christian practice of decorating wreathes with lit candles to anticipate the winter solstice.

In our modern use of a Christian Advent wreath we have four candles: three blue or purple, and one pink (for Week 3). Sometimes there is also a white candle in the center, representing Christ. There are several different symbolic meanings for each candle: Week 1 – hope; or the hope of God’s People in the Hebrew Scriptures. Week 2 – peace; or the Old Testament prophets; Week 3 – joy; or John the Baptist. Week 4 – love; or Mary the mother of Jesus.

What is the best way to make an Advent wreath? If you have a metal or wooden ring cut some evergreens and weave them into the ring. If you don’t have a form like this, arrange four candles in holders on a tray and add greenery. Or you can simply cluster four candles together on a table or sideboard as a focal point for your devotions. The important thing is to take the time to remember to look forward with hope and eager longing for the coming of Christ.

Each Sunday at dinner light the appropriate number of candles and have a short time of prayer and reflection as we await the coming of Christ, the Light of the world, both in celebrating his birth at Bethlehem and in looking for is coming at the end of the age. A simple set of Advent wreath prayers for your use can be found on our home page.  A blessed Advent to you!

Blessings, Vicki+

Dear Friends in Christ,

This is the last Sunday of the Church year, and the Sunday before Thanksgiving. While our lives are so very different now than they were a year ago, I hope you are able to find ways to express your gratitude to God and to those you love best.

I am reminded that when the Pilgrims first celebrated a festival of thanks in 1621, it was because their community had survived a very hard first year, by the grace of God and with help from Massasoit, leader of the local Wampanoag people.

And while there were intermittent days of thanksgiving observed in America over the next three centuries, the date of a national celebration was not established until 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln issued his Thanksgiving Proclamation declaring the last Thursday of November to be a day of “solemn thanksgiving”. This came, of course, in the depths of the Civil War – one of the most painful and perilous periods of crisis in our American history.

Our ability to give thanks to God and be aware of our blessings – large and small – are not dependent on outward circumstance, but on the attitude of our hearts, and our willingness to see God’s presence with us. I wish you and those you love a blessed and grace-filled Thanksgiving. ~ VGM+
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Our worship this Sunday will be at 8 am in the Memorial Garden and at 10 am on Zoom. Links and details are below.

Important New Worship Information in Light of Covid-19 – We had hoped to be able to move our 8 am service into the Church, now that our UV sanitizing lights have been installed. However, the rates of infection and community spread of the virus have moved very quickly. All of New Jersey (with the exception of Salem County) is in the red zone for new cases, positivity and transmission rates, and hospital capacity. We know that post-Thanksgiving this will only become worse.

After consultation with our Wardens Roger Kosempel and Linda Kestler we have decided not to start anything new in-person for the foreseeable future. That means that the 8 am November 22 service will be held outdoors in the Memorial Garden. It will be the last 8 am service until the virus is under much better control.

This is disappointing news, but our priority is always to serve God and our neighbor in doing what is best for all in our church community and our civic community. Our 8 am congregation have been faithful and cheerful. Our main Sunday worship will continue on Zoom at 10 am. Please remember that it is also accessible as audio-only via a phone call from a landline.
We know that there are quite a number of parishioners for whom worship on Zoom at 10 am does not work. We will continue to post the recordings of the 10 am service to YouTube and on our parish website. We will, of course, also continue with Compline each night at 9:30 pm on the parish Facebook page, as well as having other events and services on-line.
Thank you for your faithfulness and prayerful understanding.

Here are the announcements and links for Sunday’s worship.

• Sunday Worship
• Annual Pledge Campaign
• Rummage Shoppe
• Bible Study – New Topic for Advent
• Thanksgiving Day
• Making Sacred Space

Sunday Worship – November 22nd – 8 & 10 am
8 am Service of the Word in-person in the Memorial Garden. Please register here: https://reopen.church/r/bloP83YN. Bring a folding chair and a copy of the bulletin (on the home page). Note – this will be the final Sunday 8 am service until further notice.
10 am Service of the Word on Zoom, followed by Coffee Hour. The bulletin is on the home page. To receive the Zoom log-in please e-mail allstsmill@hotmail.com.

Annual Pledge Campaign – Thank you to everyone who has returned a pledge commitment for 2021 so far, either by returning the hard-copy form or by using the on-line pledge form on our website.
Pledge packets were sent to you via US mail last week. They contain a brochure telling the story of All Saints’ during this pandemic time, as well as a letter from me, and a pledge form. Please read this material and make your pledge commitment for 2021. If you did not receive a pledge packet in the mail, or is you have a question on the status of your current 2020 pledge, please send an e-mail to allstsmill@hotmail.com.
It is your prayer and your pledge of financial support that makes the ministry and mission of All Saints’ happen. We know that we still have some challenging months ahead of us, and so we need everyone to participate. Thank you!

Thanksgiving Day – on Thanksgiving morning at 10 am Mother Vicki will lead a short service of reflection and prayer on Facebook Live. You’ll be able to offer your thanksgivings in real time. Remember, because our page is public you do not have to be “on Facebook” to participate or watch; just follow this link https://www.facebook.com/allsaintsmillington/.  Please make time to pause for worship on Thanksgiving Day.

All Saints’ Rummage Shoppe – Our Rummage volunteers have been doing a wonderful job keeping up with all the donations and sales.  Our shoppe will remain open until December 11, so time is limited! Reserve a 30-minute shopping time here: https://reopen.church/r/bloP83YN. Items are also being sold on-line here: https://www.facebook.com/AllSaintsRummageShoppe/. This is an on-going fund-raiser for All Saints’ ministries. The Shoppe will operate only until the middle of December, so take a look now and tell your friends.

Bible Study this week is on Wed., Nov. 25 at 10:15 am. We are reading and discussing the end of Philippians, Ch. 4.  In Advent we start a new topic: we’ll spend time with the Old Testament readings for the Sundays of Advent which look forward to the birth of the Messiah. We’d love to have you and your friends participate in this Zoom class. For the link please e-mail Mother Vicki at allsaints_rector@hotmail.com.    

Christian Practices: Making Sacred Space
We often think of sacred space as a church, synagogue, or some other place people gather for formal worship. Or we might experience a particular location in the natural world as sacred – what Celtic spirituality refers to as “thin places” where we sense God’s presence very strongly.

But we can also have sacred space in our home. This is particularly important during this time when we are spending so much time at home. This week Bishop Hughes shares a meditation with us about the sacred space she has created in her home. Take a look and listen and consider how you might make a space for prayer and reflection in your home, if you haven’t done so already. https://youtu.be/hbcO0H3qt5Q

Blessings, Vicki+

Dear Friends in Christ,
Our worship this Sunday will be at 8 am in the Memorial Garden and at 10 am on Zoom. Details are below, as well as some important information.

COVID Information - If you live in Long Hill Township you will have received a recorded phone message from Mayor Brendan Rae about the rise in COVID cases and the need for all of us to be as careful as we can for the sake of our families, our neighbors, our communities, and ourselves. One good website that tracks the cases reported by the US Dept of Health and Human Services on rolling seven-day average by county and state can be found here: https://covidactnow.org/us/new_jersey-nj/county/morris_county?s=1318327. For the last week Morris County has been at or near the “red zone” of active or immanent outbreak. Somerset County is not far behind. Long Hill’s municipal data parallels Morristown’s: 25 cases per 100,000 people. Please be sure to take all the precautions that the CDC recommends.

Here are the announcements and links for Sunday’s worship.

• Sunday Worship
• Update on Indoor Worship
• Annual Pledge Campaign
• Rummage Shoppe
• Bible Study
• Advent starts

Sunday Worship – November 15th – 8 & 10 am
8 am Service of the Word in-person in the Memorial Garden. Please register here: https://reopen.church/r/bloP83YN. Bring a folding chair and a copy of the bulletin.
10 am Service of the Word on Zoom, followed by Coffee Hour. Please e-mail allstsmill@hotmail.com for the log-in. We'd love to have you join us!

Indoor Worship Update – the ultra-violet sanitizing light system for the Church ventilation system is scheduled to be installed on Thursday, Nov. 19. We hope that means we’ll be able to be indoors for the 8 am service on Nov. 22, and on Thanksgiving morning, but that will depend on everything working!

We will adhere to all state and diocesan safety guidelines which have changed in this past week, as per Bishop Hughes’ direction due to the rapid rise of COVID cases: 25 people; pre-register for attendance/contact tracing; temperature checks at the door; masks required; distanced seating from anyone not in your family; windows open for fresh air exchange; service length 35-40 minutes. For the two Sundays after Thanksgiving (Nov. 29 & Dec. 6) the indoor worship limit for our diocese will be 10 people, anticipating a surge after Thanksgiving. Bishop Hughes will re-evaluate at that point. Please see her fuller communication about this in the letter here: https://dioceseofnewark.org/bishops-vlog/updated-guidelines-person-worship-diocese-newark

Annual Pledge Campaign – Pledge packets were sent to you via US mail last week. They contain a brochure telling the story of All Saints’ during this pandemic time, as well as a letter from me, and a pledge form. Please read this material and make your pledge commitment for 2021. You may mail your commitment form in, or put it through the Rath House door slot, or use the on-line pledge form on our website.

It is your prayer and your pledge of financial support that makes the ministry and mission of All Saints’ happen. We know that we still have some challenging months ahead of us, and so we need everyone to participate.

If you did not receive a pledge packet in the mail, or is you have a question on the status of your current 2020 pledge, please send an e-mail to allstsmill@hotmail.com. Thank you!

All Saints’ Rummage Shoppe – Our Rummage volunteers have been doing a wonderful job keeping up with all the donations and sales.  Our shoppe will remain open until December 11, so time is limited! Reserve a 30-minute shopping time here: https://reopen.church/r/bloP83YN. Items are also being sold on-line here: https://www.facebook.com/AllSaintsRummageShoppe/. This is an on-going fund-raiser for All Saints’ ministries. The Shoppe will operate only until the middle of December, so take a look now and tell your friends.

Bible Study this week is on Wed., Nov. 18 at 10:15 am. We are reading and discussing Philippians, Ch. 3.  We’d love to have you participate in this Zoom class. For the link please e-mail Mother Vicki at allsaints_rector@hotmail.com.    

Christian Practices: Advent
The season of Advent – our annual preparation for the Feast of the Incarnation (i.e. Christmas) – was originally seven weeks long, paralleling the season of Lent as the preparation for Easter. In the Middle Ages the season got shortened to four weeks.

In recent years quite a number of Christians and Churches have begun to recover a longer Advent – for several reasons. One reason is that so much of our spiritual preparation has gotten co-opted by the commercial rush and busyness of parties, shopping, decorating, etc. Our reflections tend to focus on the birth of the Baby in the manger (think “Away in the Manger”, and we lose track of the One who comes as Judge and Sovereign Lord (“Joy to the world the Lord has come, let earth receive her King”).

And yet Advent is about waiting and looking for, and longing for the coming of Christ at Bethlehem, in our own hearts and lives, and at the end of the present age. Keeping a longer Advent gives us the opportunity to focus on these different aspects of our spiritual preparation for Christmas.

Here at All Saints’ we have adapted this longer tradition for several years now, with six Sundays: the Second Sunday before Advent, the First Sunday before Advent, and then the four weeks of Advent proper. So this Sunday, November 15, we will begin our marking of Advent-tide.

May the season be filled for you with the hope and expectation of God’s love, peace, justice, mercy, and the coming of Christ.

Blessings, Vicki+

Dear Friends in Christ,
Here are the announcements for the week ahead. The worship links are at the end of the e-mail.

• Sunday Worship Links for 8 am, 10 am & 5 pm (at the end of this e-letter)
• All Saints’ Day: Communion & Necrology
• Music Update & Hymn Recording Request
• Rummage Shoppe
• Bible Study
• Food Ministry

 
Music Ministry – every week we have a choral anthem or instrumental offertory as part of our 10 am worship on Zoom. Here is the virtual choir anthem from this past Sunday. Congratulations to Alison and the Adult Choir. Enjoy! https://youtu.be/54fiJovVW48
And for All Saints’ Day Alison will be making a virtual choir recording of the hymn “For All the Saints”, which will be played at our in-person 10 am service. Alison would like to have any parishioners who want to sing participate in this recording. Please e-mail her for information: asienerbrown@gmail.com.

All Saints’ Rummage Shoppe: Sales Times – Come see all the wonderful treasures that are available! Tell your friends. Reserve a 30-minute shopping time here: https://reopen.church/r/bloP83YN.  Items are also being sold on-line here: https://www.facebook.com/AllSaintsRummageShoppe/.   This is an on-going fund-raiser for All Saints’ ministries. The Shoppe will operate until the middle of December, so now is a good time to look for Christmas gifts! Thank you to our Rummage Team for their creativity and resourcefulness!

Bible Study this week is on Wed., Oct. 28 at 10:15. We are reading and discussing the Letter to the Philippians – Ch. 1 (second half). If you would like to participate in this Zoom class or want more information, please e-mail Mother Vicki at allsaints_rector@hotmail.com.    

All Saints Day: Sunday, November 1st. We will celebrate our parish feast day and this this very important day in the Church year with two outdoor, in-person celebrations of Holy Eucharist, at 8 & 10 am. We have all been missing seeing one another in person and worshipping together. This will be a wonderful opportunity to gather as a parish. Please plan to attend. The 10 am service will be livestreamed for those who need to remain at home. Please register to attend either service here https://reopen.church/r/bloP83YN.   

All Saints’ Day Necrology – at both of our services on November 1st we’ll remember our loved ones and those of our parish who have died and gone before us in the faith. You are invited to submit the names of those you would like included in the prayers on that day. Please send names to our Parish Administrator Susie Harris by Oct. 27: allsaints_church@hotmail.com.

Stewardship: Pledge Reminders – Thank you to all those who have been staying current with your 2020 pledge or who have made other donations. Your support continues to be vital to All Saints’ ability to carry out God’s mission and ministry. If you need to get caught up on your pledge, or you are unsure of your pledge status, or you need to make an adjustment, please send an e-mail to Parish Administrator Susie Harris, allsaints_church@hotmail.com. Thank you for your partnership in doing God’s work here at All Saints’ and in our wider community. We couldn’t do it without you!

Food Ministry – As part of our outreach, we are currently serving 112 formerly homeless Veterans at the Valley Brook apartments in Lyons, distributing groceries, paper products, and pantry items. We also partner with the Friends of Valley Brook to make and deliver dinner meal kits and containers of soup to the Vets once a week. The volunteers for this part of our food ministry are Barb Barbeau, Leanna Wellerding and Mike Opolonik, and Mary Jane and Peter Strang. They are each responsible for one dinner per month. We would love to have your help and involvement. If you are interested in participating in this ministry (or picking up food at the Community Food Bank in Hillside, lifting boxes, unpacking items, picking up bread and bakery items at Panera) please contact our coordinator Barb Barbeau, barbwillow@aol.com.

Sunday Worship
1. Sunday 8 am Rite 1 Morning Prayer, Outdoors In-person in the Memorial Garden & Sunday 5 pm Rite 2 Evening Prayer on the Church Side Lawn (weather permitting). Reservations are required; see link above. Bring a lawn chair, the copy of the service leaflet (attached to this e-mail or on the website www.allsaintsmillington.org) or your own Book of Common Prayer; wear your mask.
2. Sunday 10 am Service of the Word – online via Zoom. If you would like to join us, please e-mail allstsmill@hotmail.com for the log-in.
Here are the guidelines for attending in-person services, please them before making a reservation for the first time: http://www.allsaintsmillington.org/uploads/1/2/5/1/1251925/outdoor_worship_at_all_saints_gudelines.pdf .

Christian Practices: Rest
We know that our bodies need sleep each day, and what happens to us if we become sleep-deprived. We get cranky, don’t have enough energy or stamina, lose our sense of perspective.

But how often do we just collapse into bed at night without any real sense of entering rest and sleep intentionally, as a holy practice? Or how many of us dread the night because we can’t shut off our fears and anxieties, suffer from disturbing dreams, or can’t sleep?

When we approach our night-time preparations knowing that we can entrust the world and ourselves into God’s care and keeping, it can give us a sense of relief and peace.

Here is a prayer to say at bedtime. It’s a good one for children to learn, too.
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or
weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who
sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless
the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the
joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen. ~ BCP, p. 134

Blessings, Vicki+

Dear Friends in Christ,
Here are the worship links and announcements for the week ahead. Please take a look; we want everyone to be “in the loop” about All Saints’… even while we are physically apart.
Registration link to sign up for all our in-person services and our Rummage Shoppe times. It’s one spot with clearly marked events and services.  https://reopen.church/r/bloP83YN.   Rummage Shopping Times

• Sunday 8 am, 10 am, 5 pm bulletins, and Zoom info
• Rector “away” at Clergy Conference
• Stewardship: Pledge Reminders
• All Saints’ Day: Communion & Necrology
• Food Pantry Update
• Music

Sunday Worship
1. Sunday 8 am Rite 1 Morning Prayer, Outdoors In-person in the Memorial Garden  and Sunday 5 pm Rite 2 Evening Prayer on the Church Side Lawn (weather permitting). Reservations are required; see link above. Bring a lawn chair, the copy of the service leaflet (attached to this e-mail or on the website www.allsaintsmillington.org) or your own Book of Common Prayer; wear your mask.
2. Sunday 10 am Service of the Word – online via Zoom. If you would like to join us for this service, please send an e-mail to allstsmill@hotmail.com for the log-in information.
3. Here are the guidelines for attending in-person services, please them before making a reservation for the first time: http://www.allsaintsmillington.org/uploads/1/2/5/1/1251925/outdoor_worship_at_all_saints_gudelines.pdf .

Rector Attending Clergy Conference this Week. Bishop Hughes has asked all the clergy of our diocese to participate in this year’s (mostly) virtual Clergy Conference – worship, speakers, in-person small-group outdoor meetings with the Bishop, time for reading, reflection, rest, and getting outdoors. Mother Vicki will not be doing regularly parish work on Monday-Wednesday this week but is available if there is a pastoral emergency.

Music – our dedicated and talented parish musicians continue to exercise their ministry and glorify God each week through the creativity, hard work, and leadership of Director of Music Alison Siener Brown. The Adult Choir meets each week on Zoom for fellowship and rehearsal, and records choir anthems for us to use in our Sunday on-line worship. Different members of the choir serve as the cantor to lead hymns and chant the psalm. You can always listen to the Sunday service on our website if you are not able to be on Zoom. And now the Junior Choir is meeting in-person for outdoor handbell choir rehearsals. Music is such an important part of our worship and our life here at All Saints’. We are grateful for the many ways our musicians have continued to offer their time and talent to God and to our parish family.

All Saints’ Rummage Shoppe: Sales Times – Friday, 10/16 2:30-4:30 pm. Tell your friends. Come see all the wonderful treasures that are available! Reserve a 30-minute shopping time at the link at the top of the newsletter. Items are also being sold on-line here: https://www.facebook.com/AllSaintsRummageShoppe/
This is an on-going fund-raiser for All Saints’ ministries. The Shoppe will operate until the middle of December, so now is a good time to look for Christmas gifts! Thank you to our Rummage Team for their creativity and resourcefulness!

Bible Study will not meet this week. Our study and discussion of Paul’s Letter to the Philippians – Ch. 1 (second half), will meet again on Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 10:15-11:30 am. We’d love to have you join us – no prior Bible study experience is necessary. You don’t even need to own a Bible! If you would like to participate in this Zoom meeting or want more information, please e-mail Mother Vicki at allsaints_rector@hotmail.com.    

All Saints Day: Sunday, November 1st. We will celebrate our parish feast day and this this very important day in the Church year with two outdoor, in-person celebrations of Holy Eucharist, at 8 & 10 am. We have all been missing seeing one another in person and worshiping together. This will be a wonderful opportunity to gather as a parish. Please plan to attend. The 10 am service will be live-streamed for those who need to remain at home.

All Saints’ Day Necrology – at both of our services on November 1st we’ll remember our loved ones and those of our parish who have died and gone before us in the faith. You are invited to submit the names of those you would like included in the prayers on that day. Please send names to our Parish Administrator Susie Harris by Oct. 27: allsaints_church@hotmail.com.

Food Ministry – Did you know? Our food pantry currently serves close to 150 people each month! That includes families and individuals in town, formerly homeless Vets in the Valley Brook apartments, and even the CSJB convent in Mendham. We’ve even been able to share our resources with the pop-up pantry at St. Bernard’s in Bernardsville. Our team of volunteers extends beyond our own congregation, and we are always happy to welcome new volunteers to this ministry. Your prayers and donations help to make all this possible; thank you!

Stewardship: Pledge Reminders – this is a very challenging time - for us as a parish, and for some of you personally. About $30,000 of our budgeted income comes from Parish House use rentals and fundraisers (Rummage Sale, Fish & Chips). This year that income has been drastically reduced because of the pandemic. Our income is now lagging substantially in comparison to our expenses. Parishioners’ pledges and donations are the backbone of our financial support, and this year they are more important than ever. Many of you have stayed current with your pledge; thank you! Some of you have been able to give more than you pledged; thank you! If you need to get caught up on your pledge, or you are unsure of your pledge status, or you need to make an adjustment, please send an e-mail to Parish Administrator Susie Harris, allsaints_church@hotmail.com. Thank you for your partnership in doing God’s work here at All Saints’ and in our wider community. We couldn’t do it without you!

Christian Practices: St Luke the Physician
Luke was a physician who travelled and worked with St. Paul. He wrote the Gospel f Luke and the Book of Acts as a two-volume account of Jesus’ ministry and the life of the earliest Christians. His Gospel of full of accounts of Jesus’ healing ministry, as well as some of the most well-known and well-loved parables, such as the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32). You can read further about Luke here: https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/luke-evangelist-saint
The Collect for St. Luke
Almighty God, who inspired your servant Luke the physician to set forth in the Gospel the love and healing power of your Son: Graciously continue in your Church this love and power to heal, to the praise and glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Blessings, Vicki+