This Week @ All Saints’
January 5, 2012

Dear Friends in Christ,
Tomorrow brings the end of the Christmas season on the Feast of the Epiphany – the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles. That means Sunday is our annual commemoration of the Baptism of our Lord.  We’ll renew our baptismal vows at both services, always a good thing to do at the start of a new year.  I hope and pray that you had a happy and peaceful Christmas and that the 2012 will be a time of blessing, and growth in faith, trust, fellowship, and an appreciation of the gift you are.
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Epiphany Service, January 6, 5:30 pm, tomorrow –  Three Kings, candlelight, Communion – supper and  piñata at 6 pm.  Hope to see you all there!

College Students are invited for a brunch/lunch outing on Sunday, January 8.  Reconnect with fellow All Saints’ folks before your new semester starts.  We’ll meet in the Parish Hall at 11:30 am and then go to a local diner.  RSVP to Mother Vicki at allstsmill@hotmail.com or text (973) 886-4119. 

Coffee Hour Hosts are needed for this Sunday; if you can host this week please respond to this e-mail. There are also many other available slots in 2012.  Coffee Hour (which is neither only coffee, nor an hour long!) is a major time of friendship, fellowship and community building at All Saints’. Please, lend a hand with this ministry; you can sign-up on the sheet in the Narthex. If you want to know more about it, speak to John McGrath.

Are you an artist?  Do you appreciate and enjoy the visual arts?  All Saints’ is gathering a group of people to explore the role of visual arts in our church and in our wider community.  If you’d like to be part of the conversation, please speak to Nancy Mink, Mother Vicki or contact the parish office – 908-647-0067, allstsmill@hotmail.com.

Come play BUNCO on Friday, January 20!This is a fun, and EASY dice game. $20 donation to play.Gather a table of four, eight, twelve…..or come solo! We are planning on 36 players, so the space is limited! Email Nancy Mink to reserve a place: mink88@verizon.net

The Bible Study group meets Wednesdays from 10:15-11:30 am in the Narthex.  What do we do in Bible study?  We read together, ask questions, laugh a lot, disagree, learn some new things, share our opinions and experiences, and remain open to what God wants to teach us and how we might grow in faith and life.  No prior Bible study experience or knowledge is needed! We are currently finishing up a study of the Gospel of Matthew and then the group will decide which book to tackle next.  We’d love to have you on board. Questions?  Speak to Joyce Kulzer or Mother Vicki.

Curious about the Episcopal Church – what it stands for, how it expresses Christian faith, its history and organization?  Interested in being confirmed or formally received into the Church from another Christian tradition?  Been a member of All Saints’ for a long time and want to refresh what you know about your faith?  You are invited to be part of the Inquirer’s Class for adults that will be starting in February.  Please speak to one of the clergy if you would like to know more.

All Saints’on Facebook – check out our Facebook page; we’ve posted the photos from Beth’s ordination there. Thanks, Roger Mederos for your wonderful pictures! Even if you don’t have a FB account you can get to our page from our parish website: www.allsaintsmillington.org. 

Community of St. John Baptist Epiphany Party – the Sisters of CSJB invite all of you to their annual Epiphany party at the Convent in Mendham on Sunday, January 8 at 7:30 pm.  Bring a dessert to share and your singing voice (and listening ears) for fun, fellowship and carol singing!

Children’s Offering Envelopes for 2012 are available to be picked up in the Narthex on Sunday.  There are also envelopes for adults still waiting to be picked up. If you requested envelopes and do not see them there, please call the office and we can supply you with them.

Annual Parish Meeting will be Sunday, January 22 after the 10 am service in the Parish House.  Plan to be a part of this important event in your parish. Babysitting will be available.

Food for Friends - As a Morris County church, All Saints’ sends food to Food for Friends, the emergency food pantry at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Dover.  Food for Friends serves those in need regardless of religious affiliation.  Our donations are the main source of food for this organization.  Please remember to bring a can or two to every service; it greatly helps to those in need.

And save the date – February 5 – for the “Souper Bowl”, sponsored by the Rite-13 class.  More info to come….

Remember to bring in your printer & copier toner and inkjet cartridges! In 2011, we earned $220 in credit at Staples. (Last year we earned $432!) Staples will pay up to $480/year. Your contributions help reduce our office supply budget. Please remember to bring them in and drop them off in the Narthex. Thanks, Susie Harris.
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We often say that stewardship has three parts: time, talent and treasure. But often all we focus on is treasure, and maybe time.  So what about talent?  Here are three questions to consider:
1) What are your talents and strengths?
2) What do you love to do?
3) If time and money were no object, what would you do for God?
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A New Year’s Prayer
May God make your year a happy one!
Not by shielding you from all sorrows and pain,
But by strengthening you to bear it, as it comes;
Not by making your path easy,
But by making you sturdy to travel any path;
Not by taking hardships from you,
But by taking fear from your heart;
Not by granting you unbroken sunshine,
But by keeping your face bright, even in the shadows;
Not by making your life always pleasant,
But by showing you when people and their causes need you most,
     and by making you anxious to be there to help.
God’s love, peace, hope and joy to you for the year ahead.
                       ~ Anonymous
Blessings,
Vicki+

Dear Friends in Christ,

Merry Christmas to you…as we continue to celebrate the Christmas season on this, the sixth day of Christmas; we are half-way through! I hope your celebration of the birth of Christ, God incarnate has been full of blessings and joy.  This coming Sunday is New Year’s Day – but even more than that, it is the Feast of the Holy Name, the day we remember Jesus was formally given his name at eight days old.  We’ll have one service at 10 am (no 8 am), and the sermon will be family-friendly.  It’s a good way to start the New Year.  Hope you can come, and stay for refreshments in the Narthex afterwards.
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Epiphany Service, January 6, 5:30 pm – Come and greet our Three Kings as we celebrate their arrival in Bethlehem.  This is a casual, intergenerational service for all ages.  See you there! Followed by: Epiphany Soup and Sandwich Supper, Friday, January 6th at 6 pm.  This is a wonderful, low-key event for all ages to celebrate the end of the Christmas season, with a King Cake and a piñata for the children.  This year because of our kitchen being out of commission we are asking for donations of soup (either store bought or home-made) in crock pots that can be plugged in the Parish Hall.  The cost for this event is $5 per person; maximum of $20 per household; children under age 3 are free.  Sign up on the sheet in the Narthex.

 Are you an artist?  Do you appreciate and enjoy the visual arts?  All Saints’ is gathering a group of people to explore the role of visual arts in our church and in our wider community.  If you’d like to be part of the conversation, please speak to Nancy Mink, Mother Vicki or contact the parish office – 908-647-0067, allstsmill@hotmail.com.

 College Students are invited for a brunch/lunch outing on Sunday, January 8.  Reconnect with fellow All Saints’ folks before your new semester starts.  We’ll meet in the Parish Hall at 11:30 am and then go to a local diner.  RSVP to Mother Vicki at allstsmill@hotmail.com or text (973) 886-4119.  Hope to see you then!

 The Bible Study group resumes this Wednesday, January 4 from 10:15-11:30 am (after the 9:30 service) in the Narthex.  What do we do in Bible study?  We read together, ask questions, laugh a lot, disagree, learn some new things, share our opinions and experiences, and remain open to what God wants to teach us and how we might grow in faith and life.  No prior Bible study experience or knowledge is needed! Questions?  Speak to Joyce Kulzer or Mother Vicki.

Curious about the Episcopal Church – what it stands for, how it expresses Christian faith, its history and organization?  Interested in being confirmed or formally received into the Church from another Christian tradition?  Been a member of All Saints’ for a long time and want to refresh what you know about your faith?  You are invited to be part of the Inquirer’s Class for adults that will be starting in February.  Please speak to one of the clergy if you would like to know more.

Community of St. John Baptist Epiphany Party – the Sisters of CSJB invite all of you to their annual Epiphany party at the Convent in Mendham on Sunday, January 8 at 7:30 pm.  Bring a dessert to share and your singing voice (and listening ears) for fun, fellowship and carol singing!

Save the date for Bunco!  January 20, 2012! Gather a table of four, eight, twelve…and plan to come for a fun evening.

 As the Vestry is preparing the parish budget for 2012 we are still hoping that more parishioners will make a pledge of financial support for All Saints’ for the coming year.  If you need more information or need another pledge card, materials are in the Narthex or you can speak to Mother Vicki.  We are grateful for everyone’s support and depend upon it, at whatever level of commitment you are able to make.  Thank you.

Annual Parish Meeting will be Sunday, January 22 after the 10 am service in the Parish House.  Plan to be a part of this important event in your parish. Babysitting will be available.
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The following hymn is fitting for the Feast of the Holy Name, and a favorite of mine.  It was the processional hymn at my ordination.  The tune is “King’s Weston,” a great stirring hymn tune by the English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams.  I offer it to you for your meditation. ~ VGM+

At The Name of Jesus (Hymn 435)
At the Name of Jesus
every knee shall bow,
every tongue confess him
King of glory now;
'tis the Father's pleasure
we should call him Lord,
who from the beginning
was the mighty Word.

Humbled for a season,
to receive a Name
from the lips of sinners
unto whom he came,
faithfully he bore it
spotless to the last,
brought it back victorious,
when from death he passed;

bore it up triumphant
with its human light,
through all ranks of creatures,
to the central height,
to the throne of Godhead,
to the Father's breast;
filled it with the glory
of that perfect rest.

Name him, Christians, name him,
with love as strong as death,
name with awe and wonder
and with bated breath:
he is God the Saviour,
he is Christ the Lord,
ever to be worshipped,
trusted, and adored.

In your hearts enthrone him;
there let him subdue
all that is not holy,
all that is not true:
crown him as your Captain
in temptation's hour;
let his will enfold you
in its light and power.

Christians, this Lord Jesus
shall return again,
with his Father's glory,
o’er the earth to reign;
for all wreaths of empire
meet upon his brow,
and our hearts confess him
King of glory now.
        -  Caroline Maria Noel, 1817-1877
Blessings,
Vicki+