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.
+ + + + + + + + +
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.
+ + + + + + +
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?
+ + + + + + + + +
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+