Dear Friends in Christ,
The Rummage Sale is this Saturday! Thanks to everyone who has worked so hard to prepare for the sale. This is always a wonderful opportunity to meet neighbors, visitors, and folks in our wider community. Keep your ears and hearts open for someone who might need a kind word, a compassionate ear, or to receive the love of God through you – or might have some word of wisdom to offer to you.
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Please take a look at this week’s announcements, especially:

• Parking Lot Watering & Fall Clean Up (Stewardship)
• Register for Breakfast with the Bishop (Diocesan News)
• Sunday Forum (Christian Formation)
• Celebration of Parish Dedication (Worship)
• All Saints’ Cabaret (Parish Life)

RUMMAGE SALE
This Saturday is the Day! 9 am-2 pm. The Rummage Sale is a wonderful community event, an outreach benefit to those who need to shop our sale, a great opportunity to let visitors and passers-by know about our church and our Christian community, a great place to pick up some bargains … and it’s the largest fund-raiser of the year. And visit our “Blessings to Go” tent, staffed by Srs. Monica Clare and Deborah Francis. Your presence, prayers, smiles, and help are greatly appreciated!

DIOCESAN NEWS
Breakfast with the Bishop - Continuing her meet-and-greets around the diocese, Bishop Hughes will be here at All Saints’ on Saturday morning, Oct. 26, 9:30-11:30 am (doors open at 9 am) to meet parishioners and discuss the vision, hopes, and dreams for the diocese. We will host this diocesan gathering with our bishop and our Episcopal brothers and sisters from around the Diocese of Newark. Go to this link on the diocesan webpage to register for the event: https://dioceseofnewark.org/event/breaking-bread-bishop-hughes-millington

Our Diocesan E-newsletter, “The Voice Online” is published twice a month, and includes Bishop Hughes’ reflections/vlog. You can receive it directly into your inbox by following this link and signing up: https://dioceseofnewark.org/publications.

STEWARDSHIP
Parking Lot Watering – our landscaper has let us know we need to continue to water the new grass and tree on the parking lot islands until the end of October. If you can volunteer to take a day of watering (monitoring and moving the sprinklers), please go to SignUpGenius to help us out: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c44acae2eaafa7-parking. Thanks.

Fall Clean-up & Pruning Party - Oct. 5, 9 am – 12 noon. We have shrubs that need pruning, brush in the back corner of the parking lot to go to the dump, and bricks to go to our garage (eventually to make a path on one of the parking lot islands) – all before Bishop Hughes and our guests from around the diocese come on Oct. 26 for Breakfast with the Bishop. Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex to help!

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.

WORSHIP
This Sunday: Celebrate the 113th Anniversary of Church Consecration and Dedication (Feast of St, Michael & All Angels). We will celebrate this important parish anniversary at 10 am with a service of Festive Morning Prayer. We’ll gather outside at the front door of the Church to begin our service.  . Children should participate in this procession and then go to Sunday School. Come and give thanks to God for our one-hundred-and-thirteen-year history!

Blessing of the Animals in honor of St. Francis – Oct. 6, 5 pm in the Memorial Garden. Bring your pet (on a leash or in a carrier or cage for their comfort) for a blessing and a celebration of God’s goodness and love for creation.

Altar Guild Annual Meeting – Oct. 10, 6 pm in the Rath House. Bring a side dish or beverage. Main meal will be provided. And if anyone is interested in the ministry of the Altar Guild, please come to the meeting and find out more about it! RSVP to Liz Gorny egorny@optonline.net.

PARISH LIFE
All Saints’ Cabaret Night is coming on November 23, 7:30 pm in the Parish Hall! Music, dessert, adult beverage (optional). Performances by parishioners and some wonderful local talent. Want to know more or help with the event? Speak to Alison Siener Brown or Melissa Pagliaro. Save the date, invite a friend, and plan to party!

CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Sunday Forum, Oct.13 - “The Anglican Communion’s Best-kept Secret: Religious Communities”. Sister Monica Clare will kick off our new monthly adult Christian formation/education opportunity during Coffee Hour. This month’s presentation and Q&A will focus on Episcopal monks and nuns. Come and learn something new!

Narnia Book Club will be returning October 13. We’ll read and discuss Prince Caspian, from The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis. There will be a Facebook-based discussion group, and also an in-person group that will meet during Coffee Hour. Sign-up on the sheet in the Narthex to let us know you’ll be participating, and let us know if you need a book.

Forward Day by Day (FDD) is a daily devotional that comes in pocket-size or large print editions. It is published quarterly, and always available for you to pick up in the Narthex. It’s a great way to read a verse of Scripture and a one-page meditation. It also has some simple and moving prayers for your use. FDD also comes as a podcast! You can find it everywhere you get your podcasts, or on the Forward Movement website, here: https://prayer.forwardmovement.org/podcast.php.
Bible Study meets this Wed. 10/2.  We will be discussing Chapter 4 of the Book of Revelation. This group is for anyone interested in learning for about the Bible and its connection to our lives. Questions? Speak to Mother Vicki.

CONVENT CORNER – from Sister Monica Clare
(all events are at Community of St. John Baptist in Mendham)
Centering Prayer - Thursdays 7:15 - 8:15 p.m. Join us for a quiet hour and learn a new way to pray. Centering Prayer is a method of silent prayer in which we experience God's presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. There is no fee for this group. For info, call Sr. Barbara Jean 973-543-4641 ext. 1 or email her at srbj@csjb.org.

Winter Search Program - Our SEARCH program is for anyone who is hoping to determine God's call in their lives, whatever that call may be; as a Sister or serving God in the world. The Winter SEARCH program dates for 2020 are Friday, Feb. 14-Monday, Feb. 17. Please email Sister Monica at srmc@csjb.org or call 973-543-4641 ext. 2.

PARISH CALENDAR
10/2 Bible Study                      Rath House, 10:15 am
10/3 Holy Eucharist                Church, 7:00 am
          Junior Choir                    Choir Room 5:15 pm
          Adult Choir                     Choir Room 7:30 pm
For a full schedule of our buildings check the website calendar

CHRISTIAN PRACTICES
Way of Love: Pray - For Today (from Forward Day by Day)
O God:
Give me strength to live another day;
Let me not turn coward before its difficulties or prove recreant to its duties;
Let me not lose faith in other people;
Keep me sweet and sound of heart, in spite of ingratitude, treachery, or meanness;
Preserve me from minding little stings or giving them;
Help me to keep my heart clean, and to live so honestly and fearlessly that no outward failure can dishearten me or take away the joy of conscious integrity;
Open wide the eyes of my soul that I may see good in all things;
Grant me this day some new vision of thy truth;
Inspire me with the spirit of joy and gladness;
and make me the cup of strength to suffering souls;
in the name of the strong Deliverer, our only Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Blessings, Vicki+

Dear Friends in Christ,
We need some help staying on top of the watering schedule for the parking lot islands and maple tree because it has been so dry! The hoses and sprinklers are all set up and both islands can be watered at the same time because there are faucets on both the side of the church and the side of the Parish House. If you haven't responded to the SignUp Genius email, or are not sure how to do that, please just email the Parish Office to let us know you can help: allstsmill@hotmail.com. Thanks!

Please take a look at this week’s announcements, especially:

• Parking Lot News (Stewardship)
• Breakfast with the Bishop (Diocesan News)
• Last Week of Rummage Prep (Rummage Sale)
• Celebration of Parish Dedication (Worship)

(Image - a view of instant of autumnal equinox 2015 from 150122759 kilometers above 0 degrees north latitude 40 degrees west longitude: John Walker, Public Domain, via Fourmilab Switzerland)

RUMMAGE SALE
Sunday is the final day to donate items! What help do we need now?

• Price and pack during the week.
• Move rummage to front lawn on sale day at 6 am.
• Unpack rummage and put on tables at 7 am.
• Sell during the day – especially in furniture and tools.
• Assistants for the hot dog stand & bake sale – this is a great place for kids to help!
• Clean-up at end of sale at 2 pm.

The Rummage Sale is a wonderful community event, an outreach benefit to those who need to shop our sale, a great opportunity to let visitors and passers-by know about our church and our Christian community…and it’s the largest fund-raiser of the year. We need your presence, smile, and help! Questions? E-mail Kimberly Celeste celestewk@msn.com

DIOCESAN NEWS
Breakfast with the Bishop. Continuing her meet-and-greets around the diocese, Bishop Hughes will be here at All Saints’ on Saturday morning, Oct. 26, 9:30-11:30 am (doors open at 9 am) to meet parishioners and discuss the vision, hopes, and dreams for the diocese. We will host this diocesan gathering with our bishop and our Episcopal brothers and sisters from around the Diocese of Newark. Go to this link on the diocesan webpage to register for the event: https://dioceseofnewark.org/event/breaking-bread-bishop-hughes-millington

Our Diocesan E-newsletter, “The Voice Online” is published twice a month, and includes Bishop Hughes’ reflections/vlog. You can receive it directly into your inbox by following this link and signing up: https://dioceseofnewark.org/publications.  

YOUTH
THIS SUNDAY: Diocesan Pop Up Youth Ministry Epic Games, Sept. 22 at St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Oakland/Franklin Lakes. Registration begins at 3:30 and the event will begin at 4:00 and end at 6:30. Includes dinner and worship by campfire. All youth grades 6-12 are invited and encouraged to participate, and friends are welcome. All Saints’ youth and adults can travel by carpool. If you are interested, please contact Mother Vicki. Check the diocesan website for further information: https://dioceseofnewark.org/event/pop-youth-event-epic-games

STEWARDSHIP
Firewood Available in the back corner of the church parking lot. Free to a good home!

Parking Lot Renovation: Take a Look! The islands have now been seeded with grass seed and covered with straw. A Japanese red maple tree has been planted at the east end of the front island, with perennials planted around it; done in memory of Hugh Wallace. While the grass is coming in, please don’t walk on it so it can have a chance to grow. Thank you to everyone who has been taking turns watering!

Fall Clean-up & Pruning Party - Oct. 5, 9 am – 12 noon. We have shrubs that need pruning, brush in the back corner of the parking lot to go to the dump, and bricks to go to our garage (eventually to make a path on one of the parking lot islands) – all before Bishop Hughes and our guests from around the diocese come on Oct. 26 for Breakfast with the Bishop. Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex to help!

WORSHIP
Celebrate the 113th Anniversary of Church Consecration and Dedication – Sunday, Sept. 29th (Feast of St, Michael & All Angels). We will celebrate this important parish anniversary at 10 am with a service of Festive Morning Prayer. We’ll gather outside at the front door of the Church to begin our service. Come and give thanks to God for our one-hundred-and-thirteen-year history!

Family Service, 10 am Oct. 6 – kids’ homily, birthday & anniversary prayers, no Sunday School.

Blessing of the Animals in honor of St. Francis – Oct. 6, at 5 pm in the Memorial Garden. Bring your pets for a blessing as we give thanks to God for the goodness and beauty of Creation.

PARISH LIFE
Save the date! All Saints’ Cabaret Night is coming on November 23, 7:30 pm in the Parish Hall! Music, dessert, adult beverage (optional). Performances by some wonderful local talent. Want to know more or help with the event? Speak to Alison Siener Brown or Melissa Pagliaro. More details soon.

CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Bible Study meets this Wed. 9/23.  We will be discussing Chapter 3 of the Book of Revelation. This group is for anyone interested in learning for about the Bible and its connection to our lives and our world. Questions? Speak to Mother Vicki.

Narnia Book Club for all ages will be returning October 13. Families, parents & children, adults can all read and enjoy the book. We’ll read and discuss Prince Caspian, from The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis. There will be a Facebook-based discussion group, and also an in-person group that will meet during Coffee Hour. The group will begin reading on Oct. 13 and have our first discussion the following week. If you need a book, let us know. This is a great way to explore faith from a different angle.

Forward Day by Day (FDD) is a daily devotional that comes in pocket-size or large print editions. It is published quarterly, and always available for you to pick up in the Narthex. It’s a great way to read a verse of Scripture and a one-page meditation. It also has some simple and moving prayers for your use. FDD also comes as a podcast! You can find it everywhere you get your podcasts, or on the Forward Movement website, here: https://prayer.forwardmovement.org/podcast.php .

CONVENT CORNER – from Sister Monica Clare
(all events are at Community of St. John Baptist in Mendham)
Centering Prayer - Thursdays 7:15 - 8:15 p.m. Join us for a quiet hour and learn a new way to pray. Centering Prayer is a method of silent prayer in which we experience God's presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. There is no fee for this group. For info, call Sr. Barbara Jean 973-543-4641 ext. 1 or email her at srbj@csjb.org.

Yoga at the Convent - at St. Marguerite’s Retreat House. Mondays from 4:45 - 6:00 pm for gentle Yoga. Experience how Yoga can benefit your overall well-being. $12.00 per class ~ Classes are subject to change. Contact: Jill—973-271-8952. Give us your email address and we will add you to the class.

Associates’ Retreat - “From Commotion to Contemplation” November 23, 2019. 9-3. Conducted by Sr. Josita Marks, SCC. If you'd like information about becoming an Associate of CSJB, please contact the Reverend Sister Superior Eleanor Francis at sref@csjb.org or call 973-543-4641 ext. 3.

Winter Search Program - Our SEARCH program is for anyone who is hoping to determine God's call in their lives, whatever that call may be; as a Sister or serving God in the world. The Winter SEARCH program dates for 2020 are Friday, Feb. 14-Monday, Feb. 17. Please email Sister Monica at srmc@csjb.org or call 973-543-4641 ext. 2.

PARISH CALENDAR
9/23  Discernment Committee     Rath House, 7:00 pm
9/24  Bible Study                       Rath House, 10:15 am
9/25  Holy Eucharist                   Church, 7:00 am
       Junior Choir                        Choir Room 5:15 pm
        Adult Choir                        Choir Room 7:30 pm
9/28 Rummage Sale                   Church Lawn & Parish Hall, 9 am-2 pm.
For a full schedule of our buildings check the website calendar www.allsaintsmillington.org.
 
CHRISTIAN PRACTICES
Creation Care: Autumnal Equinox – Monday, September 23 is the autumnal equinox this year. We call it the first day of fall, but it is the day when both the northern and southern hemispheres experience the exact same amount of daylight as night, one of the two times in the year when the whole world is in day and night balance. After the equinox, of course, we in the north will begin to experience shorter days and longer nights.

While there is no action to take or way to “care for” the sun, moon, and earth on this day, it is a good time to pause and reflect on your life: are you finding a balance (usually) between work, rest, and play? Do you have enough connection to the people in your life (family, friends) to sustain healthy relationships – or do you spend all your energy on doing for others in a way that is draining; or spend too much time isolating? Does your practice of Christian faith contain ample amounts of amounts of prayer and action; of feeling rooted and grounded in God’s love and willing to step out and take some risks for Christ’s sake?

We will never be perfect in our faith and following Jesus, but it is always good to aim for an approximate balance in life. This moment of physical and astronomical balance in our world is a good time to take stock.

Blessings, Vicki+

Dear Friends in Christ,
Our fall parish schedule is off to a good start. I hope that you are finding a healthy rhythm in this new season that allows you to be aware of God’s peace and presence. Please look at this week’s announcements below.

The funeral service for Carolyn Wallace (mother-in-law of Betsy, grandmother of Will and Chrissy) will be on Friday September 27th at 11:00 am at the Basking Ridge Presbyterian church. Please keep the Wallace family in your prayers.
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Please take a look at this week’s announcements, especially:

• Parking Lot News & Pledge Catch-up (Stewardship)
• Help Needed for ShopRite Food Pantry Event this Thursday (Outreach)
• Breakfast with the Bishop (Parish Life)
• Last Week of Rummage Drop-off (Rummage Sale)

RUMMAGE SALE
Rummage Sale Collection – This is the last week to donate! We need lots of people to price & sort. We also need many people to come at 7 am on the day of the sale to help unpack boxes and put them on the tables under the tent, and then to “fluff” the rummage during the day. And we need volunteers to clean-up at the end of the sale, bake for the bake sale table, and staff the lunch-time hot dog and drinks stand. Please let us know you can help by speaking to Kimberly Celeste and/or by signing up on the Rummage poster in the Narthex. This is our biggest fund-raiser of the year, and a wonderful community festival. You won’t want to miss it! Kimberly Celeste celestewk@msn.com

OUTREACH
Shop Rite Needs our Help! Bag for Hunger/Partners in Caring Thursday, Sept. 19 from 11 am-12 noon. We’ll bag groceries at ShopRite to help raise money for ShopRite’s support of the Community FoodBank of NJ and our parish food pantry. The store has been collecting non-perishable foods for our food pantry this month! There will be a photo opp for the newspaper, as well. Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex for this fun and easy outreach effort. Thanks!

Hurricane Dorian: Episcopal Relief and Development - You can help provide affected communities with immediate and long-term support. Please contribute at support.episcopalrelief.org/hurricane-relief.

YOUTH
Diocesan Pop Up Youth Ministry Epic Games, Sept. 22 at St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Oakland/Franklin Lakes. Registration begins at 3:30 and the event will begin at 4:00 and end at 6:30. Includes dinner and worship by campfire. All youth grades 6-12 are invited and encouraged to participate, and friends are welcome. All Saints’ youth and adults can travel by carpool. If you are interested, please contact Mother Vicki. Check the diocesan website for further information: https://dioceseofnewark.org/event/pop-youth-event-epic-games

STEWARDSHIP
Pledge Catch-up – Have you been away from Church this summer, traveling, taking care of family business, or heading to the beach? If so, please make sure that your pledge contributions are up to date. We’ve had our usual summer slump and it will be helpful and important to have our income get back on track. Thank you!

Firewood Available in the back corner of the church parking lot. Free to a good home!

Parking Lot Renovation: Take a Look! The islands have now been seeded with grass seed and covered with straw. A Japanese red maple tree has been planted at the east end of the front island, with perennials planted around it; done in memory of Hugh Wallace. While the grass is coming in, please don’t walk on it so it can have a chance to grow. Thanks.

Fall Clean-up & Pruning Party - Oct. 5, 9 am – 12 noon. We have shrubs that need pruning, brush in the back corner of the parking lot to go to the dump, and bricks to go to our garage (eventually to make a path on one of the parking lot islands) – all before Bishop Hughes and our guests from around the diocese come on Oct. 26 for Breakfast with the Bishop. Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex to help!

PARISH LIFE
Looking Ahead: Breakfast with the Bishop. On Saturday morning, Oct. 26 All Saints’ will host this gathering with Bishop Carlye Hughes. It’s an opportunity to meet Bishop Hughes and hear from her. We’ll also welcome our Episcopal brothers and sisters from around the diocese as we discuss the vision, hopes, and dreams for our diocese. Doors open at 9 am; program time is 9:30-11:30 am. RSVP Online by Friday, Oct. 18!

WORSHIP
New Bulletin Format - as part of our parish commitment to being good stewards of God’s good creation we have a new Sunday bulletin format that uses less paper. The service music is on reusable green cards in the pew racks. Please return them to the pew racks when the service is over, so we’ll have them for next time. This new format will have the added benefit of getting us more familiar with finding the Scripture readings in the Bible, if you would like to follow along. Simply listening is great, too! The format may take a little getting used to, so please be patient as together we learn something new. Thanks!

Mid-Week Eucharist and Healing Prayer, Thursdays at 7 am in the Church. This is a great way to start your day. Optional breakfast at the Millington Station Café follows!

CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Bible Study meets this Wed. 9/18.  We will be discussing Chapter 2 of the Book of Revelation. This group is for anyone interested in learning for about the Bible and its connection to our lives. Questions? Speak to Mother Vicki.

Narnia Book Club will be returning in October. We’ll read and discuss Prince Caspian, from The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis. There will be a Facebook-based discussion group, and also an in-person group that will meet during Coffee Hour. Dates to be announced soon.

MUSIC
Do you love to sing? Consider lending your voice to our choirs! Rehearsals are Thursdays: Junior Choir, 5:15 pm; Adult Choir, 7:30pm in the choir room in the downstairs (Undercroft) of the Church.  To learn more about our music ministry, please speak with Director of Music Alison Siener Brown, asienerbrown@gmail.com.

MusikGarten classes for babies to early elementary school children (including group piano classes) are offered here at All Saints’ during the academic year. It’s a great way to give your child a love and facility for music. For more information visit http://musicsh.org/musikgarten/ or speak with Alison Siener Brown.

CONVENT CORNER – from Sister Monica Clare
(all events are at Community of St. John Baptist in Mendham)
Centering Prayer - Thursdays 7:15 - 8:15 p.m. Join us for a quiet hour and learn a new way to pray. Centering Prayer is a method of silent prayer in which we experience God's presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. There is no fee for this group. For info, call Sr. Barbara Jean 973-543-4641 ext. 1 or email her at srbj@csjb.org.

Yoga at the Convent - at St. Marguerite’s Retreat House. Mondays from 4:45 - 6:00 pm for gentle Yoga. Experience how Yoga can benefit your overall well-being. $12.00 per class ~ Classes are subject to change. Contact: Jill—973-271-8952. Give us your email address and we will add you to the class.

Associates’ Retreat - “From Commotion to Contemplation” November 23, 2019. 9-3. Conducted by Sr. Josita Marks, SCC. If you'd like information about becoming an Associate of CSJB, please contact the Reverend Sister Superior Eleanor Francis at sref@csjb.org or call 973-543-4641 ext. 3.

Winter Search Program - Our SEARCH program is for anyone who is hoping to determine God's call in their lives, whatever that call may be; as a Sister or serving God in the world. The Winter SEARCH program dates for 2020 are Friday, Feb. 14-Monday, Feb. 17. Please email Sister Monica at srmc@csjb.org or call 973-543-4641 ext. 2.

PARISH CALENDAR
9/17 Vestry                             Rath House, 7:30 pm
9/18 Bible Study                     Rath House, 10:15 am
9/19 Holy Eucharist                Church, 7:00 am
       Bagging for Hunger          Shop Rite, Stirling, 11:00 am
       Junior Choir                    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
Prayer Book Holy Days – as Episcopalians we “live, move, and have our being” according to the historic Christian calendar of feasts, fasts, and holy days – as we have inherited it through our Anglican tradition, which is distinct from either the Roman Catholic or the Eastern Orthodox traditions.

We all know and mark the principal feast days: Easter Day, Ascension Day, The Day of Pentecost, Trinity Sunday, All Saints’ Day, Christmas Day, The Epiphany. These are the corner stones of our life as a worshipping community, and they are days we gather with one another (even if we have to shift their observance slightly). Every Sunday is counted as a feast of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our two primary fast days are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Again, we all know these, and we always have a public observance of them.

But there is another category of important days in the Church calendar of which we may not be aware, or may overlook, and often have more difficulty celebrating or observing. These are sometimes called Red Letter Days (because they used to be printed on the calendar in red!) or Prayer Book Holy Days. These Holy Days include other Feasts of Our Lord (like Holy Name and Annunciation) and other Major Feasts (like St. Stephen, St. Michael and All Angels, and Thanksgiving Day). While we rarely gather for most of these days, they still are important for us to be aware of and take time for prayer and reflection on Scripture. When we do this, we learn for about the loving purposes of God, the fullness of Christ, and patterns of holy living and holy dying from the saints.

A much fuller explanation of all this is found in the Book of Common Prayer on page 15: The Calendar of the Church Year. The prayers for each of these days is found in the Collects section of the Prayer Book, beginning on page 159 for Rite I, or page 211 for Rite II. Try taking a look.

And tomorrow, September 14, is one of those holy days, a Feast of Our Lord: Holy Cross Day. For information about this day you can read here: https://prayer.forwardmovement.org/the_calendar_response.php?id=LR0914
Here a link to the readings for today: https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearABC_RCL/HolyDays/HolyCros_RCL.html

The Collect for Holy Cross
Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the cross that he might draw the whole world to himself: Mercifully grant that we, who glory in the mystery of our redemption, may have grace to take up our cross and follow him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Blessings, Vicki+

Dear Friends in Christ,
This Sunday, Sept. 8, is Welcome Sunday – the start of our fall season. We’ll bless kids’ and teachers’ backpacks for school, our choirs will sing at the 10 am service, Sunday School will resume, and we’ll have our Welcome Picnic after the 10 am service – this year with ice cream from Ava’s, and some neighborhood guests. See you in Church!
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We’ve all witnessed the terrible devastation of wrought by Hurricane Dorian in parts of the Bahamas. Urgent needs for food, water, sanitation, and shelter for 70,000 people are starting to be addressed, while the death toll is still unknown but expected to rise. Episcopal Relief and Development will be working with local churches and partner agencies (The Anglican Diocese of The Bahamas and Turks & Caicos) to assist with material and pastoral care needs. The most effective response we can make now (in addition to our prayers) is to donate to Episcopal Relief's Hurricane Fund: support.episcopalrelief.org/hurricane-relief.
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Please take a look at this week’s announcements, especially:

• Sunday School (Christian Formation)
• Blessing of the Backpacks; New Bulletin Format (Worship)
• Welcome Sunday Neighborhood Picnic (Parish Life)
• Rummage Drop-off and Volunteering (Rummage Sale)

PARISH LIFE
Welcome Sunday Picnic, September 8 – Gather with fellow parishioners for a new school year/program year get-together after the 10 am service. We’ll grill hot dogs and veggie burgers; you bring a salad, side, or dessert. New this year: ice cream from Ava’s! And we’ve invited some of our neighbors who will be our guests.

Looking Ahead: Breakfast with the Bishop. On Saturday morning, Oct. 26 All Saints’ will host a diocesan gathering with Bishop Carlye Hughes. This will be an opportunity to meet Bishop Hughes and hear from her. We’ll also welcome our Episcopal brothers and sisters from around the diocese. Save the date!

WORSHIP
Blessing of the Backpacks – This Sunday, Sept. 8 we’ll bless the backpacks of our students and teachers for the start of the new school year. Bring your back packs or school bags to church at either the 8 or 10 am service.

New Bulletin Format - as part of our parish commitment to being good stewards of God’s good creation we have a new Sunday bulletin format that uses less paper. The service music is on reusable green cards in the pew racks. Please return them to the pew racks when the service is over, so we’ll have them for next time. This new format will have the added benefit of getting us more familiar with finding the Scripture readings in the Bible, if you would like to follow along. Simply listening is great, too! The format may take a little getting used to, so please be patient as together we learn something new. Thanks!

Mid-Week Eucharist and Healing Prayer, Thursdays at 7 am in the Church. This is a great way to start your day. Optional breakfast at the Millington Station Café follows!

CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Bible Study will not meet this week but will pick up again on 9/18.  Our study for this fall is the Book of Revelation, the last book of the New Testament. This group is for anyone interested in learning for about the Bible and its connection to our lives. Questions? Speak to Mother Vicki.

Sunday School for children Age 4-middle school meets downstairs in the Church at 10 am. Children join their families in worship at the Peace.

Narnia Book Club will be returning in the fall. We’ll read and discuss Prince Caspian, from The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis. There will be a Facebook-based discussion group, and also an in-person group that will meet during Coffee Hour. Dates to be announced soon.

Sunday Forum – this fall, starting October 13, we’ll offer a monthly adult Christian formation/education opportunity during Coffee Hour. This effort is being organized by Sister Monica Clare. It will usually be held on the second Sunday of the moth. The format will include about 20 minutes of presentation, followed by discussion and questions. The topic and the speakers will change each month. Watch for more information soon!

RUMMAGE SALE
Rummage Sale Collection continues: Sun 12-2 pm; Mon 5-8 pm; Tues 5-7 pm; Wed 6-8 pm; Thu 1-3 pm; Fri 10-12 noon. Please bring your clean, gently used items to the Parish Hall. Thanks.

We are looking for volunteers for the following positions:    
Food Table Chairperson—oversee the food that will be sold and volunteers to staff the table
Clean-up Crew—be part of a group that will help clear the ‘left-over’ rummage and furniture in the week after the sale.
And we need lots of general help on the day – Sept. 28!
These jobs are VITAL to the success of the sale – volunteers are NEEDED! Interested parties should contact me directly instead of using the sign-up sheet. Thanks! Kimberly Celeste celestewk@msn.com

MUSIC
All Saints’ Choir for Adults and Children is a vital part of our parish life and worship, and we are always happy to have new members. The only requirement is a love for singing! Rehearsals are Thursdays: Junior Choir, 5:15 pm; Adult Choir, 7:30pm in the choir room in the downstairs (Undercroft) of the Church.  To learn more about our music ministry, please speak with Director of Music Alison Siener Brown, asienerbrown@gmail.com.

MusikGarten classes for babies to early elementary school children (including group piano classes) are offered here at All Saints’ during the academic year. It’s a great way to give your child a love and facility for music. For more information visit http://musicsh.org/musikgarten/ or speak with Alison Siener Brown.

STEWARDSHIP
Creation Care – as part of our parish commitment to being good stewards of God’s good creation we will begin using a new Sunday bulletin format that uses less paper, starting next week. This new format will have the added benefit of getting us more familiar with finding references in the pew Bibles (if you want to follow along).

ShopRite Cards – you can buy ShopRite gift cards for yourself or someone else after the 10 am service. You get the full value of the card, and All Saints’ gets 5%. Please see Barbara Barbeau to buy a card...or two!

YOUTH
Diocesan Pop Up Youth Ministry Epic Games, Sept. 22 at St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Oakland/Franklin Lakes. Registration begins at 3:30 and the event will begin at 4:00 and end at 6:30. Go for the gold against friends old and new in a series of the most epic games ever imagined. We will top the night off with dinner, a medal ceremony, and worship by campfire. All youth grades 6-12 are invited and encouraged to participate, and friends are welcome. All Saints’ youth and adults can travel by carpool. Check the diocesan website for further information: https://dioceseofnewark.org/event/pop-youth-event-epic-games

OUTREACH
Hurricane Dorian: Episcopal Relief and Development is working closely with dioceses in the path of Hurricane Dorian. You can help provide affected communities with immediate and long-term support. Please contribute at support.episcopalrelief.org/hurricane-relief. Check the green insert for further information.

Change of Date: Bag for Hunger - ShopRite in Stirling has asked for our help! Thursday, Sept. 19 from 11 am-12 noon volunteers from All Saints’ will bag groceries at ShopRite to help raise awareness of hunger in our communities and raise money for ShopRite’s support on the Community FoodBank of NJ. This also helps All Saints’ food pantry and food ministries through ShopRite’s CFBNJ grants to our Church. Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex.for this fun and easy outreach effort. Thanks!

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Shrine of St. Joseph 9/11 Interfaith Service will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 11 from 7:00-8:00 pm at the Shrine’s Tower of Remembrance on Long Hill Road in Stirling. If you have never visited the Tower (built from WTC steel beams) or participated in this service, it is a moving time to gather with those of all faiths and no particular faith to pray for hope and peace in God’s world on this important recent anniversary in our nation’s life.

PARISH CALENDAR
9/10 Finance Committee      Rath House, 7:30 pm
9/12 Holy Eucharist               Church, 7:00 am
        Junior Choir                     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
Creation Care – the month of September marks a world-wide, ecumenical Season of Creation, from Sept. 1-Oct. 4 (the Feast of St. Francis). Christians across the globe are taking actions and offering prayer for the health and well-being of our planet. There are some interesting links here: Season of Creation https://seasonofcreation.org/; Anglican Communion Environmental Network https://acen.anglicancommunion.org/; the Episcopal Church website https://www.episcopalchurch.org/creation-care.
Why should Christians care about the environment? To begin with, the God we love, serve, and worship is the Creator and the creation is God’s handiwork; our role in the world is to be stewards and care-takers, the gardeners of this beautiful Earth. A healthy planet goes a long way in supporting healthy human communities – the neighbors that God bids us to care for. The other creatures and living things that share the planet with us are all part of God’s web of life in which we are sustained. Caring for creation, however we are able to do it, is part of living life from God’s perspective.

Prayer from the Diocese of Leeds (U.K.)
God our Father,
You never cease the work you have begun
and prosper with your blessing all human endeavour.
Help us to be good neighbours to those who share our world today,
and those who will inherit our world in generations to come.
Make us wise and faithful stewards of your creation,
living lightly on the Earth
so that it continues to blossom and flourish now and in the future.
In the name of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Blessings, Vicki+