Dear Friends in Christ,
This Sunday, November 12 at both 8 and 10 am, we will bless the Pledge Cards that have been received for the mission of ministry of Christ’s work in and through All Saints’ for 2018. You may put your pledge card in the offering plate if you haven’t already sent it in. If you still need a card, pledge packets with a card and information are in the Narthex. You may return your card to the office via US mail or the mail slot in the Rath House door. Your participation and support of our parish are very important. Thank you for your prayerful consideration as we work together to make our mission of following Jesus in our community and in our surrounding communities a reality.
Here is this week’s e-letter. Take a look at the announcements below, especially these highlights.
WORSHIP
Thanksgiving Worship, Two Opportunities this Year:
Neighborhood Thanksgiving Service, Sunday, Nov. 19 at 4 pm - The service is sponsored jointly by the Christian Community of Long Hill and All Saints’. It will include readings, hymns, prayers and music in the Thanksgiving tradition. The public - members of all faiths and no particular faith - is invited to gather with neighbors, friends, and family to give thanks to God for all our blessings, and to celebrate the holiday with a spirit of gratitude and generosity.
and
Thanksgiving Day - Thursday, Nov. 23 at 10 am.
Celebrate Thanksgiving with a simple, intimate service of Communion and Hymns. Put the turkey in the oven and then come and give thanks to God!
CHRISTIAN FORMATION
The Pilgrim study group meets Monday nights at 7 pm in the Rath House. The topic is for this six-week series is the Eucharist. This course is designed to help Christians who are new in their faith, as well as those with long experience, learn more about following and growing in Christ. If you are interested, please speak to Mother Vicki or email her at allsaints_rector@hotmail.com.
Bible Study meets on Wed., Nov. 11 at 10:15 in the Rath House. We’ll be discussing 1 Corinthians, chapter 10. You are welcome to join us whenever you can; no experience needed!
PARISH COMMUNICATIONS
Parish Photos Wanted! We always need and welcome photos of All Saints’ events, people, and services throughout the year. They don’t have to be fancy or posed. Candids on your phone camera are great! You can e-mail them to the general address above and/or post them to the parish Facebook page.
E-mail Address Reminder: some of our e-mail addresses changed in July, due to a change in Verizon.
Parish Administrator Susie Harris’ address is
allsaints_church@hotmail.com.
Mother Vicki’s address is
allsaints_rector@hotmail.com.
The general parish address remains
allstsmill@hotmail.com.
Please adjust your address books. Thanks!
AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Ann Golden to be honored at Good Scout Awards Dinner, Nov. 29. This Boy Scout Council dinner honors volunteers in our local community while raising funds for the Scouting program. One of this year’s honorees is Ann Golden – our neighbor, Charlie White’s guardian, and a BSA Troop 56 mother and grandmother. We are all invited. Flyers are available on the table in the Narthex. If you are interested in going, please speak to Mother Vicki and we will try to put together an All Saints’ table.
HELPING HANDS
12 Baskets Food Pantry News - Last month we held our first walk-in food distribution for the community. We served six families with eggs, vegetables, bacon, and non-perishables on that day, and have assisted them all at least once since then. We have also continued to distribute food to seniors on fixed incomes at the LH Senior Center, to Vets in Lyons and at the VA retreats at Trinity House in Stirling, and to St. John’s, Dover. Because we have a refrigerator and now have formal open hours once a month, we are eligible to receive free dairy and produce from the Community Food Bank of NJ, along with the shelf-stable foods we purchase from them. Our next open distribution day will be Sat., Nov. 25, 9 am-1 pm in the Parish Hall. This week’s order of 800 lbs of food cost $46! Your contributions to the food pantry ministry make all this possible. Thank you!
Winter Soup is now available to take home after Church on Sundays during coffee hour ($5 quart/$3 pint – frozen; please return the containers). It is also available to take to sick or shut-in parishioners. The current offering is turkey rice, and two kinds of applesauce.
EXPANDED ADVENT
Last year we experimented with celebrating the last two Sundays after Pentecost as the Second and First Sundays before Advent. Why? December in our culture is so full of Christmas preparations that we have little space to keep the Advent themes of judgment, preparation for Christ’s Second Coming, and hope for a renewed Creation in the Age to Come; all as important as preparing for the Holy Child. This also connects with the ancient Celtic Christian practice of Advent as a seven-week season that a number of different churches are moving towards recovering.
What does this look like? On 11/19 we’ll use the Advent colors, move to Advent service music and Prayers of the People, and include one Advent hymn. The Advent Wreath and greens on the altar will wait until the start of Advent Season proper (12/3).
Our hope is that we will have time to be more reflective and prayerful during this spiritually rich and important season, knowing that Christ comes to us as the Lord of Creation at his Second Coming, as well as the Baby in the Manger.
FUN & FRIENDSHIP
Mah Jonhgg, Anyone? Mahjongg is a game of skill, strategy, and calculation and involves a degree of chance, akin to rummy, that originated in China. Kathy Pfeil is offering beginning lessons (a series of three) to All Saints’ folk for a small fee. A group would gather at a mutually convenient time: week days, week nights, or weekends – and could grow into monthly or weekly games. You will need to purchase outdated American Mah Jongg cards (2017-2017) to learn on. They can be found at the National Mah Jongg League here: https://www.nationalmahjonggleague.org/store.aspx#
Please e-mail or phone Kathy with comments or questions, including preferred times and days for meeting – 908-350-8012 or kathypiff@gmail.com.
DIOCESAN NEWS
Diocesan Website – here’s the link for news and information from our Diocese of Newark: http://dioceseofnewark.org/
PARISH CALENDAR
11/13 Evening Prayer Church 6:30 pm
Pilgrim Discussion Group Rath House 7:00 pm
11/14 Finance Committee Rath House 7:30 pm
11/15 Bible Study Rath House 10:15 am
11/16 Communion, Healing Prayer Church, 7:00 am
Junior Choir Choir Room 5:30 pm
Adult Choir Choir Room 7:30 pm
For a full schedule of our buildings check the website calendar www.allsaintsmillington.org.
CHRISTIAN PRACTICES
Apostles’ Shields
Around the walls of All Saints’ Church are twelve shields with the symbols of each of the Twelve Apostles on them – Jesus’ inner circle during his earthly ministry, and those who became the leaders and prime Gospel-message bearers of the New Testament Church. Take a look at the two pictures at the end of this post for a description of each symbol. To learn more about each Apostle, you can look them up by name on Wikipedia, or go to the online version of Holy Women, Holy Men and search for a brief biography of each one (and lots of other Saints, capital “S” and small “s”!): http://www.diobeth.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/HolyWomenHolyMen-1.pdf
Question for Refection: What kind of artwork draws you closest to God? Something realistic, like a photo? A painting a Biblical scene in traditional Biblical clothing? A Biblical topic interpreted in a contemporary way? A more free-form photo, collage, sculpture, or painting? If you were to draw, paint, make a photo of God, what would it look like?
+ + + + + + +
Many of you know that All Saints’ parishioner Randy Gaulke has been in France for the last six months, giving tours of the World War I battlefields in this centennial time of that conflict. Here is a link to Randy’s website: http://meuse-argonne.com/. His work has helped to bring understanding, comfort, and closure to families looking for information about loved ones who served and died, as well as a greater understanding of the Meuse-Argonne offensive that involved so many American troops: 1.2 million, with an estimated 110,000 thousand casualties (more than 2,300 casualties per day). In our prayers this Veterans’ Day (originally Armistice Day, remembering the cessation of hostilities on November 11, 1918), please remember especially all those who served and died in that conflict.
A Prayer for Veteran’s Day
Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be, remembering always those who have given their lives in the service of our country and in the cause of peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ~ Book of Common Prayer, page 823 (edt'd.)
Blessings, Vicki+
This Sunday, November 12 at both 8 and 10 am, we will bless the Pledge Cards that have been received for the mission of ministry of Christ’s work in and through All Saints’ for 2018. You may put your pledge card in the offering plate if you haven’t already sent it in. If you still need a card, pledge packets with a card and information are in the Narthex. You may return your card to the office via US mail or the mail slot in the Rath House door. Your participation and support of our parish are very important. Thank you for your prayerful consideration as we work together to make our mission of following Jesus in our community and in our surrounding communities a reality.
Here is this week’s e-letter. Take a look at the announcements below, especially these highlights.
- Pledge Cards (Stewardship)
- Neighborhood Thanksgiving Service (Worship)
- Ann Golden Honoree, Good Scout Award Dinner (Around the Neighborhood)
- Food Pantry News (Helping Hands)
- Prayer for Veterans' Day (Christian Practices)
WORSHIP
Thanksgiving Worship, Two Opportunities this Year:
Neighborhood Thanksgiving Service, Sunday, Nov. 19 at 4 pm - The service is sponsored jointly by the Christian Community of Long Hill and All Saints’. It will include readings, hymns, prayers and music in the Thanksgiving tradition. The public - members of all faiths and no particular faith - is invited to gather with neighbors, friends, and family to give thanks to God for all our blessings, and to celebrate the holiday with a spirit of gratitude and generosity.
and
Thanksgiving Day - Thursday, Nov. 23 at 10 am.
Celebrate Thanksgiving with a simple, intimate service of Communion and Hymns. Put the turkey in the oven and then come and give thanks to God!
CHRISTIAN FORMATION
The Pilgrim study group meets Monday nights at 7 pm in the Rath House. The topic is for this six-week series is the Eucharist. This course is designed to help Christians who are new in their faith, as well as those with long experience, learn more about following and growing in Christ. If you are interested, please speak to Mother Vicki or email her at allsaints_rector@hotmail.com.
Bible Study meets on Wed., Nov. 11 at 10:15 in the Rath House. We’ll be discussing 1 Corinthians, chapter 10. You are welcome to join us whenever you can; no experience needed!
PARISH COMMUNICATIONS
Parish Photos Wanted! We always need and welcome photos of All Saints’ events, people, and services throughout the year. They don’t have to be fancy or posed. Candids on your phone camera are great! You can e-mail them to the general address above and/or post them to the parish Facebook page.
E-mail Address Reminder: some of our e-mail addresses changed in July, due to a change in Verizon.
Parish Administrator Susie Harris’ address is
allsaints_church@hotmail.com.
Mother Vicki’s address is
allsaints_rector@hotmail.com.
The general parish address remains
allstsmill@hotmail.com.
Please adjust your address books. Thanks!
AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Ann Golden to be honored at Good Scout Awards Dinner, Nov. 29. This Boy Scout Council dinner honors volunteers in our local community while raising funds for the Scouting program. One of this year’s honorees is Ann Golden – our neighbor, Charlie White’s guardian, and a BSA Troop 56 mother and grandmother. We are all invited. Flyers are available on the table in the Narthex. If you are interested in going, please speak to Mother Vicki and we will try to put together an All Saints’ table.
HELPING HANDS
12 Baskets Food Pantry News - Last month we held our first walk-in food distribution for the community. We served six families with eggs, vegetables, bacon, and non-perishables on that day, and have assisted them all at least once since then. We have also continued to distribute food to seniors on fixed incomes at the LH Senior Center, to Vets in Lyons and at the VA retreats at Trinity House in Stirling, and to St. John’s, Dover. Because we have a refrigerator and now have formal open hours once a month, we are eligible to receive free dairy and produce from the Community Food Bank of NJ, along with the shelf-stable foods we purchase from them. Our next open distribution day will be Sat., Nov. 25, 9 am-1 pm in the Parish Hall. This week’s order of 800 lbs of food cost $46! Your contributions to the food pantry ministry make all this possible. Thank you!
Winter Soup is now available to take home after Church on Sundays during coffee hour ($5 quart/$3 pint – frozen; please return the containers). It is also available to take to sick or shut-in parishioners. The current offering is turkey rice, and two kinds of applesauce.
EXPANDED ADVENT
Last year we experimented with celebrating the last two Sundays after Pentecost as the Second and First Sundays before Advent. Why? December in our culture is so full of Christmas preparations that we have little space to keep the Advent themes of judgment, preparation for Christ’s Second Coming, and hope for a renewed Creation in the Age to Come; all as important as preparing for the Holy Child. This also connects with the ancient Celtic Christian practice of Advent as a seven-week season that a number of different churches are moving towards recovering.
What does this look like? On 11/19 we’ll use the Advent colors, move to Advent service music and Prayers of the People, and include one Advent hymn. The Advent Wreath and greens on the altar will wait until the start of Advent Season proper (12/3).
Our hope is that we will have time to be more reflective and prayerful during this spiritually rich and important season, knowing that Christ comes to us as the Lord of Creation at his Second Coming, as well as the Baby in the Manger.
FUN & FRIENDSHIP
Mah Jonhgg, Anyone? Mahjongg is a game of skill, strategy, and calculation and involves a degree of chance, akin to rummy, that originated in China. Kathy Pfeil is offering beginning lessons (a series of three) to All Saints’ folk for a small fee. A group would gather at a mutually convenient time: week days, week nights, or weekends – and could grow into monthly or weekly games. You will need to purchase outdated American Mah Jongg cards (2017-2017) to learn on. They can be found at the National Mah Jongg League here: https://www.nationalmahjonggleague.org/store.aspx#
Please e-mail or phone Kathy with comments or questions, including preferred times and days for meeting – 908-350-8012 or kathypiff@gmail.com.
DIOCESAN NEWS
Diocesan Website – here’s the link for news and information from our Diocese of Newark: http://dioceseofnewark.org/
PARISH CALENDAR
11/13 Evening Prayer Church 6:30 pm
Pilgrim Discussion Group Rath House 7:00 pm
11/14 Finance Committee Rath House 7:30 pm
11/15 Bible Study Rath House 10:15 am
11/16 Communion, Healing Prayer Church, 7:00 am
Junior Choir Choir Room 5:30 pm
Adult Choir Choir Room 7:30 pm
For a full schedule of our buildings check the website calendar www.allsaintsmillington.org.
CHRISTIAN PRACTICES
Apostles’ Shields
Around the walls of All Saints’ Church are twelve shields with the symbols of each of the Twelve Apostles on them – Jesus’ inner circle during his earthly ministry, and those who became the leaders and prime Gospel-message bearers of the New Testament Church. Take a look at the two pictures at the end of this post for a description of each symbol. To learn more about each Apostle, you can look them up by name on Wikipedia, or go to the online version of Holy Women, Holy Men and search for a brief biography of each one (and lots of other Saints, capital “S” and small “s”!): http://www.diobeth.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/HolyWomenHolyMen-1.pdf
Question for Refection: What kind of artwork draws you closest to God? Something realistic, like a photo? A painting a Biblical scene in traditional Biblical clothing? A Biblical topic interpreted in a contemporary way? A more free-form photo, collage, sculpture, or painting? If you were to draw, paint, make a photo of God, what would it look like?
+ + + + + + +
Many of you know that All Saints’ parishioner Randy Gaulke has been in France for the last six months, giving tours of the World War I battlefields in this centennial time of that conflict. Here is a link to Randy’s website: http://meuse-argonne.com/. His work has helped to bring understanding, comfort, and closure to families looking for information about loved ones who served and died, as well as a greater understanding of the Meuse-Argonne offensive that involved so many American troops: 1.2 million, with an estimated 110,000 thousand casualties (more than 2,300 casualties per day). In our prayers this Veterans’ Day (originally Armistice Day, remembering the cessation of hostilities on November 11, 1918), please remember especially all those who served and died in that conflict.
A Prayer for Veteran’s Day
Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be, remembering always those who have given their lives in the service of our country and in the cause of peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ~ Book of Common Prayer, page 823 (edt'd.)
Blessings, Vicki+
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