
This is the registration link for all our in-person services and our Rummage Shoppe times. It’s one spot with clearly marked events and services to sign up for: https://reopen.church/r/bloP83YN. And please take a look at our announcements.
- Rummage Shopping Times
- Sunday 8 am, 10 am, 5 pm bulletins, and Zoom info
- Blessing of the Animals
- October Birthday and Anniversary Prayers
- All Saints’ Day Services
Blessing of the Animals – our annual service in honor of St. Francis is Sunday, Oct. 4 at 5 pm. This year it will be held in the church parking lot to give us more room to spread out and will include a Celebration of Creation. It will take the place of our regular 5 pm Evening Prayer service. Bring your pet (on a leash or in a carrier for their comfort; humans need to wear masks)– or a photo of your pet. Register for the service (see link above), print out a copy of the service leaflet attached, and come celebrate the goodness of God’s creation!
All Saints’ Rummage Shoppe Sales Times – Friday, 10/2 2:30-4:30 pm; Saturday, 10/3 9:00-11:30 am. Tell your friends. Come see all the wonderful treasures that are available! Reserve a 30-minute shopping time at the link at the top of the newsletter. Items are also being sold on-line here: https://www.facebook.com/AllSaintsRummageShoppe/ This is an on-going fund-raiser for All Saints’ ministries. Thank you to our Rummage Team for their creativity and resourcefulness!
Bible Study meets Wednesdays at 10:15 am. We are studying parts of the Book of Psalms in the Old Testament – a central part of our worship and prayer life. We meet via Zoom. If you would like to participate or want more information, please e-mail Mother Vicki at allsaints_rector@hotmail.com.
Food Ministry – our Twelve Baskets food pantry serves families and individuals in the Long Hill Township area in several different ways. If you know a person or a family who is struggling to make ends meet and can use food assistance, please have them call the parish office 908-647-0067x4 and leave a secure message.
Mind Your Mask - Important reminders for in-person worship and gatherings!
Please remember to wear your mask and have it cover both your nose and mouth.
Don’t remove it when you are speaking – that defeats the purpose of wearing a mask. Here’s a helpful phrase to remind yourself or someone else: Mind Your Mask (with thanks to the London Underground for inspiration – Mind the Gap). If someone says that to you, they are respectfully asking you to adjust your mask.
Stay at least 6 feet away from anyone you don’t live with, no matter how glad you are to see them.
Doing these things will help to keep you, your families, our parishioners, and our community safe. Thank you!
Other Sunday Worship
1. Sunday 8 am Rite 1 Morning Prayer, Outdoors In-person in the Memorial Garden (weather permitting). Reservations are required; see link above. Bring a lawn chair, the copy of the service leaflet (attached to this e-mail or on the website www.allsaintsmillington.org) or your own Book of Common Prayer; wear your mask.
2. Here are the guidelines for attending in-person services, please them before making a reservation for the first time: http://www.allsaintsmillington.org/uploads/1/2/5/1/1251925/outdoor_worship_at_all_saints_gudelines.pdf . Our outdoor services will continue to adapt and evolve as we evaluate the experience.
3. Sunday 10 am Service of the Word – online via Zoom. What’s the Service of the Word and how is it different from Morning Prayer? The Service of the Word is the first part of Holy Eucharist – hymns, readings, sung Gloria, the Nicene Creed, Prayers of the People, sung Psalm, sermon, confession and absolution, and the Peace. All of this is like our regular pre-COVID in-person service, but without Communion. We’ll be using the Service of the Word for our 10 am worship throughout the month of October. To join us, please send an e-mail to allstsmill@hotmail.com for the Zoom credentials.
Birthday and Anniversary Prayers for the month of October will be offered at all three services this week – for you or anyone in your family.
Save the Date: Sunday, November 1st – All Saints’ Day. This is our parish feast day and we will celebrate this very important day in our parish and in the Church year with two outdoor, in-person celebrations of Holy Eucharist, at 8 & 10 am. More information and details of safety precautions will be coming soon, but please plan to attend. The 10 am service will be live-streamed for those who need to remain at home.
Christian Practices: Creation Care
God has given us a beautiful world to live in and care for – that’s the meaning of the story of the Garden of Eden in Genesis 2. And God always intended us to live in harmony and wise stewardship with all of the life God created.
Back in April when much of the world was in a very strict lock-down due to the pandemic we had many examples of ways that human activity has affected the Earth. Skies quickly became clear of air pollution as cars were not being driven. The water in the canals of Venice became blue, rather than grey, and the dolphins returned to them. Wild goats from the Welsh mountains came down into villages and towns and roamed the streets. The surface of the Earth measurable shook less as trucks, cars, and busses were off the road. Of course, the stilling of human activity could not last, but it gave us a clear picture of some of the ways we affect the world around us.
In recent years Christians of all traditions, as well as many other religious groups, have focused increasingly on caring for creation as an article of faith. Not only are we to be good stewards of the beauty and diversity of life that God has given us, but we know that using God’s resources equitably are part of the purpose of divine justice.
These ideas and concerns are not new; the Psalms, in particular, are full of praise for God’s creation and the right use of its abundance. Since the 13th century we have had the example of St. Francis (among others) who exemplified humble kinship with all creatures and people, especially the poor.
As we are entering the season of financial stewardship and our annual pledge drive, let us remember that our call to be good stewards of all God’s gifts and resources includes our use and care for creation.
The Collect for the Feast of St. Francis
Most high, omnipotent, good Lord, grant your people grace to renounce gladly the vanities of this world; that, following the way of blessed Francis, we may for love of you delight in your whole creation with perfectness of joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. ~ Lesser Feasts and Fasts
Blessings, Vicki+