Dear Friends in Christ,
This has been a difficult and trying week for all of us with the events of our nation so very present and fast moving, particularly the Boston marathon bombing on Monday, and its aftermath. I hope that you are all now regaining a sense of peace and stability.
In the midst of all this I received the news on Thursday that my aunt Margery Faulkner Geer died late Thursday afternoon. She lived in Indiana, as do her children and their families. I will be flying to Fort Wayne on Wednesday morning for the funeral, along with my sister; I will return home on Saturday. I am in the process of arranging clergy coverage in my absence. Our parish administrator Susie Harris will have the name and number of the covering priest, as will the Wardens, and I will be available by cell phone, if needed.
Both Wednesday morning and evening Bible studies will be cancelled for the week, as will Wednesday Evening Prayer, and the Thursday morning Eucharist and Healing Prayer. The regular schedule will resume the following week.
Thank you for your prayers, and your patience.
+ + + + + + +
WORSHIP
Evening Prayer, Wednesdays 7:15 pm (2nd and 4th weeks of the month: 5/8 & 5/22). Scripture, prayer and psalms. Come for a mid-week calm and connection with God. No Evening Prayer April 24.
Special Needs Worship: All God's Children - April 21, 12-12:30 PM. For children and families with a range of special needs – including anyone who has a hard time sitting still! Refreshments and gluten-free snacks afterwards in the Parish House. Volunteers welcome!
Wedding Bells - The honor of your presence is requested at the marriage of Jody Alexandra Doktor and Shea Thomas Velloso on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at half-past ten in the morning at All Saints’ Church. Celebratory toast to follow!
SUNDAY SCHOOL/YOUTH
Sunday School
4/21: Sunday School
4/28: Sunday School; J2A after coffee hour
5/5: Family Service; Recognition of Communion Class, Baptism, Blessing of the Gardens for Rogation Day.
Communion Class –– for 1st and 2nd graders to learn more about the Eucharist. The first class has already met; the final two are on Mondays from 4-5:15 pm with Mother Vicki in the Rath House, 4/22, and 4/29. This is an important step in a child’s Christian education and faith development. On May 5th the children who have completed the class will be recognized at the 10 am service.
ADULT SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
Bible Study-Bible Buddies groups meet as follows:
Wednesday morning 10:15 am in the Church Narthex
Wednesday evening 7:45 pm in the Rath House-2nd and 4th weeks (5/8, 5/22).
There will be no Bible Study groups this week.
We are following The Bible Challenge – if you have gotten behind on your Bible reading, don’t get discouraged! Here is an idea for a way forward: 1) Get caught up and stay current in your New Testament reading – that’s the most important. 2) Don’t try to catch up with the Psalms (they’ll come around again). Just pick up with the Psalm of the day. 3) As you are able, read more of the Old Testament. This Challenge is a big project, but well worth whatever time, energy and prayer you are able to give to it. There is no way to lose here! So where are we now? Monday, April 22 is Day 71 and the readings are Deuteronomy 19-21, Psalm 59, Luke 17. If you have questions speak to Mother Vicki.
Women’s Book Group Our next book for discussion is Orphan Train, by Christina Baker Kline. We meet on Wednesday, May 15 at 7:30 pm in the Rath House. The group is for all women, parishioners and friends alike. Hope you can join us.
OUTREACH
The United Thank Offering (UTO) began in 1886 as women of the Episcopal Church sought to extend mission and outreach. We give thanks to God each day for our many blessings and pray for others; as we do this, we set aside money in a blue UTO box (or some other container). On Mother’s Day we return our blue boxes or envelopes to Church to be added to the visible thanksgivings of others in our diocese and national Church. The funds are then used for mission and ministry throughout the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. Please take an envelope or box home with you today. It all starts with offering thanks to God.
FUN AND FUND-RAISING
The Parish House kitchen has been organized and we need some utensils and equipment to finally complete last year’s kitchen replacement program. In addition, we are replacing the old, banged up folding chairs in the Lower Room with new dark brown ones. You are invited to “adopt” a chair(s) and/or kitchen equipment by taking one of the envelopes on the Narthex door and supplying the contents.
Questions? Speak to Jackie Sullivan.
RECYCLE - Keep bringing in those used printer & toner cartridges! We receive eight this week! Thank you! We receive $2 credit at Staples for each cartridge. In 2012, we raised $476 toward office supplies! Remember to drop them off in the box in the Narthex. ~Susie Harris
BUNCO is coming! Friday, May 31. Watch for more details, get a group together or sign up on your own, and come for a fun evening!
STEWARDSHIP
Stewardship - It’s never too early to teach your children about the tool of money. Teach them how to work for it and they learn pride and self-respect. Teach them how to save it and they learn security and self-worth. Teach them how to be generous with it and they learn love. — Judith Jamison, African-American dancer and choreographer
Worship Attendance (Combined Services)
Easter III (April 14) 89
YTD Sunday Total 1367
YTD Sunday Average 95
Parish House Construction Update – We are moving into the final phase of construction. The hardwood floor in the entry has been installed and is waiting for stain. The kitchenette area is painted and the cabinets will be installed next week. Upcoming: finishes (including lighting fixtures), painting, the wheel chair lift will be the last thing to be installed, and the dry well still has to be dug and built.
+ + + + + + +
A Collect for the Nation
Lord God Almighty, you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: Give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will; 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 258
Blessings,
Vicki McGrath+
This has been a difficult and trying week for all of us with the events of our nation so very present and fast moving, particularly the Boston marathon bombing on Monday, and its aftermath. I hope that you are all now regaining a sense of peace and stability.
In the midst of all this I received the news on Thursday that my aunt Margery Faulkner Geer died late Thursday afternoon. She lived in Indiana, as do her children and their families. I will be flying to Fort Wayne on Wednesday morning for the funeral, along with my sister; I will return home on Saturday. I am in the process of arranging clergy coverage in my absence. Our parish administrator Susie Harris will have the name and number of the covering priest, as will the Wardens, and I will be available by cell phone, if needed.
Both Wednesday morning and evening Bible studies will be cancelled for the week, as will Wednesday Evening Prayer, and the Thursday morning Eucharist and Healing Prayer. The regular schedule will resume the following week.
Thank you for your prayers, and your patience.
+ + + + + + +
WORSHIP
Evening Prayer, Wednesdays 7:15 pm (2nd and 4th weeks of the month: 5/8 & 5/22). Scripture, prayer and psalms. Come for a mid-week calm and connection with God. No Evening Prayer April 24.
Special Needs Worship: All God's Children - April 21, 12-12:30 PM. For children and families with a range of special needs – including anyone who has a hard time sitting still! Refreshments and gluten-free snacks afterwards in the Parish House. Volunteers welcome!
Wedding Bells - The honor of your presence is requested at the marriage of Jody Alexandra Doktor and Shea Thomas Velloso on Saturday, May 4, 2013 at half-past ten in the morning at All Saints’ Church. Celebratory toast to follow!
SUNDAY SCHOOL/YOUTH
Sunday School
4/21: Sunday School
4/28: Sunday School; J2A after coffee hour
5/5: Family Service; Recognition of Communion Class, Baptism, Blessing of the Gardens for Rogation Day.
Communion Class –– for 1st and 2nd graders to learn more about the Eucharist. The first class has already met; the final two are on Mondays from 4-5:15 pm with Mother Vicki in the Rath House, 4/22, and 4/29. This is an important step in a child’s Christian education and faith development. On May 5th the children who have completed the class will be recognized at the 10 am service.
ADULT SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
Bible Study-Bible Buddies groups meet as follows:
Wednesday morning 10:15 am in the Church Narthex
Wednesday evening 7:45 pm in the Rath House-2nd and 4th weeks (5/8, 5/22).
There will be no Bible Study groups this week.
We are following The Bible Challenge – if you have gotten behind on your Bible reading, don’t get discouraged! Here is an idea for a way forward: 1) Get caught up and stay current in your New Testament reading – that’s the most important. 2) Don’t try to catch up with the Psalms (they’ll come around again). Just pick up with the Psalm of the day. 3) As you are able, read more of the Old Testament. This Challenge is a big project, but well worth whatever time, energy and prayer you are able to give to it. There is no way to lose here! So where are we now? Monday, April 22 is Day 71 and the readings are Deuteronomy 19-21, Psalm 59, Luke 17. If you have questions speak to Mother Vicki.
Women’s Book Group Our next book for discussion is Orphan Train, by Christina Baker Kline. We meet on Wednesday, May 15 at 7:30 pm in the Rath House. The group is for all women, parishioners and friends alike. Hope you can join us.
OUTREACH
The United Thank Offering (UTO) began in 1886 as women of the Episcopal Church sought to extend mission and outreach. We give thanks to God each day for our many blessings and pray for others; as we do this, we set aside money in a blue UTO box (or some other container). On Mother’s Day we return our blue boxes or envelopes to Church to be added to the visible thanksgivings of others in our diocese and national Church. The funds are then used for mission and ministry throughout the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. Please take an envelope or box home with you today. It all starts with offering thanks to God.
FUN AND FUND-RAISING
The Parish House kitchen has been organized and we need some utensils and equipment to finally complete last year’s kitchen replacement program. In addition, we are replacing the old, banged up folding chairs in the Lower Room with new dark brown ones. You are invited to “adopt” a chair(s) and/or kitchen equipment by taking one of the envelopes on the Narthex door and supplying the contents.
Questions? Speak to Jackie Sullivan.
RECYCLE - Keep bringing in those used printer & toner cartridges! We receive eight this week! Thank you! We receive $2 credit at Staples for each cartridge. In 2012, we raised $476 toward office supplies! Remember to drop them off in the box in the Narthex. ~Susie Harris
BUNCO is coming! Friday, May 31. Watch for more details, get a group together or sign up on your own, and come for a fun evening!
STEWARDSHIP
Stewardship - It’s never too early to teach your children about the tool of money. Teach them how to work for it and they learn pride and self-respect. Teach them how to save it and they learn security and self-worth. Teach them how to be generous with it and they learn love. — Judith Jamison, African-American dancer and choreographer
Worship Attendance (Combined Services)
Easter III (April 14) 89
YTD Sunday Total 1367
YTD Sunday Average 95
Parish House Construction Update – We are moving into the final phase of construction. The hardwood floor in the entry has been installed and is waiting for stain. The kitchenette area is painted and the cabinets will be installed next week. Upcoming: finishes (including lighting fixtures), painting, the wheel chair lift will be the last thing to be installed, and the dry well still has to be dug and built.
+ + + + + + +
A Collect for the Nation
Lord God Almighty, you have made all the peoples of the earth for your glory, to serve you in freedom and in peace: Give to the people of our country a zeal for justice and the strength of forbearance, that we may use our liberty in accordance with your gracious will; 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 258
Blessings,
Vicki McGrath+
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