Dear Friends in Christ,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God: Come let us adore him. ~ antiphon for Trinity Sunday
Welcome back to our regular parish e-letter! We are resuming our regular parish communications schedule with an e-letter on Thursdays, and the Parish Cycle of Prayer and Prayer List on Mondays. There are several announcements, including the information for Sunday’s worship below. Please take a look.
Here are this week’s announcements, especially:
This Sunday is Trinity Sunday. It is also the 100th anniversary of the dedication of Resurrection altar window. We’ll have a special prayer to mark that event as part of our regular service. As a reminder, our service of Morning Prayer will be at 10 am via Facebook Live. The link is here: fb.me/allsaintsmillington. This is a public link. You don’t have to be on Facebook to view it. And our prayer requests during the service are inter-active. The service leaflet is on the home page of the website.
All Sunday worship livestreams will be available as a video to watch any time after 2:00 pm on Sunday on the home page of the website. The music links to the prelude and other musical offerings will also be posted there.
Compline is offered every evening at 9:30 pm on the parish Facebook page: fb.me/allsaintsmillington. What is Compline? It is the service of “bed time prayers” of the Church, found on page 127 of the Prayer Book. This service lasts about 15 minutes and is a wonderful way to wind down from the day before sleep. Try it out!
Virtual Choir – thanks to Alison Siener Brown we are now able to offer videos of our choir singing – each from their own homes! (see the Pentecost anthem on the home page.) The way this works is that Alison sends an audio recording of the parts each singer needs to learn, with ample time to practice. Then they record themselves singing with a taped accompaniment on their phone. Alison collects all the individual videos and edits them into one blended whole. If you would like to be part of this and lend your voice – even if you haven’t been able to be a part of choir before – we would love to have you join in! It will enhance our worship – and is a lot of fun. For more information, please contact Alison at asienerbrown@gmail.com.
PARISH LIFE
Virtual Coffee Hour via Zoom on Sunday at 11:00 am. The link for this was e-mailed to the parish. If you didn’t get the link and would like to join us, e-mail allstsmill@hotmail.com. Come and spend time with your fellow Saints!
Other Zoom Groups have been meeting for fellowship and conversation: Adult Choir, Junior Choir (who have been continuing to learn more about music all through this time), Office Angels (the group that volunteers to help in the Parish Office). If you have an idea for another fellowship/social gathering using this platform, please let us know! Even if you don’t have Zoom on your phone or computer, you can always call in via a landline and be part of the conversation.
CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Narnia Book Club – Sundays at 4:00 pm. We are reading through “The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” (Chronicles of Narnia) by CS Lewis. This week, June 7, we’ll discuss chapters 9, 10 & 11. If you need the Zoom link for this, please e-mail allsaints_rector@hotmail.com and we’ll be glad to include you.
Bible Study meets Wednesdays at 10:15 am. This week, June 10, we’ll start the Letter of James from the New Testament. This is a short book of the Bible – five chapters. James focuses on practical aspects of Christian living. If you haven’t been part of Bible study before, this is a good way to start, and we’ve recently added some new folks, so the group is always evolving. We meet via Zoom. If you would like to participate or want more information, please e-mail Mother Vicki at allsaints_rector@hotmail.com.
OUTREACH
Twelve Baskets Food Pantry continues to serve residents in the Valley View apartments at the V.A. Hospital in Lyons, as well as families in our community. If you know someone who is in need of food, please have them call the Parish Office 908-647-0067 ext. 4. We can supply them with emergency food in a contact-free manner.
STEWARDSHIP
Parish E-Giving – Thank you to everyone who has continued to send in their pledges and contributions! This is vital to the financial health of our parish, and we depend on you. We have recently learned that one of our summer tenants will not be returning this summer – the Little Explorers Camp run by Long Hill Township. That was about $2300 worth of income, and we still have not made a decision about September’s Rummage Sale, which brings in about $10,000. We also have been able to have any other building rental income. We did receive a PPP federal loan that covers eight weeks of payroll and becomes forgivable after we submit further paperwork. What can you do? Please stay up-to-date on your pledge! And now you have the ability to make a direct donation or pledge payment on our website via e-giving; see the green “Donate” button on the home page. This can be a one-time payment or it can be a recurring contribution on a weekly or monthly basis. And, of course, if you are able to make an extra donation during this time, that would be very welcome. It is a stressful time for all of us, but All Saints’ is always here for you, and together we will come through these difficult days. Thank you.
WHAT COMES NEXT?
As we think about the weeks ahead and how and when we can safely return to worshipping in person, there are a variety of concerns and factors to be taken into account. Of course, Governor Murphy will need to further loosen restrictions and Bishop Hughes will need to approve the guidelines the diocesan Journey Forward team are creating before we can apply them to our own parish and have a good, safe plan. Here are some of the areas that need to be incorporated for all churches in our diocese:
Masks will need to be worn.
Singing (even with a mask) is a “super-spreader” activity and will not be possible.
Distance (much more than 6 ft) between worship leaders and congregation as public speaking is also a super spreader of micro-particles.
Cleaning and sanitizing of Church, bathrooms, etc. after every service.
Timing of re-introducing Communion.
Seating in Church with appropriate distance and limited capacity.
Attendance taken at each service so that worshippers can be notified if someone present at that service later becomes sick with the virus.
Continuing to livestream worship for those who can’t or don’t feel ready to come to worship in person, including those in high-risk categories.
Our concern continues to be for the health and well-being our parishioners, their families, and our wider community.
DIOCESAN NEWS
Diocese of Newark Memorial Service for all who have died during restricted distancing protocols – The last three months have been filled with all kinds of sacrifice, probably none greater than the death of loved ones in our communities. These losses were made harder by families unable to grieve with the family of faith. While this service, led by Bishop Hughes, will not replace what has been missed, it will be a time for us to gather as the diocese in memory of those who have died. This service will be held Saturday, June 13, 10 AM on YouTube Live. Please use this form to submit the names of loved ones to be included in the Memorial Service: https://dioceseofnewark.org/form/submit-names-diocesan-memorial-service
Prayers and Reflections on Pandemic, Racism, and Protest – Join online with Bishop Hughes and fellow members of the Diocese of Newark as we respond to the disturbing deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd. This will be a time to share our hopes, worries, and fears in an uncertain time. We will begin and end the evening with prayers of lament and petition. This ancient practice of lament, reflection, petition, and praise is well-documented in the Psalms. It will uphold us as we gather with each other and before God to pray and reflect. We will meet via Zoom at 6:30 PM on both Monday, June 8 and Thursday, June 11. If you would like the Zoom link for this event, please e-mail allstsmill@hotmail.com.
CHRISTIAN PRACTICES
The Communion of Saints includes all those who have gone before us in the faith – those named saints like St. Paul, St. Francis, St. Mary Magdalene, and the small “s” saints known to our local communities and families.
One of the local saints is Edith Seamon Clynes, the woman for whom our altar window was given. Edith was a parishioner, married to Thomas Godfrey Clynes. Shortly after the birth of their second child Richard, she died of septicemia on February 25, 1917. Richard was named for Edith’s father, Dr. Richard Seamon. She was 31 years old at the time of her death. The Clynes lived on Long Hill Road in Stirling, opposite what is now the Shrine of St. Joseph. Edith was buried in Locust Valley, Long Island near her family. The window was dedicated on Pentecost 1920 – June 6 – by the Rt. Rev. Edwin S. Lines, Bishop of the Diocese of Newark, along with the new chancel that had been built at the end of the church to house the altar and choir.
We give thank to God for Edith’s life, and for Thomas’ generosity in offering such an inspiring, comforting, and faithful gift for generations to come. May they rest in the Peace of Christ and rise in the Glory of God.
Blessings, Vicki+
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God: Come let us adore him. ~ antiphon for Trinity Sunday
Welcome back to our regular parish e-letter! We are resuming our regular parish communications schedule with an e-letter on Thursdays, and the Parish Cycle of Prayer and Prayer List on Mondays. There are several announcements, including the information for Sunday’s worship below. Please take a look.
Here are this week’s announcements, especially:
- Trinity Sunday & 100th Anniversary of our Altar Window (Worship)
- Bible Study; Narnia Book Club (Christian Formation)
- Coffee Hour (Parish Life)
- Virtual Choir (Worship)
- Twelve Baskets Food Pantry (Outreach)
- Parish E-Giving (Stewardship)
- Diocesan Memorial Service (Diocesan News)
This Sunday is Trinity Sunday. It is also the 100th anniversary of the dedication of Resurrection altar window. We’ll have a special prayer to mark that event as part of our regular service. As a reminder, our service of Morning Prayer will be at 10 am via Facebook Live. The link is here: fb.me/allsaintsmillington. This is a public link. You don’t have to be on Facebook to view it. And our prayer requests during the service are inter-active. The service leaflet is on the home page of the website.
All Sunday worship livestreams will be available as a video to watch any time after 2:00 pm on Sunday on the home page of the website. The music links to the prelude and other musical offerings will also be posted there.
Compline is offered every evening at 9:30 pm on the parish Facebook page: fb.me/allsaintsmillington. What is Compline? It is the service of “bed time prayers” of the Church, found on page 127 of the Prayer Book. This service lasts about 15 minutes and is a wonderful way to wind down from the day before sleep. Try it out!
Virtual Choir – thanks to Alison Siener Brown we are now able to offer videos of our choir singing – each from their own homes! (see the Pentecost anthem on the home page.) The way this works is that Alison sends an audio recording of the parts each singer needs to learn, with ample time to practice. Then they record themselves singing with a taped accompaniment on their phone. Alison collects all the individual videos and edits them into one blended whole. If you would like to be part of this and lend your voice – even if you haven’t been able to be a part of choir before – we would love to have you join in! It will enhance our worship – and is a lot of fun. For more information, please contact Alison at asienerbrown@gmail.com.
PARISH LIFE
Virtual Coffee Hour via Zoom on Sunday at 11:00 am. The link for this was e-mailed to the parish. If you didn’t get the link and would like to join us, e-mail allstsmill@hotmail.com. Come and spend time with your fellow Saints!
Other Zoom Groups have been meeting for fellowship and conversation: Adult Choir, Junior Choir (who have been continuing to learn more about music all through this time), Office Angels (the group that volunteers to help in the Parish Office). If you have an idea for another fellowship/social gathering using this platform, please let us know! Even if you don’t have Zoom on your phone or computer, you can always call in via a landline and be part of the conversation.
CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Narnia Book Club – Sundays at 4:00 pm. We are reading through “The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” (Chronicles of Narnia) by CS Lewis. This week, June 7, we’ll discuss chapters 9, 10 & 11. If you need the Zoom link for this, please e-mail allsaints_rector@hotmail.com and we’ll be glad to include you.
Bible Study meets Wednesdays at 10:15 am. This week, June 10, we’ll start the Letter of James from the New Testament. This is a short book of the Bible – five chapters. James focuses on practical aspects of Christian living. If you haven’t been part of Bible study before, this is a good way to start, and we’ve recently added some new folks, so the group is always evolving. We meet via Zoom. If you would like to participate or want more information, please e-mail Mother Vicki at allsaints_rector@hotmail.com.
OUTREACH
Twelve Baskets Food Pantry continues to serve residents in the Valley View apartments at the V.A. Hospital in Lyons, as well as families in our community. If you know someone who is in need of food, please have them call the Parish Office 908-647-0067 ext. 4. We can supply them with emergency food in a contact-free manner.
STEWARDSHIP
Parish E-Giving – Thank you to everyone who has continued to send in their pledges and contributions! This is vital to the financial health of our parish, and we depend on you. We have recently learned that one of our summer tenants will not be returning this summer – the Little Explorers Camp run by Long Hill Township. That was about $2300 worth of income, and we still have not made a decision about September’s Rummage Sale, which brings in about $10,000. We also have been able to have any other building rental income. We did receive a PPP federal loan that covers eight weeks of payroll and becomes forgivable after we submit further paperwork. What can you do? Please stay up-to-date on your pledge! And now you have the ability to make a direct donation or pledge payment on our website via e-giving; see the green “Donate” button on the home page. This can be a one-time payment or it can be a recurring contribution on a weekly or monthly basis. And, of course, if you are able to make an extra donation during this time, that would be very welcome. It is a stressful time for all of us, but All Saints’ is always here for you, and together we will come through these difficult days. Thank you.
WHAT COMES NEXT?
As we think about the weeks ahead and how and when we can safely return to worshipping in person, there are a variety of concerns and factors to be taken into account. Of course, Governor Murphy will need to further loosen restrictions and Bishop Hughes will need to approve the guidelines the diocesan Journey Forward team are creating before we can apply them to our own parish and have a good, safe plan. Here are some of the areas that need to be incorporated for all churches in our diocese:
Masks will need to be worn.
Singing (even with a mask) is a “super-spreader” activity and will not be possible.
Distance (much more than 6 ft) between worship leaders and congregation as public speaking is also a super spreader of micro-particles.
Cleaning and sanitizing of Church, bathrooms, etc. after every service.
Timing of re-introducing Communion.
Seating in Church with appropriate distance and limited capacity.
Attendance taken at each service so that worshippers can be notified if someone present at that service later becomes sick with the virus.
Continuing to livestream worship for those who can’t or don’t feel ready to come to worship in person, including those in high-risk categories.
Our concern continues to be for the health and well-being our parishioners, their families, and our wider community.
DIOCESAN NEWS
Diocese of Newark Memorial Service for all who have died during restricted distancing protocols – The last three months have been filled with all kinds of sacrifice, probably none greater than the death of loved ones in our communities. These losses were made harder by families unable to grieve with the family of faith. While this service, led by Bishop Hughes, will not replace what has been missed, it will be a time for us to gather as the diocese in memory of those who have died. This service will be held Saturday, June 13, 10 AM on YouTube Live. Please use this form to submit the names of loved ones to be included in the Memorial Service: https://dioceseofnewark.org/form/submit-names-diocesan-memorial-service
Prayers and Reflections on Pandemic, Racism, and Protest – Join online with Bishop Hughes and fellow members of the Diocese of Newark as we respond to the disturbing deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd. This will be a time to share our hopes, worries, and fears in an uncertain time. We will begin and end the evening with prayers of lament and petition. This ancient practice of lament, reflection, petition, and praise is well-documented in the Psalms. It will uphold us as we gather with each other and before God to pray and reflect. We will meet via Zoom at 6:30 PM on both Monday, June 8 and Thursday, June 11. If you would like the Zoom link for this event, please e-mail allstsmill@hotmail.com.
CHRISTIAN PRACTICES
The Communion of Saints includes all those who have gone before us in the faith – those named saints like St. Paul, St. Francis, St. Mary Magdalene, and the small “s” saints known to our local communities and families.
One of the local saints is Edith Seamon Clynes, the woman for whom our altar window was given. Edith was a parishioner, married to Thomas Godfrey Clynes. Shortly after the birth of their second child Richard, she died of septicemia on February 25, 1917. Richard was named for Edith’s father, Dr. Richard Seamon. She was 31 years old at the time of her death. The Clynes lived on Long Hill Road in Stirling, opposite what is now the Shrine of St. Joseph. Edith was buried in Locust Valley, Long Island near her family. The window was dedicated on Pentecost 1920 – June 6 – by the Rt. Rev. Edwin S. Lines, Bishop of the Diocese of Newark, along with the new chancel that had been built at the end of the church to house the altar and choir.
We give thank to God for Edith’s life, and for Thomas’ generosity in offering such an inspiring, comforting, and faithful gift for generations to come. May they rest in the Peace of Christ and rise in the Glory of God.
Blessings, Vicki+
RSS Feed