This Sunday, please join us for the feast of Christ the King (the Last Sunday after Pentecost) at 8:00 or 10:00 a.m. for Holy Eucharist. The Rev. Bambi Koeniger is our November sabbatical priest, and Deacon Beth will preach. Following the 10:00 a.m. service Bambi will lead an Adult Forum on the Many Ways of Receiving God in the Parish Hall. This is the third (and last) of the Adult Forums offered by our sabbatical priests. We’re fortunate to share in their passions and expertise, so please make time to stay. Thank you!
The funeral of Ted Moulder, widower of parishioner Eva Moulder, will be held this Saturday, Nov. 19, at 3:00 p.m. at All Saints’ Church. All are welcome to attend and convey your condolences to Paul and Geoffrey Moulder.
We held our Community Forum yesterday on Sports and Families – Finding the Right Balance. Thank you of those of you who came out on a cold, rainy night. While the weather appeared to deter many, it was very worthwhile to gain the perspectives of the panel: a sports psychologist, tennis coach and pro, and parent of child athlete/musicians, as well as attendees. Many thanks go to Carmen Paul for her work organizing and publicizing this Community Forum and to John McGrath for moderating it.
This Sunday is the deadline for 2012 pledges to allow us to budget for the coming year. Please prayerfully reflect on your own giving, to All Saints’ and beyond, and submit your pledge to the Parish Office or in the offering plate. Your financial support, as well as investment of time and talent, is essential to All Saints’ ministry and mission.
Today is the deadline to let Beth know if your high schooler is going to NIGHTWATCH, an overnight retreat experience at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. A permission slip (available online) and participation fee of $48 are required. We will leave after school on Friday, Dec. 2, so bring money to eat dinner on the way to the Cathedral. We’ll return by midday on Saturday, Dec. 3. This is an amazing opportunity to explore, so don’t miss it!
Women’s Book Group meets this evening Thursday, Nov. 17, at Jean Kimak’s house (please note the change in date). Join us for a discussion of The Heretic’s Daughter by Kathleen Kent.
Food Ingathering – This Sunday, Nov. 20, the Sunday before Thanksgiving, you are particularly invited to bring non-perishable food items for donation. Children will gather before the 10:00 a.m. service in the Narthex and bring up the food offerings to the altar as a part of the procession before going to their Sunday School classes.
Thanksgiving Service:Holy Eucharist will be celebrated on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24, at 10:00 a.m. with the Rev. Bambi Koeniger. Please join us to give thanks and praise to God.
Pledge Update for the current year: As the year comes to a close please make sure your 2011 pledge is up-to-date. We budget with your pledges in mind and are currently facing a pledge shortfall of over $5,000. If you cannot fulfill your 2011 pledge to All Saints’ please speak with Deacon Beth so we can adjust the budget accordingly.
Stewardship Pledge for 2012: In order to allow us to budget for 2012, please prayerfully consider what gifts you can give back to God in the form of a financial pledge to All Saints’. The deadline for turning in your pledge by mail or in the collection plate is Sunday, Nov. 20. Thank you for all the time, talent, and financial resources you share with All Saints’ Church.
Advent Taizé Services: Dr. Jody will lead a Taizé service each Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. during Advent (Nov. 30, Dec. 7, 14 and 21). Taizé chants are one way to connect with God and one another and step outside of the busy-ness of this time of year. Join us for a wonderful opportunity to worship God during the Advent season of expectation, as we anticipate the gift of Christ at Christmas.
Advent Wreaths: On the First Sunday of Advent, Nov. 28, children and youth will have the opportunity to make Advent wreaths in the Parish Hall during their Sunday School time. Adults will have the chance to do so during Coffee Hour. A contribution of $6 toward the cost of the ring and greens is requested.
Sabbatical Sharing Potluck Lunch – Dec. 4 is our rector Vicki’s first Sunday back from sabbatical! Please join us for a Potluck Lunch in the Parish Hall following the 10:00 a.m. service. We will have the opportunity to welcome Vicki back and share our stories of this sabbatical time with each other. We look forward to learning how Vicki has been refreshed during her sabbatical. Please bring a dish to share!
Memorial Garden Planning Team – Please speak to Beth if you are interested in being a part of this planning team that will work with the Memorial Garden Committee to develop a plan for new plantings in the Memorial Garden.
Kitchen Committee – Due to themold remediation in the Parish House lower level and the dismantling of the kitchen that comes with it, we invite anyone interested in serving on a Kitchen Committee to speak with Jackie Sullivan. This Committee will evaluate existing kitchen items, carry out a needs assessment of kitchen usage, and contribute to the redesign of the kitchen.
Beth’s Ordination to the Priesthood: God willing and the people consenting, our curate, the Rev. Beth Rauen Sciaino, will be ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 10:00 a.m. here at All Saints’ Church. A reception will follow in Parish Hall. The parish of All Saints’ has helped form Beth in her last year of seminary and now as a transitional deacon. All are welcome to celebrate this new part of her journey of faith in community.
Thinking about serving on Vestry? We have a one-year position open on the Vestry. If you are interested in joining the Vestry, please speak with a vestry member, warden (Jackie Sullivan or Tom Day), or the curate.
Acolytes Needed: All 8th graders and high schoolers who are not currently acolyting during the 10:00 a.m. service are invited to join this important worship ministry. Our current group of faithful acolytes would really appreciate adding more youth to their ranks. Please speak with Deacon Beth or Janice Lettieri to volunteer and schedule training.
Confirmation, Spring 2012 – If your high schooler is considering being Confirmed this spring please submit his or her name to Deacon Beth by Tuesday, Nov. 28. The diocese has requested we send names to them by Dec. 1. A diocesan retreat for high school confirmands is scheduled for March 30-31. Confirmation will be held Sunday, May 6, at 3:00 p.m. at Trinity & St. Philip’s Cathedral in Newark with other parishes from Districts 3 and 7. If you are an adult who would like to be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church, please speak with Beth as well. An adult inquirers’ class can also be held in the spring if there is interest.