
Saturday is the day for Breakfast with the Bishop. It will be a pleasure to host this event and to have Bishop Hughes get a glimpse of life here at All Saints'. Thanks to everyone who has helped to prepare and to everyone who is attending!
Here are this week’s announcements.
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Please take a look at this week’s announcements, especially:
- Narnia Book Club – Prince Caspian (Christian Formation)
- Trunk or Treat (Parish Life)
- Annual Pledge Campaign (Stewardship)
- Family Promise (Outreach)
- Necrology & All Saints’ Sunday (Worship)
STEWARDSHIP
Annual Pledge Campaign for 2020 – the theme of our financial stewardship for the coming year is Building a Joyful Community. Materials have been sent to your home. Please read them and reflect on the ways God is calling you to financially support God’s work and the mission of All Saints’ Church in our community. Then return your pledge commitment form by Sunday, Nov. 3. Thank you.
Stewardship Prayer
Gracious God, you have blessed us with love and belonging, and companions in our journey of faith; your presence in our lives brings us joy, and you call us to share that joy with others. As we remember all you do for us, may our gratitude overflow in giving from our hearts, trusting always in your care for us and for all whom you have made. We ask this in Jesus’ Name and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Creation Care Team – our next meeting will be Wednesday, November 13 at 6:30 pm in the Rath House. As part of our delving into our stewardship of God’s creation we’ll discuss the short book Hundred Dollar Holiday: The Case for a More Joyful Christmas by Bill McKibben. Anyone who feels interested or called to be a part of this effort to be good stewards of creation (especially here at All Saints’) is welcome to this meeting.
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.
Thank you to Bill Smullen and Roger Kosempel for trimming and resetting the back door of the Church (near the Memorial Garden). It no longer sticks and provides an easy exit when needed. And thanks to Steve Kowalik and everyone who helped us get our grounds ready for Breakfast with the Bishop on Saturday morning.
WORSHIP
Necrology for All Saints’ Sunday – at both of our services on 11/3 we’ll remember all those in our parish family who have died in the past year, and all those in you wish to name who have gone before us in the faith. Please send names to be included in this year’s Necrology to the Parish Office by 10/28.
Family Service & All Saints’ Celebration, Nov. 3 at 10 am. Children should come to worship with their families. No Sunday School. And the Coffee Hour will be a festive event hosted by the Vestry. Come have some delicious food, enjoy the company of your fellow parish Saints and “meet” some of the Saints from ages past!
PARISH LIFE
This Sunday: Trunk or Treat, Oct. 27 - kids wear their costumes, and adults provide Hallowe’en treats. The kids trick-or-treat from car to car in the parking lot, and we have refreshments outside. Please join us for this fun event! If it is pouring rain, we’ll move the party into the Parish Hall.
All Saints’ Cabaret Night is coming on Saturday, November 23, 7:00 pm in the Parish Hall! Music, dessert, adult beverage (optional). Performances by some wonderful local talent. Would you like to perform or help with the event? Speak to Alison Siener Brown or Melissa Pagliaro. Look for your e-vite in your e-mail, invite a friend, and plan to party!
Coffee Hour hosts are needed for November and December. You provide some snacks (e.g. baked goods, fruit, cheese & crackers), juice, and milk or half & half for coffee. If you are unsure about how to make coffee, John McGrath will show you how, or make it for you. Please sign-up on the sheet in the Narthex for this Sunday ministry of hospitality. Questions? Speak to John McGrath
CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Narnia Book Club discussion after Trunk or Treat. We are reading Prince Caspian, from The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. This week’s discussion is on Chapters 4-6. There is also a Facebook discussion group: “One Parish/One Book (All Saints’, Millington)”. Copies of the book are available for purchase in our Narnia corner at the back of the Church. Sign-up on the sheet in the Narthex to let us know you’ll be participating. This is a wonderful way to engage both your imagination and your faith and share your ideas with others.
Bible Study meets Wednesday at 10:15 am in the Rath House. We are currently studying the Book of Revelation; this week Chapter 6. Come learn more about the Bible and its connection to our lives. Questions? Speak to Mother Vicki.
Sunday Forum, Nov. 10, 11:15 am in the Parish Hall - “The Faith We Sing: The Hymnal.” Alison Siener Brown will offer a presentation and discussion on our hymnal and the place of music in Episcopal worship at our new monthly adult Christian formation/education opportunity during Coffee Hour. Get some coffee or tea, take a seat, and come learn something new!
Forward Day by Day – the Episcopal Church daily devotional for the new quarter (Nov-Jan) is here and available in the Narthex, in both pocket-size and large-print. Please pick one up.
OUTREACH
Family Promise at Trinity House – we’ll be serving at the homeless shelter is Friday, 11/1 and Saturday 11/2. We provide dinner, greeters, overnight staff (they get to sleep!), and breakfast. Please pray for this ministry, for the families, and for those who will be serving this week. For more information or to serve the next time be in touch with Afsaneh Thursfield, Faeritale@hotmail.com or 908-839-8158.
AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Congratulations to Jim Caparoso, Scoutmaster of our BSA Troop 56. Jim is one of this year’s Good Scout Award recipients from the Patriot’s Path Council. The award will be made at the Good Scout Dinner this Tuesday at the Primavera Regency in Stirling. We are grateful to Jim for his commitment and leadership for our Scouts.
PARISH CALENDAR
10/30 Bible Study Rath House, 10:15 am
10/31 Holy Eucharist Church, 7:00 am (All Hallow’s Eve)
For a full schedule of our buildings check the website calendar
CHRISTIAN PRACTICES
Way of Love: Rest – Autumn is the time the Earth prepares to rest – and in the northern hemisphere that’s September through November. It is also a time of brilliant colors and beauty. Maybe we appreciate the reds, golds, and yellows of the trees and the brilliant blue of the sky because we know the days are darkening and getting shorter. We also know that if the Earth doesn’t rest that the ecological cycle will be interrupted and the balance of nature will be thrown off.
We need rest in our lives, too. Not just sleep, but a change of focus, a slow-down of our pace, a disconnection from technology and other stressors. It is often when we rest that we can allow God to speak to us, to re-create us, to remind us that God is God and we are not. When we enter into God’s rest we become better people, better spouses and parents, better friends, better Christians. Rest well!
Blessings, Vicki+