Dear Friends in Christ,

This coming week will bring the celebration of our nation’s birth on July 4.  If you are traveling during the holiday, please be safe and have a good time, but please also remember what the celebration is all about: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their  Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” (Declaration of Independence).  Many of the signers of the Declaration and framers of the Constitution did not hold theological views that were really Christian; the Deist philosophy of the time under-girded much of their thinking. Nevertheless, the impulse toward equality and rights based on one’s humanity, and the freedom to speak, think and act on one’s own behalf, while taking thought for one’s neighbor are very much Christian ideals. And the Episcopal Church came into being in 1789 on the heels of the American Revolution, with gratitude for the opportunity to create a new expression of the Church and the Anglican tradition in a new land, and with a church governing structure (at the national level) that mirrors our national bicameral government. The first American Book of Common Prayer designated Independence Day to be a Prayer Book Holy Day (see the Collect below).

This Sunday at All Saints’ we’ll give thanks and pray for our nation, and at the 10 am service we’ll have a kid’s sermon and close our worship with the singing of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”  I hope you’ll join us if you are in town!
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Christian Arts Camp finishes on Friday.  At 11:30 am we’ll stage a production of “100% Chance of Rain.”  You are invited to come and see our show (30 minutes long). We’ve had had a great week with twelve children (from All Saints’ and from the wider community).  We learned all about Noah, animals, the ark, and some of the faith traits that Noah needed to build the ark, and that we need to be Jesus’ followers.  Take a look at our rainbow of faith traits on the poster in the bell tower!  Thanks to Dr. Jody, Meg McGrath, Mother Vicki & helpers Charlene Teo, Jeanette Caldwell, Matt Hunt, Audrey Godwin, Angela Celeste and Julia Celeste.

Welcome to the Beach Family on July 8! Some of you remember Mark, Annabel, and Ellie Beach from the time Mark served here as a sabbatical priest back in 2000 when our then-rector Richard Wrede was on a clergy exchange to England.  Since you last saw him, Mark has become the Very Rev. Dr. Beach, Dean of Rochester Cathedral.  Rochester is the second-oldest cathedral in England, established in 604 AD.  Mark and his family will be here at All Saints’ on Sunday, July 8 for a visit.  Anyone who knew the Beaches is invited to Jean and Geof Kimak’s house after the 10 am service on that day.  We are looking forward to Mark’s visit!

Summer Discussion Group - Join us for a discussion of the book Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives by Richard Swenson, M.D.  Whether or not you are able to participate in the Discussion Group, the book will be helpful to you.  You can sign up for the book and/or the group on the sheet in the Narthex. The group will meet on Wed. July 11 & 18 @ 7:45 pm in the Rath House.

Picnic & Praise/Summer Mid-Week Worship - Away on summer weekends?  Need a mid-week faith boost? Come for a simple, outdoor service of Eucharist on Wednesday nights!  Bring a picnic supper to the Parish House lawn at 6 pm (if you like), we'll supply cold drinks. The service starts at 7 pm and lasts 30 minutes. This will run through the end of July (but not July 4th). 

Rummage Sale - Got Rummage?  We'll take it!  If you have furniture, housewares, linens, tools, electronics, small appliances, toys, games, children's books, yard & garden items, jewelry, boutiques item, etc. - anything except clothes, tires, books for grownups - we can use them.  All donations must be clean and in good repair.  Please also let your neighbors know.
1st Rummage Drop Off: August 5 from 8 am to 2pm in the Parish House.
Rummage Help Needed: If you can sort, price, bake, set-up, clean-up, staff the sale, etc., please sign up on the poster in the narthex.  If everyone does at least a little bit, the whole event will come together well, for the benefit of the Church and all those who will come to shop at our sale.  Questions?  Speak to Kimberly Celeste.  Thanks!
Mark your calendar: Rummage Sale will be Saturday, September 22. 

Summer Refreshments Hosts Needed - On summer Sundays we gather on the Parish House Lawn with iced tea or lemonade and cookies following the 10 am service.  This is a fun and easy opportunity to host your fellow parishioners.  Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex.  If you have questions about what's involved, please speak with John McGrath. Thanks!

Thanks to…
·        Tom Day and Charlie Hogan for installing the bulletin boards and white boards in the Sunday School classrooms.  Looking ahead to September already!
·         Everyone who made our hymn-sing such a great success! Two of our youth participants said: “We should make this a tradition!” We raised over $400 for two of our choristers to go to choir camp.  If anyone else would like to make a donation towards this effort, please speak to Mother Vicki.

Summer Food Donations for Kids Needed - School is out, and that means that school lunch and breakfast programs for kids from low-income families also take a break for the summer.  The need for kid-friendly lunch items increases in the summer: peanut butter, jelly, tuna, whole wheat crackers, juice boxes, individual milk boxes (Parmalat), raisins, canned fruit, granola bars, dry cereal (Cheerios).  When you go shopping, please consider purchasing a few items with children in mind to go into our Food for Friends basket.  Thank you!  Your contributions mean so much for so many hungry families! And thanks once again to our outreach partner Whole Foods Market for the new contributions they have sent our way.

Women's Book Group – is on hiatus for the summer, but will reconvene on Wednesday, September 19.  The book for discussion is “Little Bee” by Chris Cleave. Happy summer reading!

Stewardship ~ It is well with those who deal generously and lend, who conduct their affairs with justice. Psalm 112:5
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Collect for Independence Day   

Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this
country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the
torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant that we and
all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our
liberties in righteousness and peace; 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, page 242

Blessings,
Vicki McGrath+

Dear Friends in Christ,

On Saturday the Alcoholics Anonymous groups that meet at All Saints’ will hold their fourth annual Gratitude Mass.  This is a service giving thanks for the founding of AA, and for the gift of sobriety and healing.  Please pray for the ongoing work of AA, for those still struggling with addiction, and for the success of this important event on Saturday.  This is one of the ways All Saints’ extends our ministry of hospitality in the community, as God works in and through AA.

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Father’s Day, June 17 – On Sunday we’ll have special prayers and white carnations to remember and honor our fathers.  Come to church that day and pray with or for your father!

Sing Hymns! Send Choristers to Choir Camp!  On Sunday, June 24 @ 4 pm we'll have a Hymn Sing.  Come and sing all your old favorites.  We'll take requests. The event is open to all, and a free-will offering will be taken to help underwrite the cost of sending two of our Junior Choir members to the Royal School of Church Music week-long Summer Course in Wilkes Barre, PA.  Besides having fun, our choristers will boost their music and leadership skills.   When they return to choir in the fall, their strengthened skills will be shared with the whole choir.

Christian Arts Camp – June 25-29, 9 am to noon, for kids age 4-Grade 4.  Cost is $40 per child.  The theme of the week will be Noah’s Ark.  Music, drama, arts & crafts, games, snacks, worship and fun!  Middle school, high school and adult helpers are needed.  Registration forms are available in the Narthex.  Invite your friends and spread the word!

Thank You!
…to Tim and Barbara Erday for hosting last Sunday’s Parish Picnic – it was fun and delicious!
…to Maria Stapperfenne for the beautiful countertop on the coffee serving cabinet in the Parish Hall.
…to Boy Scout Michael Larkin for the work he is doing on the Memorial Garden for his Eagle Scout Award.
…to Cub Scout Pack 56 for their donation of $1000 towards the wheel-chair lift that will go in the new Parish House entryway.
…to the Girl Scouts of Long Hill Township for their contribution of $150 in thanks for Girl Scouting’s 100th Anniversary Celebration which was held in the Parish Hall; this money has also been applied to the wheel-chair lift.

Picnic & Praise/Summer Mid-Week Worship – Away on summer weekends?  Need a mid-week faith boost? Come for a simple, outdoor service of Eucharist on Wednesday nights!  Bring a picnic supper to the Parish House lawn at 6 pm (if you like), we’ll supply cold drinks. The service starts at 7 pm and lasts 30 minutes. This will start on June 27 and run through the end of July.  And please note that the Wednesday and Thursday morning services are on break until September.

Women’s Book Group – Wednesday, June 27 at 7:30 pm in the Rath House.  This month’s book is A Land More Kind Than Home, by Wiley Cash.  Come for a fun evening of fellowship and discussion .

Rummage Sale Meeting–Mark your calendar: Rummage Sale will be Saturday, September 22.  1st Rummage Drop Off: August 5 from 8 am to 2pm in the Parish House. All items should be clean and in good repair.  Please remember we don’t take clothes, shoes, tires large appliances or books (other than children’s books). There’s a sign-up sheet with many different jobs waiting in the Narthex for you to put your name on it!  If you have questions, please speak to Kimberly Celeste.

Summer Refreshments Hosts Needed – on summer Sundays we gather on the Parish House Lawn with iced tea or lemonade and cookies following the 10 am service.  This is a fun and easy opportunity to host your fellow parishioners.  Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex.  If you have questions about what’s involved, please speak with John McGrath. Thanks!

Sing Hymns - Send  Choristers to Choir Camp!  On Sunday, June 24 @ 4 pm we'll have a Hymn Sing.  Come and sing all your old favorites.  We'll take requests. The event is open to all, and a free-will offering will be taken to help underwrite the cost of sending two of our Junior Choir members to the Royal School of Church Music week-long Summer Course in Wilkes Barre, PA.  Besides having fun, our choristers will boost their music and leadership skills.   When they return to choir in the fall, their strengthened skills will be shared with the whole choir.                                    

Welcome to the Beach Family on July 8! Some of you remember Mark, Annabel, and Ellie Beach from the time Mark served here as a sabbatical priest back in 2000 when our rector Richard Wrede was on a clergy exchange to England.  Since you last saw him, Mark has become the Very Rev. Dr. Beach, Dean of Rochester Cathedral.  Rochester is the second-oldest cathedral in England, established in 604 AD.  Mark and his family will be here at All Saints’ on Sunday, July 8 for a visit.  Anyone who knew the Beaches is invited to Jean and Geof Kimak’s house after the 10 am service on that day.  We are looking forward to Mark’s visit!

Summer Discussion Group – Join us for a discussion of the book Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives by Richard Swenson, M.D.  Whether or not you are able to participate in the Discussion Group, the book will be helpful to you.  You can sign up for the book and/or the group on the sheet in the Narthex. The group will meet on Wed. July 11 & 18 @ 7:45 pm in the Rath House.

Summer Food Donations for Kids Needed – School is almost out, and that means that school lunch and breakfast programs for kids from low-income families also take a break for the summer.  The need for kid-friendly lunch items increases in the summer: peanut butter, jelly, tuna, whole wheat crackers, juice boxes, individual milk boxes (Parmalat), raisins, canned fruit, granola bars, dry cereal (Cheerios).  When you go shopping, please consider purchasing a few items with children in mind to go into our Food for Friends basket.  Thank you!  Your contributions mean so much for so many hungry families!

Stewardship – Gracious acceptance is an art - an art which most never bother to cultivate. We think that we have to learn how to give, but we forget about accepting things, which can be much harder than giving.... Accepting another person's gift is allowing him to express his feelings for you. ~ Alexander McCall Smith, Love Over Scotland

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For the Victims of Addiction
O blessed Lord, you ministered to all who came to you: Look
with compassion upon all who through addiction have lost
their health and freedom. Restore to them the assurance of
your unfailing mercy; remove from them the fears that beset
them; strengthen them in the work of their recovery; and to
those who care for them, give patient understanding and
persevering love.  Amen. ~ Book of Common Prayer, page 831

Blessings,
Vicki McGrath+