Dear Friends in Christ,
The beautiful weather yesterday is a taste of things to come – thanks be to God! But in the meantime it is still Lent and there are a number of things for us to be attending to as we prepare our souls, our Church and our community for Easter. Please do take a look at the announcements below and at the meditation at the end of this e-mail.
Sunday School Bowling Party – Sunday, march 13, 12:30 pm at the Plaza Lanes in Madison. Cost is $14 per person for shoes, games, pizza and soda. Parents are also asked to bring snacks/treats to share. E-mail Jackie Sullivan jsully45@aol.com ASAP if you will be attending.
Japan Relief Contributions will be collected for the next two weeks. From communication with St. Alban’s Church in Tokyo we have learned that the Diocese of Tohoku (Sendai region) is receiving support from the US Diocese of Louisiana, with whom they have had a long prayer partner relationship. Contributions will go directly to relief efforts through the local Japanese diocese. Checks can be made out to “Episcopal Community Services” and put in the offering plate. We will then send them on to New Orleans to be routed to Japan. Thank you for your prayers and support for the people of Japan at this very difficult time.
Community Forum: Who’s in the Driver’s Seat? Caring for Aging Parents. Part I – From the parent’s perspective – Wednesday, March 23, 7:30-9 pm; Catherine Morrisett, presenter. Tuesday, March 29, 7:30-9 pm; Nunzio Gubitosa, presenter. Both speakers are staff therapists at Grace Counseling Center in Madison.. The Forums will take place in the Parish Hall, with ample time for questions and discussion. Come to one or both!
Homeless Shelter, March 31st – All Saints’ turn at the Interfaith Shelter at the Shrine of St. Joseph in Stirling. We need some people to cook and serve a meal to the shelter families that Thursday evening, as well as one or two people to spend the night. If you can help with this important ministry, please speak to Steve Leisch.
Church School Mite Boxes are available in the Narthex. Throughout Lent kids will collect coins to go towards an outreach project through Episcopal Relief and Development such as buying a flock of chickens for a family. The mite boxes will then be returned on Easter Sunday.
Women’s Book Group – April 27, 7:30 pm. This month’s book will be The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. Come join the fun at the Rath House!
Parking Lot Challenge: Gala Kick-off Brunch, May 1, 11:15 am. Come and be part of this important and fun event as we take the next step in making our church more welcoming and open to serving the community. There are a number of ways that you can help – check out the sign-up sheets in the narthex. Also….save the date and get involved with the Fish and Chips Dinner (fund-raiser for parking lot) on May 5th.
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Lent 2011- Day 10
Penitential
There is a proper penitence
that leads across this forward-leaning season,
no mere regret or manufactured mortifying,
no self-imposed remorse about
those mild suburban sins that spot
and stain the corners of our copy books,
rather a purging
as of earth preparing Springtime,
a melting, washing action like the rain,
a breaking up and turning over
of the soil that is the human soul,
a casting off of chrysalis
that old and wrinkled yet familiar skin
before the aching ecstasy of flight
of wings unfolding iridescence
to the new spilled light.
- J. Barrie Shepherd
Blessings,
Vicki McGrath+
The beautiful weather yesterday is a taste of things to come – thanks be to God! But in the meantime it is still Lent and there are a number of things for us to be attending to as we prepare our souls, our Church and our community for Easter. Please do take a look at the announcements below and at the meditation at the end of this e-mail.
Sunday School Bowling Party – Sunday, march 13, 12:30 pm at the Plaza Lanes in Madison. Cost is $14 per person for shoes, games, pizza and soda. Parents are also asked to bring snacks/treats to share. E-mail Jackie Sullivan jsully45@aol.com ASAP if you will be attending.
Japan Relief Contributions will be collected for the next two weeks. From communication with St. Alban’s Church in Tokyo we have learned that the Diocese of Tohoku (Sendai region) is receiving support from the US Diocese of Louisiana, with whom they have had a long prayer partner relationship. Contributions will go directly to relief efforts through the local Japanese diocese. Checks can be made out to “Episcopal Community Services” and put in the offering plate. We will then send them on to New Orleans to be routed to Japan. Thank you for your prayers and support for the people of Japan at this very difficult time.
Community Forum: Who’s in the Driver’s Seat? Caring for Aging Parents. Part I – From the parent’s perspective – Wednesday, March 23, 7:30-9 pm; Catherine Morrisett, presenter. Tuesday, March 29, 7:30-9 pm; Nunzio Gubitosa, presenter. Both speakers are staff therapists at Grace Counseling Center in Madison.. The Forums will take place in the Parish Hall, with ample time for questions and discussion. Come to one or both!
Homeless Shelter, March 31st – All Saints’ turn at the Interfaith Shelter at the Shrine of St. Joseph in Stirling. We need some people to cook and serve a meal to the shelter families that Thursday evening, as well as one or two people to spend the night. If you can help with this important ministry, please speak to Steve Leisch.
Church School Mite Boxes are available in the Narthex. Throughout Lent kids will collect coins to go towards an outreach project through Episcopal Relief and Development such as buying a flock of chickens for a family. The mite boxes will then be returned on Easter Sunday.
Women’s Book Group – April 27, 7:30 pm. This month’s book will be The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. Come join the fun at the Rath House!
Parking Lot Challenge: Gala Kick-off Brunch, May 1, 11:15 am. Come and be part of this important and fun event as we take the next step in making our church more welcoming and open to serving the community. There are a number of ways that you can help – check out the sign-up sheets in the narthex. Also….save the date and get involved with the Fish and Chips Dinner (fund-raiser for parking lot) on May 5th.
+ + + + + + + + +
Lent 2011- Day 10
Penitential
There is a proper penitence
that leads across this forward-leaning season,
no mere regret or manufactured mortifying,
no self-imposed remorse about
those mild suburban sins that spot
and stain the corners of our copy books,
rather a purging
as of earth preparing Springtime,
a melting, washing action like the rain,
a breaking up and turning over
of the soil that is the human soul,
a casting off of chrysalis
that old and wrinkled yet familiar skin
before the aching ecstasy of flight
of wings unfolding iridescence
to the new spilled light.
- J. Barrie Shepherd
Blessings,
Vicki McGrath+
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