It is good to be back from vacation and looking forward to starting the program year. Many of you have been involved in all the things that have gone on here at All Saints’ in the last month. The Rummage Sale is off to a great start; Tyler Harris and Matt Hunt did a great deal of weeding and mulching; Bill Smullen worked on getting rainwater overflow from the church roof diverted away from the building; Charlie Hogan has continued to shepherd the Memorial Garden and other plantings, making sure they are watered; Roger Kosempel has been in diligent contact with our general contractor, engineer, and paving contractor; Steve Liesch, Janet Gibbs, Frank McGrath, Susan LeVan, Tom Day, and Jody Doktor who all helped to lead worship on Morning Prayer Sundays, as well as all those who welcomed and assisted our guest clergy; those who helped with getting Charlie White to and from church; and all the rest of you who contributed your prayers and presence – thank you! It’s so good to know that I can step back for a few weeks and know that the parish will continue to exercise faithful and competent leadership, worship and Christian witness.
There is a lot of good information in this e-mail about all the different events and opportunities coming up – see below,
especially the Ice Cream Social, Welcome Sunday, Rummage Sale and the start of Sunday School. Work on the parking lot is continuing, and will for several weeks. Please be careful as you walk in the parking lot. The ground is quite rough, and parking will continue to be tight. Thank you for your patience over the next few weeks.
This Sunday we are on our regular schedule: 8 and 10 am; music and child care at 10; birthday and anniversary prayers at both services. The start of the school year is often a time that people who are new in town are exploring church communities. Please be sure to welcome guests, invite them to refreshments (after the 10 am service), and help to make them feel at home in friendly and gentle ways, as you do so well. And if you find yourself welcoming an old-timer you haven’t met before, then you can both have a good laugh and be glad you’ve finally met! I know some of you will be away for the holiday weekend, but I look forward to seeing many of you - if not this week, then next. Happy Labor Day weekend!
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EVENTS
Welcome Sunday Hot Dog Picnic – next Sunday, September 8th at 11:15 am. We look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones. Plan to bring a salad, side dish or dessert. Sign up on the sheet in the Narthex to let us know who can come, and what you can bring/how you can help.
Dedication of the New Parish House Entryway and Open House - September 29th at 11 am. The Rev. Canon Greg
Jacobs from the diocese will be here to help us celebrate, and we will hold an Open House for our neighbors and friends.
FORMATION
Ice Cream Social – September 6th at 7 pm on the Parish House lawn. All Sunday School kids, families and teachers! Come and greet one another after the summer, meet your teachers and see where your classrooms are. Sign-up on the sheet in the Narthe or e-mail us to let us know you are coming.
Sunday School starts next week – September 8! Pre-K-Grade 1 meets in Parish House-Lower Room; Grades 2-5 meet in the
Undercroft large classroom; Grades 6-8 in the Rath House living room; High School class meets (until after Rummage Sale) in the Undercroft-Rainbow room. Calendars will be e-mailed home; there will also be some to pick up on the Narthex table, and registration forms for new families. And we are always happy to have parents who want to help with this ministry. Speak to Jackie Sullivan for more information 732-469-9116.
The Bible Challenge /Bible Study morning group meets on Wednesdays at 10:15 am in the Rath House. The Wednesday evening group meets at 7:45 pm in the Rath House on the 2nd & 4th weeks, preceded by Evening Prayer at 7:15 pm. Where are we in our Bible Challenge? Today (8/29) is Day 200! The readings for today are Proverbs 13-15, Psalm 14, and Ephesians 4. Going forward, we are reading three chapters of the Old Testament, a Psalm and a chapter of the New Testament each day
(except Sunday!). If you’d like to jump in with either group, you are most welcome to do so. No previous experience with Bible study needed!
Women’s Book Group meets on Wednesday, September 18th at 7:30 pm in the Rath House. We will be discussing The Beautiful Mystery, by Louise Penney. “An entire mystery novel centering on Gregorian chants (whose curiously hypnotic allure is called the “beautiful mystery”)? Yes, indeed, and in the hands of the masterful Penny, the topic proves every bit as able to transfix readers as the chants do their listeners.” — Booklist Hope to see you then; happy reading!
WORSHIP
Adult Choir & Junior Choir rehearsals will start Thursday, September 5. If you like to sing, please consider giving choir a try; newcomers are always welcome! Junior Choir is open to all boys and girls in grade 3 and older. They meet weekly on Thursdays
from 5:00-6:15pm to rehearse in the choir room in the Undercroft of the church. Adult Choir is open to all voice parts and practice on Thursdays from 7:30-9:00 pm. The show goes live on Sundays at 10:00 am! For more information, email Dr. Jody: drjodydoktor@gmail.com
All God’s Children, our service for special needs kids and their families, will resume on Sunday, September 15th at 12
noon. We welcome the community to this non-denominational Christian service designed to engage children with Autism,
ADHD, ADD, Down syndrome or any other developmental, emotional or physical challenges. Please extend an invitation to those who might be interested; all are welcome! Contact Mother Vicki with questions.
Mid-Week Services – Evening Prayer, Wednesdays at 7:15 pm (2nd& 4th weeks); Eucharist and Healing Prayer, Thursdays at 7 am (followed by a light breakfast). Come for a mid-week faith boost!
FUN & FUNDRAISING
We Need Your RUMMAGE – and Labor Day is a great time to clean out your attic, garage, basement, closets, etc.!
The rummage sale is Saturday, September 21st. September 15th is the last day that we accept rummage. Let your neighbors and friends know—we’d love their treasures too! You can drop off your donations after church on Sundays; anytime someone is in the church office (Vicki or Susie can let you in), or during the following times: Sept. 8th: 6:00–8:00pm, Sept. 16th: 6:00–8:00pm.And if those dates don’t work, give Kimberly Celeste a call; she’ll set up a time that works for you!
Rummage YES: Toys, furniture, small appliances, house wares, holiday decorations, electronics, boutique items, wall art, yard/garden equipment…almost anything that is clean and in working order. Remember to pick up a charitable deduction receipt when you donate.
Rummage NO: Clothes, shoes, tires, children’s car seats, large tube TVs, VCR tapes, books for grown-ups.
Other ways to help. Please sign-up in the Narthex to help with sorting, pricing, baking, set up, food sale and clean up orchestration. Your time and help make this our most profitable fundraiser. Questions? Speak to Kimberly Celeste or Charlotte Davis.
Argyle Fish & Chips is Thursday, October 17th. Suzanne Traub and Betsy Wallace will co-chair this event. We aim to raise over $2000 this year; please help it be a success again this year. Look soon for a sign up for ways to help out. Hold the date and be sure to invite your friends and neighbors.
COMMUNITY HOSPITALITY
Call for Artists: All Saints’ Community Art Show – We welcome parish artists and their friends – adults and children – to exhibit at our second annual show on October 20th. Each artist may contribute 2 or 3 pieces in whatever medium they choose; all artwork must be ready for hanging or presentation. There will be a nominal entry fee. Please let Nancy Mink know if you are interested in participating: mink88@verizon.net
HELPING HANDS
Our deliveries to the food pantry Food for Friends (at St. John’s, Dover) have continued throughout the summer. Thank you – your support has been critical! Please remember to pick up some non-perishables for the food barrel when you shop. Need some suggestions? Rice, beans, vegetables/fruit, Parmalaat milk, peanut butter, whole wheat crackers, pasta, cooking oil, dried fruit,
canned tuna, soups, stews, juice boxes, etc.
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
The wheelchair lift will be inspected on Friday. Our painter will return next week to finish the interior painting and exterior trim. The pavers will continue to install the Belgium block curbing next week; the front step and handicap ramp can then be installed; then on to the repaving the entire lot. Parking will continue to be tight or scarce. Please carpool or park off-site and walk, if you can. Thanks for your patience. We can’t wait to have a new parking lot to compliment the new addition!
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As we celebrate Labor Day, give thanks for the ability and opportunity to work, and pray for those who need work.
O God, your unfailing providence sustains the world we live
in and the life we live:
Watch over those, both night and day,
who work while others sleep,
and grant that we may never
forget that our common life depends upon each other's toil;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ~ Book of Common Prayer, Compline, page 132
Blessings,
Vicki McGrath+