It is certainly summer! School’s out, hot weather is here, summer programs have begun and many folks are off on vacation or travels or at the Shore. And here at Church we have moved into summer mode, as well: our choirs are sitting in the pews (rather than the choir stalls – you might not recognize them without their vestments on!); Sunday School classes are on break, and there is child-care available in the Undercroft for children up to Grade 2; our after-worship refreshments are simple and easy and outside; some of our parishioners are offering their musical talents for God’s glory and our delight; a number of long-term projects are underway. Summer Church always has a relaxed, leisurely feel – so come and check us out, before or after Sunday breakfast!
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Parking Lot Challenge – The Parking Lot Challenge raised $26,206 in sixty days, more than matching the original grant of $20,000! These funds came from parishioners, neighbors, building users, community groups, friends of the parish and fund-raisers. Good job…and thank you, everyone!
Information Meeting for Parish House Entryway - this Sunday, July 10 at 11:15 am in the Parish Hall. Come and hear more about the plans for the new handicapped-accessible entrance/vestibule for the Parish House. This exciting project will increase our welcome and hospitality to the wider community.
Sabbatical Prayer Ministry – During Mother Vicki’s sabbatical this fall the ministry of All Saints’ will continue through its members, led by the Wardens and Vestry, supported by Deacon Beth and our staff, and augmented by our three sabbatical priests: John Marcantonio (September), Fletcher Harper (October), Bambi Koeniger (November). Sabbatical is a time of renewal, for both priest and parish. As part of that renewal, please make a commitment to pray for one of the leadership or ministry groups of All Saints’ each day during sabbatical. There is a list of all the different groups on a poster in the Narthex. Please put your name next to the group that you will pray for; several people can pray for each group. Your prayers will strengthen the ministry of All Saints.’ Questions? Speak to Joyce Kulzer. Thanks! ~ Note, Vicki’s last Sunday before sabbatical will be July 24th.
Women’s Book Group – Wednesday, July 20 at 7:30 pm in the Rath House. The group will be discussing “Cutting for Stone” by Abraham Verghese. Even if you’ve never participated in Book Group before, this would be a great time to drop in and try it out!
Refreshment Hosts Needed for Sundays after 10 am. During the summer we move our after-Church fellowship time outside and switch from coffee/tea to lemonade, juice or iced tea – and cookies. Summer is a simple and easy time to host your fellow parishioners for a cool drink and relaxed conversation. Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex.
Rummage Sale – is September 17. We’ll start collecting for the sale on August 5th from 11 am-2 pm in the Parish Hall. All items should be clean and in good condition. We don’t accept clothing, tires or hard cover books. Sign up on the poster on the Church door (by the choir pews) to help sort, price, set-up, clean, up, sell and any of the other many jobs that need doing! If you have questions, please speak to Kimberly Celeste.
Small Saints’ BBQ – Sunday, August 28, 4-6 pm for all families with children in Grade 2 and younger (and their older siblings). Come for some time with other All Saints’ families. Invitations will go out later, but save the date now. Questions? Speak to Leigh Gillespie.
Pledges – during the summer as you travel or are on vacation, please remember to keep current on your pledge. You can mail in your envelope or drop it by the office during the week. We appreciate your support which keeps All Saints’ running all year long!
Food for Friends – During the summer when school is closed the need to stock the food pantry continues. Children who get subsidized breakfast and lunch at school don’t have that available to them during July and August, making family budgets stretch more tightly. Please consider bringing non-perishable food items to church and put them in the basket in the Narthex. In particular the pantry needs: canned fruit, vegetables, tuna, cereal, juice boxes, peanut butter, dried fruit, rice, pasta, canned beans, etc. Thank you.
Charlie White’s Birthday Wish - Doreen Unterwald, one of the people who helps out Charlie White, is looking to help fulfill a Birthday Wish... This winter, Charlie was celebrating his birthday, and Doreen asked him to share his birthday wish. He said "I wish it was Memorial Day and I was swimming at Stirling Lake."
Doreen is looking for volunteers to pick him up at this house, bring him to the lake and wait/watch him while he swims. The Lake has arranged to have a lifeguard assigned to Charlie. Charlie's doctor has approved and encourages him to swim, provided he wears a life preserver and he doesn't swim in the deep section. Doreen has taken him several times and she was essentially there to make sure he was steady as he walked into the water.
The pilgrimage would take about 1 1/2 to 2 hours tops. The lake has requested his swim times would be when it is less crowded and cooler: between 11am to 1pm and anytime after 4pm. She is looking for volunteers -- even just to take him once. This is by far his favorite thing in life, and he need to ask others to help since he no longer can ride his bike to the lake. If you can help, contact: Doreen Unterwald¸ katsammom@verizon.net (908) 626-0028
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Psalm 104:25-32
25 O LORD, how manifold are your works! *
in wisdom you have made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
26 Yonder is the great and wide sea
with its living things too many to number, *
creatures both small and great.
27 There move the ships,
and there is that Leviathan, *
which you have made for the sport of it.
28 All of them look to you *
to give them their food in due season.
29 You give it to them; they gather it; *
you open your hand, and they are filled with good things.
30 You hide your face, and they are terrified; *
you take away their breath,
and they die and return to their dust.
31 You send forth your Spirit, and they are created; *
and so you renew the face of the earth.
32 May the glory of the LORD endure for ever; *
may the LORD rejoice in all his works.
Blessings,
Vicki McGrath+