Dear Friends in Christ,
It’s hard to believe January is almost over! February brings its own themes and focus to our parish life. The Feast of the Presentation this Sunday (“Candlemas”), our Annual Meeting, a fun social event in the Grateful Gathering/Murder Mystery Dinner, and then Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper a few days later. Through all of it, the theme of the Light of Christ continues – in our worship, in our parish life, and in our hearts and the way we live in the world.
+ + + + + + +
Here are this week’s announcements, especially:
Annual Parish Meeting will be Sunday, February 9 at 11:15 am in the Parish House. We’ll elect new Vestry members and deputies to Diocesan Convention. We’ll hear from our parish clergy and lay leaders. And we’ll have time for discussion and fellowship with fellow parishioners. Please plan to attend this important event in the life of our parish.
The following people are standing for election (as of 1/30/2020): Linda Kestler -Warden; Randy Gaulke, Steve Kowalik-Vestry; Waring Webb-Convention Deputy.
Grateful Gathering: February 22, 6:00 pm, Parish Hall - Murder Mystery Dinner Night! This is a fun event to gather together as a parish and spend an evening together. Primarily for adults, it’s appropriate for youth in middle school and older, also. Table teams will work together to solve the mystery of a murder drama with a 1920’s/Jazz Age theme: “Stiffed at Speakeasy”. Dinner will be catered at $15 per person; you bring a dessert or appetizer. Laurie Gaulke is our director; she and Patricia Vovchansky will need help to set up and decorate. There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex to volunteer. Look for the online invite in your inbox, bring your friends and join us for a fun evening!
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, Feb. 25, 5:45-7:30 pm. Burning of the Palms, 5:30 pm. Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday – traditionally a time for using up all the butter/oil/sweets in the house – hence the pancakes! It’s also the day to burn last year’s Palm Sunday palms to make ashes for Ash Wednesday. If you have last year’s palms, please bring them.$5 per person/$20 maximum per household; kids under age 3 are free. Sign up on the sheet in the Narthex so we know you are coming and if you can help set-up/serve/clean-up. Thanks!
WORSHIP
This Sunday, Feb. 2, is Candlemas, also known as the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple. It recalls the day that Mary and Joseph took the baby Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem to give thanks for his birth through the customary offerings (Luke 2:28-31). There they met Anna and Simeon, who recognized Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. Simeon’s words of joy and thanksgiving are what we know as the canticle Nunc dimittis.
The name Candlemas comes from the traditional candlelight procession into the church, recalling Simeon’s words, “A light to enlighten the nations.” It is also the day, in many churches, when the candles to be used at the altar throughout the year are blessed. In this procession we are reminded that Jesus is the Light of the world, and that we meet Christ in our worship and in the Eucharist, just as Anna and Simeon met him in the Temple.
This Week: Family Service at 10 am. No Sunday School. Children worship with their families.
Ash Wednesday, February 26. Eucharist & Ashes will be offered at 9:30 am and 7:30 pm. You can also Drop-in for Ashes & Prayer between 11:45 am-1:00 pm.
STEWARDSHIP
Pledge Envelopes are available to be picked up in the Narthex on Sunday. If you don’t see your box, or if you now would like weekly offering envelopes, there are extras—pick up a box. You can use them even if you haven’t pledged.
New this year: the envelopes are not numbered by donor, if you are giving cash, be sure to write your name on the envelope so we can include it in your pledge statement.
ShopRite Cards – buy a ShopRite gift card for your own groceries or as a gift for someone else. You pay face value and All Saints’ gets 5%. See Barbara Barbeau or call the Parish Office.
OUTREACH
Family Promise: March 9 is our next date to serve at the homeless shelter program when it is hosted at Trinity House in Stirling. We always love to have new folks be part of this wonderful outreach ministry – cooking, greeting/visiting with shelter guests, staying overnight at Trinity House in a private room. Interested – want to help? Speak with Afsaneh Thursfield, faerietale@hotmail.com.
Soup Ministry - Winter Soup is 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. Varieties available this week: Chicken Noodle, Minestrone, French Onion, Cream of Mushroom. Questions? Speak to Jane Hayden or Kathy Pfeil.
CHRISTIAN FORMATION
No Sunday School this week because of Family Sunday.
Prince Caspian Film - on Sunday, February 16 at 4:00 pm we'll have a screening of Prince Caspian (based on C.S. Lewis' book) in the Lower Room of the Parish House! This is a follow-up to our Narnia Book group, and it's open to all- adults and kids alike...even if you've never read the book! Hope to see you there.
Bible Study will meets on Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 10:15am in the Rath House, discussing Revelation, Chapter 17. New folks are always welcome. Questions? Speak to Mother Vicki.
CONVENT CORNER@CSJB in MENDHAM
You’re invited to the Convent! If any All Saints parishioners would like to have a tour of the Convent, walk our outdoor labyrinth, stop by for noonday prayer or join us for lunch on a Sunday after church, please contact Sister Monica Clare at srmc@csjb.org. Since one of our primary ministries is hospitality, we always welcome visitors.
Winter SEARCH Program, Feb. 14-17 at the Convent. Our SEARCH program is not only for those feeling called to be Sisters, but for anyone who is hoping to determine God's call in their lives, whatever that call may be. Our program includes classes in prayer, time for discussions with individual Sisters and participation our Divine Office and daily Eucharist among other activities. Please call Sister Pamela at 973-543-4641 ext. 9 or email sr-pamela@csjb.org for more information.
PARISH CALENDAR
2/5 Bible Study Rath House, 10:15 am
2/6 Eucharist & Healing Prayer, 7:00 am, Church
Junior Choir, 5:30 pm, Choir Room
Adult Choir, 7:30 pm, Choir Room
For a full schedule of our buildings check the website calendar www.allsaintsmillington.org
CHRISTIAN PRACTICES
The Way of Love: Rooted in Jesus 2020 – The conference I attended in Atlanta last week was a wonderful event. There were 1500 Episcopalians from all over the Church gathered to think, learn, discuss, and pray about all of the many aspects of being disciples (followers) of Jesus. Workshops and events were offered in seven different areas: Preaching, Formation (aka Christian education), Stewardship, Evangelism, Leadership, Communications, and Mission.
During the conference the Diocese of Atlanta hosted an Episcopal Revival with 2000 people in the gym of Clark Atlanta University, and our wonderful Presiding Bishop Michael Curry preached, along with talks/testimonies from people in four different areas of the diocese’s work: youth, prisoners, veterans, and refugees. The music was varied, up-beat, and multi-cultural. You can watch the video here: https://livestream.com/accounts/12656718/events/8966611/videos/201060770/player?width=560&height=315&enableInfo=true&defaultDrawer=&autoPlay=true&mute=false The actual event starts at minute 10 and the Bishop Curry start at 1hour, 35 minutes.
There was also an address by the Rev. Dr. William Barber, a Disciples of Christ minister and president of Repairers of the Breach. In many ways, Dr. Barber and those who work with him have picked up some of the threads of Dr. Martin Luther King’s work. The link to the conference website with the video of Dr. Barber’s address and other resources is here: https://rootedinjesus.church/videos/
My primary take-away from the conference is the importance of linking our evangelism with our formation as Christians. We can invite people to a come and see what a Christian community is all about, invite them to church, offer them an experience of God, but if our parish community is not deeply rooted in the practices and prayers of an intentional Christian life, then there will be little for a person new to faith to connect with. Of course this has always been true, but as our surrounding culture gets more secular and more spiritually hungry at the same time, it is even more important for us to feed and water our faith on a regular basis.
Blessings, Vicki+
It’s hard to believe January is almost over! February brings its own themes and focus to our parish life. The Feast of the Presentation this Sunday (“Candlemas”), our Annual Meeting, a fun social event in the Grateful Gathering/Murder Mystery Dinner, and then Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper a few days later. Through all of it, the theme of the Light of Christ continues – in our worship, in our parish life, and in our hearts and the way we live in the world.
+ + + + + + +
Here are this week’s announcements, especially:
- Candlemas (Worship)
- Murder Mystery Dinner Night (Parish Life)
- Annual Meeting (Parish Life)
- Prince Caspian Film (Christian Formation)
Annual Parish Meeting will be Sunday, February 9 at 11:15 am in the Parish House. We’ll elect new Vestry members and deputies to Diocesan Convention. We’ll hear from our parish clergy and lay leaders. And we’ll have time for discussion and fellowship with fellow parishioners. Please plan to attend this important event in the life of our parish.
The following people are standing for election (as of 1/30/2020): Linda Kestler -Warden; Randy Gaulke, Steve Kowalik-Vestry; Waring Webb-Convention Deputy.
Grateful Gathering: February 22, 6:00 pm, Parish Hall - Murder Mystery Dinner Night! This is a fun event to gather together as a parish and spend an evening together. Primarily for adults, it’s appropriate for youth in middle school and older, also. Table teams will work together to solve the mystery of a murder drama with a 1920’s/Jazz Age theme: “Stiffed at Speakeasy”. Dinner will be catered at $15 per person; you bring a dessert or appetizer. Laurie Gaulke is our director; she and Patricia Vovchansky will need help to set up and decorate. There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex to volunteer. Look for the online invite in your inbox, bring your friends and join us for a fun evening!
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, Feb. 25, 5:45-7:30 pm. Burning of the Palms, 5:30 pm. Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday – traditionally a time for using up all the butter/oil/sweets in the house – hence the pancakes! It’s also the day to burn last year’s Palm Sunday palms to make ashes for Ash Wednesday. If you have last year’s palms, please bring them.$5 per person/$20 maximum per household; kids under age 3 are free. Sign up on the sheet in the Narthex so we know you are coming and if you can help set-up/serve/clean-up. Thanks!
WORSHIP
This Sunday, Feb. 2, is Candlemas, also known as the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple. It recalls the day that Mary and Joseph took the baby Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem to give thanks for his birth through the customary offerings (Luke 2:28-31). There they met Anna and Simeon, who recognized Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. Simeon’s words of joy and thanksgiving are what we know as the canticle Nunc dimittis.
The name Candlemas comes from the traditional candlelight procession into the church, recalling Simeon’s words, “A light to enlighten the nations.” It is also the day, in many churches, when the candles to be used at the altar throughout the year are blessed. In this procession we are reminded that Jesus is the Light of the world, and that we meet Christ in our worship and in the Eucharist, just as Anna and Simeon met him in the Temple.
This Week: Family Service at 10 am. No Sunday School. Children worship with their families.
Ash Wednesday, February 26. Eucharist & Ashes will be offered at 9:30 am and 7:30 pm. You can also Drop-in for Ashes & Prayer between 11:45 am-1:00 pm.
STEWARDSHIP
Pledge Envelopes are available to be picked up in the Narthex on Sunday. If you don’t see your box, or if you now would like weekly offering envelopes, there are extras—pick up a box. You can use them even if you haven’t pledged.
New this year: the envelopes are not numbered by donor, if you are giving cash, be sure to write your name on the envelope so we can include it in your pledge statement.
ShopRite Cards – buy a ShopRite gift card for your own groceries or as a gift for someone else. You pay face value and All Saints’ gets 5%. See Barbara Barbeau or call the Parish Office.
OUTREACH
Family Promise: March 9 is our next date to serve at the homeless shelter program when it is hosted at Trinity House in Stirling. We always love to have new folks be part of this wonderful outreach ministry – cooking, greeting/visiting with shelter guests, staying overnight at Trinity House in a private room. Interested – want to help? Speak with Afsaneh Thursfield, faerietale@hotmail.com.
Soup Ministry - Winter Soup is 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. Varieties available this week: Chicken Noodle, Minestrone, French Onion, Cream of Mushroom. Questions? Speak to Jane Hayden or Kathy Pfeil.
CHRISTIAN FORMATION
No Sunday School this week because of Family Sunday.
Prince Caspian Film - on Sunday, February 16 at 4:00 pm we'll have a screening of Prince Caspian (based on C.S. Lewis' book) in the Lower Room of the Parish House! This is a follow-up to our Narnia Book group, and it's open to all- adults and kids alike...even if you've never read the book! Hope to see you there.
Bible Study will meets on Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 10:15am in the Rath House, discussing Revelation, Chapter 17. New folks are always welcome. Questions? Speak to Mother Vicki.
CONVENT CORNER@CSJB in MENDHAM
You’re invited to the Convent! If any All Saints parishioners would like to have a tour of the Convent, walk our outdoor labyrinth, stop by for noonday prayer or join us for lunch on a Sunday after church, please contact Sister Monica Clare at srmc@csjb.org. Since one of our primary ministries is hospitality, we always welcome visitors.
Winter SEARCH Program, Feb. 14-17 at the Convent. Our SEARCH program is not only for those feeling called to be Sisters, but for anyone who is hoping to determine God's call in their lives, whatever that call may be. Our program includes classes in prayer, time for discussions with individual Sisters and participation our Divine Office and daily Eucharist among other activities. Please call Sister Pamela at 973-543-4641 ext. 9 or email sr-pamela@csjb.org for more information.
PARISH CALENDAR
2/5 Bible Study Rath House, 10:15 am
2/6 Eucharist & Healing Prayer, 7:00 am, Church
Junior Choir, 5:30 pm, Choir Room
Adult Choir, 7:30 pm, Choir Room
For a full schedule of our buildings check the website calendar www.allsaintsmillington.org
CHRISTIAN PRACTICES
The Way of Love: Rooted in Jesus 2020 – The conference I attended in Atlanta last week was a wonderful event. There were 1500 Episcopalians from all over the Church gathered to think, learn, discuss, and pray about all of the many aspects of being disciples (followers) of Jesus. Workshops and events were offered in seven different areas: Preaching, Formation (aka Christian education), Stewardship, Evangelism, Leadership, Communications, and Mission.
During the conference the Diocese of Atlanta hosted an Episcopal Revival with 2000 people in the gym of Clark Atlanta University, and our wonderful Presiding Bishop Michael Curry preached, along with talks/testimonies from people in four different areas of the diocese’s work: youth, prisoners, veterans, and refugees. The music was varied, up-beat, and multi-cultural. You can watch the video here: https://livestream.com/accounts/12656718/events/8966611/videos/201060770/player?width=560&height=315&enableInfo=true&defaultDrawer=&autoPlay=true&mute=false The actual event starts at minute 10 and the Bishop Curry start at 1hour, 35 minutes.
There was also an address by the Rev. Dr. William Barber, a Disciples of Christ minister and president of Repairers of the Breach. In many ways, Dr. Barber and those who work with him have picked up some of the threads of Dr. Martin Luther King’s work. The link to the conference website with the video of Dr. Barber’s address and other resources is here: https://rootedinjesus.church/videos/
My primary take-away from the conference is the importance of linking our evangelism with our formation as Christians. We can invite people to a come and see what a Christian community is all about, invite them to church, offer them an experience of God, but if our parish community is not deeply rooted in the practices and prayers of an intentional Christian life, then there will be little for a person new to faith to connect with. Of course this has always been true, but as our surrounding culture gets more secular and more spiritually hungry at the same time, it is even more important for us to feed and water our faith on a regular basis.
Blessings, Vicki+
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