Dear Friends in Christ,
Alleluia. Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia! The Easter season continues, and right now the world around us is displaying the glory of God in all its springtime beauty. Give thanks for the goodness of Creation all around us.
+ + + + + + + +
Here are this week’s announcements. Please see especially:
IN MEMORIUM
Helen Ehrlich, April 19, 1926 - March3, 2017. Helen was a long time member of All Saints’ Church before she moved to Massachusetts six years ago. She was buried today at a family cemetery in Manasquan, after her ashes were blessed at the altar of All Saints’ Memorial Garden. Helen’s family will worship with us tomorrow at 10 am. Her son Keith will give a brief reflection on his mother’s faith and ministry. May Helen rest in the Peace of Christ, and rise in the glory of God.
FUN & FUNDRAISERS
Thanks to Jackie Sullivan and everyone who made our community-wide Fish & Chips dinner on Thursday so successful! We served 200 dinners and had lots of diners new to All Saints’.
Cookbooks for Mother’s Day – our parish cookbook “All Saints’ Can Cook!” makes great Mother’s Day gifts. Cost is $15. Please speak to Janice Lettieri or stop by the Parish Office to buy one.
We are looking for “a few good men” to host Coffee Hour on Mother’s Day, May 14. If you can help out, please speak to John McGrath. Thanks.
Parish Life refers to the social events and parties that we have here at All Saints’, just because we enjoy being together and spending time with one another. We are looking to evaluate and refresh some of our current events and explore some new ones – all ideas are welcome! If you are interested in being part of a Parish Life Brainstorming Session (and would be willing to help with at least one of the events we decide on) please send an e-mail to allsaints_rector@hotmail.com. When we have the names of interested people then we can send around an email to find a time to meet. Thanks; remember, All Saints’ informal tag line is “Prayer and a Party”!
HELPING HANDS
Make Sleeping Mats for Homeless Wednesday, May 10 at 7:30 pm in the Parish Hall. We make “plarn” (plastic bag yarn) out of used grocery and newspaper bags, and then crochet a 3’ x 6’ mat out of it. Friends and neighbors are invited to be part of the effort and fellowship Questions? Speak to Susie Harris.
Our Twelve Baskets Food Pantry needs volunteer drivers on a Tuesday or Thursday morning, about once a month, on an as-needed basis – preferably someone with an SUV or larger car who can take 200 lbs of non-perishable food. We need to pick up the food we order from the Community FoodBank of NJ in Hillside, and transport it back to All Saints’. From there, we sort the food and deliver it to the various places it’s needed, including the food pantry we support in Dover. If you can assist with this, or have questions, please speak to Barbara Barbeau. Thanks!
WORSHIP
No Evening Prayer, this Monday, May 1. We’ll be back the following Monday, May 8 at 6 pm in the Church.
Thursday Eucharist and Healing Prayer, 7:00 am, followed by an optional light breakfast in the Rath House.
Both of these times are great mid-week opportunities to stop in, slow down and connect with God and other parishioners!
CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Children’s Eucharistic Instruction – May 8, 15, 22. Second Graders are invited to participate in this Communion Class with Mother Vicki on three Monday afternoons from 4-5:15 pm in the Rath House. This is an important milestone in children’s Christian education. On Pentecost (June 4) the kids in this class will be recognized for having been through this instruction. For some of them this will be their first Communion; for others, they will be learning more about this practice of faith they have already been doing. Please send an e-mail to allsaints_rector@hotmail.com to register or ask questions. If you want your child to participate but the time of the class is not good for you, please be in touch and we can try to work something else out.
New Topic for this Group - Pilgrim, a Course for the Christian Journey: The Beatitudes. Monday nights at 7:00 pm in the Rath House, starting 5/8 and running for 6 weeks. This discussion group is a great way to learn about these central teachings of Jesus, and how we can put them into practice in our lives. You are welcome to drop-in when you can or come every week. Sign up on the sheet in the Narthex to order a book.
Bible Study – Wed, 10:15 am, in the Rath House. This week, 5/3, we are starting a new study – Esther. In this Old Testament book, we’ll be reading through the story of Queen Esther, who saved the Jews of Persia from destruction in the fifth century BCE. Her story is the basis of the Jewish festival of Purim. You are invited to join us! Use one of our Bibles or bring your own.
Crossroads, our diocesan camp & retreat center (Episcopal/Lutheran) in Port Murray, NJ, has programs for kids’ summer camp, family camp, and some year round retreats and programs. New brochures are in the Narthex. Take a look! http://crossroadsretreat.com/
COMMUNICATIONS
Email Changes – Verizon is getting out of the e-mail business. That means the addresses for the allsaints_rector account and the allsaints_admin account will change from Verizon to Hotmail. The Rector account has already been set up and is fully functional. Please send email messages to Vicki+ at allsaints_rector@hotmail.com. The Admin account for Susie is coming soon. The general parish mailbox continues to be allstsmill@hotmail.com. Thanks for making the change!
Connect with us on Facebook at “All Saints' Episcopal/Anglican Church, Millington.” And sign up for our weekly parish e-letter “This Week @All Saints’” by sending an e-mail to allstsmll@hotmail.com.
STEWARDSHIP
Spring Grounds Clean-Up – Next Sunday, May 7 after the 10 am service. Wear your gardening clothes to church, bring a rake, clippers, gloves, etc. We’ll be raking under shrubs, pruning, clearing up brush, and getting the church grounds cleaned up for the spring and summer. Put your name on the sign -up sheet in the Narthex. Questions? Speak to Tom Day.
DIOCESE OF NEWARK….AND BEYOND
Bishop’s Search – in February Bishop Beckwith announced his decision to retire in September 2018. The Standing Committee of the diocesan is charged with overseeing the search process and election of our new bishop. In preparation for that work, our own District 3 met last Sunday afternoon and nominated one clergy and one lay person to serve on either the Search Committee or the Transition Committee. They are the Rev. Susan Saucedo Sica (St. Gregory’s, Parsippany) and Ms. Joan Slepian (Church of the Redeemer, Morristown). We’ll keep you updated about the search process; you can check the Standing Committee’s page on the diocesan website here: http://dioceseofnewark.org/bishop-search . The Standing Committee has asked the diocese to be in prayer throughout this time. We’ll begin using this prayer in our Sunday worship in May. Here is the text for your own use: Gracious God, we, your people in the Diocese of Newark, give you thanks and praise for your work among us and through us, generation to generation. Lead us in the months ahead as we prayerfully search for our next Bishop. Raise up for us a steadfast steward who will embrace our broad and blessed diversity and uphold the apostolic heritage of your Church. Guide us to a faithful witness who speaks the Gospel truth in love and joy, and intimately knows your Word and world. Direct us, your disciples, in our discernment so our faith may increase and our works glorify your Name. All this we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.
Newark “Alumna” Consecrated Bishop in Indiana – on April 29, the Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows was consecrated Bishop of the Diocese of Indianapolis. A native of Staten Island, NY, Jennifer served for several years as the Assistant Rector of St. Peter’s, Morristown. She is the first African-American woman to become a diocesan bishop. Here’s a link to an article at Episcopal News Service: http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2017/04/28/episcopal-church-ready-to-make-history-with-jennifer-baskerville-burrows/ . Jennifer is a great blessing to the Church. Congratulations to her, her husband and their son, and to the good people of the Diocese of Indianapolis!
PARISH CALENDAR
5/3 Bible Study Rath House, 10:15 am
5/4 Holy Eucharist Church, 7:00 am
Small Saints’& Jr Choirs Choir Room, 5:15 pm
Adult Choir Choir Room, 7:30 pm
For a full schedule of our buildings check the website calendar www.allsaintsmillington.org.
CHRISTIAN PRACTICES
Eucharistic Learning & Formation II (aka Mystagogical Catechesis) – The sacrament of Holy Eucharist (Holy Communion, the Lord’s Supper) is a sacrament of unity. It connects us to Christ, to one another, and to all Christians throughout the world and history. That unity comes of course through our focused commitment to following Jesus, but even more by God’s own action in first giving God’s own self for us – and so the invitation to Communion is always God’s invitation.
As I mentioned last week, we have six Eucharistic prayers in our Prayer Book, as well as three others in the Enriching Our Worship supplement (which we use during the Season after Epiphany). Additionally, each national church in the Anglican Communion has its own variants of the Eucharistic prayer. On an historical note – our first American Book of Common Prayer took its Eucharistic prayer from the Scottish Church, not from the English!
What are the elements that go into this prayer – The Great Thanksgiving - that consecrates the bread and wine which we have received as gifts of God’s creative goodness, which we then offer back to God? They are as follows (some of the technical language is in Greek or Latin – your vocabulary words for the week!):
Here is a link to the Eucharistic hymn written by Charles Wesley “Glory, love, and praise, and honor” (#300 in our hymnal), sung by the Choir of Men and Boys of St. Thomas, Fifth Avenue: https://youtu.be/sRmyhixExTs
Easter blessings,
Vicki+
Alleluia. Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia! The Easter season continues, and right now the world around us is displaying the glory of God in all its springtime beauty. Give thanks for the goodness of Creation all around us.
+ + + + + + + +
Here are this week’s announcements. Please see especially:
- Cookbooks on Sale (Fun & Fundraisers)
- Children’s Eucharistic Instruction (Christian Formation)
- Food Ministry drivers needed (Helping Hands)
- Discussion group on The Beatitudes (Christian Formation)
- Spring Grounds Clean-up (Stewardship)
IN MEMORIUM
Helen Ehrlich, April 19, 1926 - March3, 2017. Helen was a long time member of All Saints’ Church before she moved to Massachusetts six years ago. She was buried today at a family cemetery in Manasquan, after her ashes were blessed at the altar of All Saints’ Memorial Garden. Helen’s family will worship with us tomorrow at 10 am. Her son Keith will give a brief reflection on his mother’s faith and ministry. May Helen rest in the Peace of Christ, and rise in the glory of God.
FUN & FUNDRAISERS
Thanks to Jackie Sullivan and everyone who made our community-wide Fish & Chips dinner on Thursday so successful! We served 200 dinners and had lots of diners new to All Saints’.
Cookbooks for Mother’s Day – our parish cookbook “All Saints’ Can Cook!” makes great Mother’s Day gifts. Cost is $15. Please speak to Janice Lettieri or stop by the Parish Office to buy one.
We are looking for “a few good men” to host Coffee Hour on Mother’s Day, May 14. If you can help out, please speak to John McGrath. Thanks.
Parish Life refers to the social events and parties that we have here at All Saints’, just because we enjoy being together and spending time with one another. We are looking to evaluate and refresh some of our current events and explore some new ones – all ideas are welcome! If you are interested in being part of a Parish Life Brainstorming Session (and would be willing to help with at least one of the events we decide on) please send an e-mail to allsaints_rector@hotmail.com. When we have the names of interested people then we can send around an email to find a time to meet. Thanks; remember, All Saints’ informal tag line is “Prayer and a Party”!
HELPING HANDS
Make Sleeping Mats for Homeless Wednesday, May 10 at 7:30 pm in the Parish Hall. We make “plarn” (plastic bag yarn) out of used grocery and newspaper bags, and then crochet a 3’ x 6’ mat out of it. Friends and neighbors are invited to be part of the effort and fellowship Questions? Speak to Susie Harris.
Our Twelve Baskets Food Pantry needs volunteer drivers on a Tuesday or Thursday morning, about once a month, on an as-needed basis – preferably someone with an SUV or larger car who can take 200 lbs of non-perishable food. We need to pick up the food we order from the Community FoodBank of NJ in Hillside, and transport it back to All Saints’. From there, we sort the food and deliver it to the various places it’s needed, including the food pantry we support in Dover. If you can assist with this, or have questions, please speak to Barbara Barbeau. Thanks!
WORSHIP
No Evening Prayer, this Monday, May 1. We’ll be back the following Monday, May 8 at 6 pm in the Church.
Thursday Eucharist and Healing Prayer, 7:00 am, followed by an optional light breakfast in the Rath House.
Both of these times are great mid-week opportunities to stop in, slow down and connect with God and other parishioners!
CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Children’s Eucharistic Instruction – May 8, 15, 22. Second Graders are invited to participate in this Communion Class with Mother Vicki on three Monday afternoons from 4-5:15 pm in the Rath House. This is an important milestone in children’s Christian education. On Pentecost (June 4) the kids in this class will be recognized for having been through this instruction. For some of them this will be their first Communion; for others, they will be learning more about this practice of faith they have already been doing. Please send an e-mail to allsaints_rector@hotmail.com to register or ask questions. If you want your child to participate but the time of the class is not good for you, please be in touch and we can try to work something else out.
New Topic for this Group - Pilgrim, a Course for the Christian Journey: The Beatitudes. Monday nights at 7:00 pm in the Rath House, starting 5/8 and running for 6 weeks. This discussion group is a great way to learn about these central teachings of Jesus, and how we can put them into practice in our lives. You are welcome to drop-in when you can or come every week. Sign up on the sheet in the Narthex to order a book.
Bible Study – Wed, 10:15 am, in the Rath House. This week, 5/3, we are starting a new study – Esther. In this Old Testament book, we’ll be reading through the story of Queen Esther, who saved the Jews of Persia from destruction in the fifth century BCE. Her story is the basis of the Jewish festival of Purim. You are invited to join us! Use one of our Bibles or bring your own.
Crossroads, our diocesan camp & retreat center (Episcopal/Lutheran) in Port Murray, NJ, has programs for kids’ summer camp, family camp, and some year round retreats and programs. New brochures are in the Narthex. Take a look! http://crossroadsretreat.com/
COMMUNICATIONS
Email Changes – Verizon is getting out of the e-mail business. That means the addresses for the allsaints_rector account and the allsaints_admin account will change from Verizon to Hotmail. The Rector account has already been set up and is fully functional. Please send email messages to Vicki+ at allsaints_rector@hotmail.com. The Admin account for Susie is coming soon. The general parish mailbox continues to be allstsmill@hotmail.com. Thanks for making the change!
Connect with us on Facebook at “All Saints' Episcopal/Anglican Church, Millington.” And sign up for our weekly parish e-letter “This Week @All Saints’” by sending an e-mail to allstsmll@hotmail.com.
STEWARDSHIP
Spring Grounds Clean-Up – Next Sunday, May 7 after the 10 am service. Wear your gardening clothes to church, bring a rake, clippers, gloves, etc. We’ll be raking under shrubs, pruning, clearing up brush, and getting the church grounds cleaned up for the spring and summer. Put your name on the sign -up sheet in the Narthex. Questions? Speak to Tom Day.
DIOCESE OF NEWARK….AND BEYOND
Bishop’s Search – in February Bishop Beckwith announced his decision to retire in September 2018. The Standing Committee of the diocesan is charged with overseeing the search process and election of our new bishop. In preparation for that work, our own District 3 met last Sunday afternoon and nominated one clergy and one lay person to serve on either the Search Committee or the Transition Committee. They are the Rev. Susan Saucedo Sica (St. Gregory’s, Parsippany) and Ms. Joan Slepian (Church of the Redeemer, Morristown). We’ll keep you updated about the search process; you can check the Standing Committee’s page on the diocesan website here: http://dioceseofnewark.org/bishop-search . The Standing Committee has asked the diocese to be in prayer throughout this time. We’ll begin using this prayer in our Sunday worship in May. Here is the text for your own use: Gracious God, we, your people in the Diocese of Newark, give you thanks and praise for your work among us and through us, generation to generation. Lead us in the months ahead as we prayerfully search for our next Bishop. Raise up for us a steadfast steward who will embrace our broad and blessed diversity and uphold the apostolic heritage of your Church. Guide us to a faithful witness who speaks the Gospel truth in love and joy, and intimately knows your Word and world. Direct us, your disciples, in our discernment so our faith may increase and our works glorify your Name. All this we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.
Newark “Alumna” Consecrated Bishop in Indiana – on April 29, the Rev. Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows was consecrated Bishop of the Diocese of Indianapolis. A native of Staten Island, NY, Jennifer served for several years as the Assistant Rector of St. Peter’s, Morristown. She is the first African-American woman to become a diocesan bishop. Here’s a link to an article at Episcopal News Service: http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2017/04/28/episcopal-church-ready-to-make-history-with-jennifer-baskerville-burrows/ . Jennifer is a great blessing to the Church. Congratulations to her, her husband and their son, and to the good people of the Diocese of Indianapolis!
PARISH CALENDAR
5/3 Bible Study Rath House, 10:15 am
5/4 Holy Eucharist Church, 7:00 am
Small Saints’& Jr Choirs Choir Room, 5:15 pm
Adult Choir Choir Room, 7:30 pm
For a full schedule of our buildings check the website calendar www.allsaintsmillington.org.
CHRISTIAN PRACTICES
Eucharistic Learning & Formation II (aka Mystagogical Catechesis) – The sacrament of Holy Eucharist (Holy Communion, the Lord’s Supper) is a sacrament of unity. It connects us to Christ, to one another, and to all Christians throughout the world and history. That unity comes of course through our focused commitment to following Jesus, but even more by God’s own action in first giving God’s own self for us – and so the invitation to Communion is always God’s invitation.
As I mentioned last week, we have six Eucharistic prayers in our Prayer Book, as well as three others in the Enriching Our Worship supplement (which we use during the Season after Epiphany). Additionally, each national church in the Anglican Communion has its own variants of the Eucharistic prayer. On an historical note – our first American Book of Common Prayer took its Eucharistic prayer from the Scottish Church, not from the English!
What are the elements that go into this prayer – The Great Thanksgiving - that consecrates the bread and wine which we have received as gifts of God’s creative goodness, which we then offer back to God? They are as follows (some of the technical language is in Greek or Latin – your vocabulary words for the week!):
- The Dialogue (the Sursum Corda), in which celebrant and People begin their thanks praise to God.
- The Proper Preface (“proper” to the church season, day, or theme) which outlines some of God’s great and saving work in Creation, in scriptural history, and in Christ’s Incarnation, Crucifixion, and Resurrection.
- The Sanctus and Benedictus (Holy, holy, holy…) is the angels’ song from the book of Isaiah. This reminds us that we come into God’s presence along with the angels, the Communion of Saints, and all the host of heaven.
- The Words of Institution are the words that Jesus said at the Last Supper when giving the bread and wine of the Passover meal to this disciples: “This is my Body….this is my Blood.”
- The Anamnesis (a Greek word meaning “memorial”) calls to mind Jesus’ saving work in particular, and bids us to participate in it by being aware that it is both eternal and continually present. Part of this is the Memorial Acclamation, which in Prayer A is “Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.”
- The Oblation (Latin for “offering”) in which we offer to God the bread and wine in the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving.
- The Epiclesis (Greek for “invocation”) in which w invoke the Holy Spirit to descend upon the gifts and sanctify them to be the Body and Blood of Jesus.
- And finally, a statement of hope about the fulfillment of God’s kingdom and reign, a doxology, and the congregational assent of the Great Amen.
Here is a link to the Eucharistic hymn written by Charles Wesley “Glory, love, and praise, and honor” (#300 in our hymnal), sung by the Choir of Men and Boys of St. Thomas, Fifth Avenue: https://youtu.be/sRmyhixExTs
Easter blessings,
Vicki+
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