Dear Friends in Christ,
Tomorrow is our Fall Fish & Chips Dinner, catered by Argyle of Kearny. I hope to see many of you there, and that you’ll be able to welcome and visit with our friends and neighbors. On Friday and Saturday (Oct. 27-28) I will travel to Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. to officiate at the graveside funeral of my aunt (and godmother). Then on Sunday after the 10 am service, which will be Morning Prayer (because it is the fifth Sunday of the month), we will have our annual Trunk or Treat – always a fun event. ~ VGM+
Photo is from a trail along the west side of the Delaware River in Shawnee, PA.

Here is this week’s e-letter. Take a look at the announcements below, especially these highlights.

• Fall Fish & Chips (Fun & Fundraising)
• Trunk or Treat (Parish Life)
• Annual Pledge Campaign (Stewardship)
• All Saints’ Day & Necrology (Worship)
  

+ + + + + + + +
FUN & FUNDRAISERS
TOMORROW - THURSDAY: Fish ‘n Chips with Argyle of Kearny, October 26, 5:30-7:30 pm!  Eat in or Take-out. Tickets at the door! $20 for adults/$10 for kids. Please tell your friends and neighbors! And we need some more folks to help serve, and to help clean up! We especially need people to set-up, serve, and clean-up. Thanks!

PARISH LIFE
Trunk or Treat – Sunday School kids wear their Hallowe’en costumes, and adults provide the treats.  The kids trick-or-treat from car to car in the parking lot, and we have refreshments outside on Sunday, October 29 at 11:15 am. Please sign up in the Narthex to participate – kids and adults!

STEWARDSHIP
Annual Pledge Materials for the coming year, 2018, have been mailed out. The packet includes a letter, a pledge card, and some information about All Saints’ mission, ministry, and finances. You participation and support of our parish are very important.
 
This year, instead of printing a brochure listing all our various ministries and groups to which you can offer time and talent, we have put a list on the parish website, with a brief description of each group. Take a look at the list, then circle the ministries on the back of the pledge card with which you’d like to be involved. The link to the ministries list is here: http://www.allsaintsmillington.org/programs--ministries.html. Thank you for your prayerful consideration as we work together to make our mission of following Jesus in our community and in our surrounding communities a reality.

Prayer for our Parish Stewardship
Holy and Loving God,
in the midst of the uncertainties of life and the anxious times in which we live,
you call us to renew our trust in you each day.
As we make plans and provisions for
our church and ministries in the coming year,
help our trust to grow, and our generosity to be joyful;
and all in thanks and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Video of Sister Monica Clare from the Community of St. John Baptist – here’s a link to a short video about Sr. Monica Clare’s ministry in Times Square: https://news.vice.com/story/the-money-habits-of-a-times-square-nun . The film was made by Vice News Money and is called “The Money Habits of a Times Square Nun.” Many of you will remember Sr. Monica from a few years ago when she sang in our choir and did pastoral visiting here at All Saints’.

WORSHIP
Necrology for All Saints’ Sunday – at the start of our services on November 5 we’ll read the names of parishioners and loved ones who have died in the past year...or previous years; we’ll also print a list of all the names. If you would like to have someone included in the Necrology list, please e-mail the names to Susie Harris in the parish office at allsaints_church@hotmail.com by October 30.

All Saints’ Day Worship, Wed. Nov. 1, 9:15 am – this year we’ll mark All Saints’ Day itself with a simple celebration of the Eucharist and hymns. This will be before the regular Wednesday Bible Study. Hope you can join us, and start our parish feast day off right!

CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Next week the Pilgrim group resumes on Monday, Oct. 30 at 7 pm in the Rath House. This is the final session of the current series on The Creeds. On Nov. 6 the new six week series will begin. The topic is The Eucharist. Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex to participate and receive the discussion book.

Bible Study meets on Nov. 1 at 10:15 in the Rath House (after the All Saints’ Day Eucharist). We’ll be discussing 1 Corinthians, chapter 8. Come and learn more about some of the issues and concerns that followers of Jesus had in this Greek city around the year 50 AD – and how are lives might be similar and different, and yet we, too, follow Jesus. You are welcome to join us whenever you can.

DIOCESAN NEWS
Diocesan Website – here’s the link for news and information from our Diocese of Newark: http://dioceseofnewark.org/

PARISH CALENDAR
10/27-10/28 Rector in Washington, DC for a family funeral
10/29
Holy Eucharist                          Church 8:00 am
Morning Prayer                        Church 10:00 am
Trunk or Treat                           Parking Lot 11:15 am
10/30
Evening Prayer                        Church 6:30 pm
Pilgrim Discussion Group        Rath House 7:00 pm
10/31 - All Hallow’s Eve (Hallowe’en)
11/1 - All Saints’ Day
Communion and Hymns           Church 9:15 am
Bible Study                                Rath House 10:15 am
11/2
Communion & Healing Prayer  Church, 7:00 am                          
Small Saints                              Choir Room 5:15 pm
Junior Choir                              Choir Room 5:30 pm
Adult Choir                                Choir Room 7:30 pm
For a full schedule of our buildings check the website calendar www.allsaintsmillington.org.

CHRISTIAN PRACTICES
Health
In this season of stewardship, as we are called to be on a journey of gratitude, one of the things that many of us are grateful for is our health…understood broadly. Others of us are facing challenges and disappointments with our health, mobility, and energy. And yet, we are still able to live with Christ-like attitudes, habits, and speech; and to give thanks for what we do have, rather than what we don’t have.
The following prayer from the Prayer Book, comes from the section on ministry to the sick (page 461), but it is a good prayer for all of us as we start our day, intending to be mindful and grateful for God’s presence and gifts.

In the Morning
This is another day, O Lord.  I know not what it will bring
forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be.  If I
am to stand up, help me to stand bravely.  If I am to sit still,
help me to sit quietly.  If I am to lie low, help me to do it
patiently.  And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. 
Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit
of Jesus.  Amen.
Question for Refection: How can you practice gratitude during a health challenge for you or a loved one?

Blessings, Vicki+

Dear Friends in Christ,
This coming week I will be gathering with the other clergy of the diocese, and Bishop Beckwith at the annual Clergy Conference in Shawnee, PA (Monday-Wednesday). This is part continuing education, part diocesan meeting, part gathering with friends and colleagues, and part down time. One of the highlights for me is always a hike on Tuesday afternoon with several friends along the Delaware River. There will be now Monday night Pilgrim group or Wednesday morning Bible study this week. During this time, if you have any pastoral emergencies, please call my cell phone and leave a message 973-886-4119. Or you may call the Shawnee Inn 800-742-9633 and besides my name, mention the Episcopal Diocese of Newark.

Then on Friday and Saturday (Oct. 27-28) I will travel to Washington, D.C. to officiate at the graveside funeral of my last remaining aunt (and godmother) who died in June. The service will be at Arlington National Cemetery, a first for me. Again, the cell number will be the best way to reach me. Thank you. ~ VGM+

Here is this week’s e-letter. Take a look at the announcements below, especially these highlights.

• Fall Fish & Chips (Fun & Fundraising)
• Reception for Molly Faerber (Parish Life)
• Family Promise (Helping Hands)
• Annual Pledge Campaign (Stewardship)
• Parish Directory Photos-Last Call (Parish Life)

+ + + + + + + +
FUN & FUNDRAISERS
THIS THURSDAY: Fish ‘n Chips with Argyle of Kearny, October 26, 5:30-7:30 pm!  Eat in or Take-out. Tickets on Sale tomorrow! $18 for adults/$9 for kids. ($20/$10 for walk-ins at the door). Please tell your friends and neighbors! Take a flyer to distribute to local shops or give to friends. And take a look at the sign-up poster in the Narthex to let us know how you can help – or e-mail us. We especially need people to set-up, serve, and clean-up. Thanks!

PARISH LIFE
TOMORROW: Reception for Molly Faerber, Sunday, Oct. 22 at 11:15 am. Molly has been our part-time book keeper and financial secretary, but full-time friend and support, for fifteen years. Due to her husband Ken’s health concerns, Molly has decided that it is time to retire. To thank Molly for her years of service to All Saints’, we will fête her with a finger food reception. Please join us, and bring some yummy to share, if you can. If not, bring yourself!

Trunk or Treat – Sunday School kids wear their Hallowe’en costumes, and adults provide the treats.  The kids trick-or-treat from car to car in the parking lot, and we have refreshments outside on Sunday, October 29 at 11:15 am. Please sign up in the Narthex to participate – kids and adults!

Annual Pledge Materials for the coming year, 2018, are in the Narthex tomorrow. Please pick up the envelope with your name on it....and save us some postage! The packet includes a letter, a pledge card, and some information about All Saints’ mission, ministry, and finances. You participation and support of our parish are very important.
 
This year, instead of printing a brochure listing all our various ministries and groups to which you can offer time and talent, we have put a list on the parish website, with a brief description of each group. Take a look at the list, then circle the ministries on the back of the pledge card with which you’d like to be involved. The link to the ministries list is here: http://www.allsaintsmillington.org/programs--ministries.html. Thank you for your prayerful consideration as we work together to make our mission of following Jesus in our community and in our surrounding communities a reality.

Prayer for our Parish Stewardship
Holy and Loving God,
in the midst of the uncertainties of life and the anxious times in which we live,
you call us to renew our trust in you each day.
As we make plans and provisions for
our church and ministries in the coming year,
help our trust to grow, and our generosity to be joyful;
and all in thanks and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

WORSHIP
Necrology for All Saints’ Sunday – at the start of our services on November 5 we’ll read the names of parishioners and loved ones who have died in the past year...or previous years; we’ll also print a list of all the names. If you would like to have someone included in the Necrology list, please e-mail the names to Susie Harris in the parish office at allsaints_church@hotmail.com by October 30.

All Saints’ Day Worship, Wed. Nov. 1, 9:15 am – this year we’ll mark All Saints’ Day itself with a simple celebration of the Eucharist and hymns. This will be before the regular Wednesday Bible Study. Hope you can join us, and start our parish feast day off right!

HELPING HANDS
Family Promise, Monday, Oct. 30 – It’s All Saints’ turn to host this Morris County shelter for homeless families getting back on their feet.  Please pray for the families, and for our volunteers Monday night. If you would like to know more about this ministry or want to help on our next scheduled date, please be in touch with coordinators Afsaneh Thursfield & Kathy Pfeil. Thanks.

VESTRY NEWS
Our drainage & steps construction project: What’s been done? The steps outside the sacristy door have been repaired (the concrete treads were crumbling), the Church side entrance steps have been newly rebuilt, the old open septic tank between the Rath House and the Church has been filled in, and the roof drainage pipes from the Church flat roofs and the Rath House have all been replaced and run to the drainage swale on the west edge of our property. All of this will keep water away from the foundations of our buildings – especially important on our site in which the soil is full of clay and retains water. Go take a look at what has been done. DSK Construction has done a great job!
 
For the short term, the path to the Memorial Garden in front of the Rath House is loose stone. The Vestry is looking into the possibility of eventually putting down commemorative pavers that can be inscribed with names. Thank you for your patience!
 
Accounting/Financial System – We have made the decision to switch to Quick Books, which will be much more streamlined and will produce simpler, more easy-to-access financial reports than our old system. There may be a few hiccups (as there always are with software), so please bear with us. If you have any questions, please speak to Barbara Barbeau, our new Financial Secretary.

CHRISTIAN FORMATION
No Bible Study or Pilgrim group this week – the Rector is away at the annual Clergy Conference of the Diocese of Newark. We’ll meet again on Oct. 30 and Nov. 1, respectively.

Parish Directory-Last Call for Photos - We are updating our Directory and will be including PHOTOS. Please send a photo of yourself or your family, and any changes to Susie Harris at her new email:  allsaints_church@hotmail.com. A headshot is best! If you need your photo scanned, drop it off and we will scan and return it!

DIOCESAN NEWS
Diocesan Website – here’s the link for news and information from our Diocese of Newark: http://dioceseofnewark.org/

PARISH CALENDAR
10/23-10/25:
Rector at Diocesan Clergy Conference
10/19:
Communion & Healing Prayer Church, 7:00 am                          
Small Saints                           Choir Room 5:15 pm
Junior Choir                          Choir Room 5:30 pm
Adult Choir                            Choir Room 7:30 pm
Fish & Chips                          Parish Hall 5:30 pm-7:30 pm
For a full schedule of our buildings check the website calendar www.allsaintsmillington.org.

CHRISTIAN PRACTICES
Gratitude
Gratitude, thankfulness, is at the heart of all Christian stewardship. We return thanks to God for all we have been given. Our gratitude starts in the heart and mind, and then develops into our actions. But there are also times when we might be feeling scared, or grudging, or lazy or angry. Then acting with gratitude, or recalling our blessings and the goodness of God, can move us to the place where our attitude is one of thankfulness… a “gratitude adjustment”!

As we are in this particular season of stewardship, in which we offer to God our resources for the Lord’s work in and through All Saints’, let us hear from an Anglican from days gone by (the early 18th century):
“The greatest saint in the world is not he who prays most or fasts most; it is not he who gives alms, or is most eminent for temperance, chastity or justice. It is he who is most thankful to God…. To be always in a thankful state of heart before God is not to be considered a high plane of spirituality but rather the normal attitude of one who believes that ‘all things work together for good to them that love God, who are called according to his purpose.’”
        ~ William Law https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Law
Question for Refection: For what are you most grateful?

Blessings, Vicki+

Dear Friends in Christ,
Here is this week’s e-letter. Take a look at the announcements below, especially these highlights.

• Fall Fish & Chips (Fun & Fundraising)
• Reception for Molly Faerber (Parish Life)
• Family Promise (Helping Hands)
• Millington Downtown Day (Around the Neighborhood)
• Construction (Vestry News)
• Stewardship (Christian Practices)
• Middle School Sunday School (Christian Formation)
• Twelve Baskets Food Pantry Walk-in Day (Helping Hands)

+ + + + + + + +
FUN & FUNDRAISERS
Fall Fish ‘n Chips with Argyle of Kearney Thursday, October 26, 5:30-7:30 pm!  Eat in or Take-out. Tickets on Sale today! $18 for adults/$9 for kids. ($20/$10 for walk-ins at the door). Please tell your friends and neighbors! Take a flyer to distribute to local shops or give to friends. And take a look at the sign-up poster in the Narthex to let us know how you can help. We especially need people to bake desserts and to serve on the night. Thanks!

PARISH LIFE
Reception for Molly Faerber, Sunday, Oct. 22 at 11:15 am. Molly has been our part-time book keeper and financial secretary, but full-time friend and support, for fifteen years. Due to her husband Ken’s health concerns, Molly has decided that it is time to retire. To thank Molly for her years of service to All Saints’, we will fête her with a finger food reception. Please sign-up to let us know what you can bring!

Trunk or Treat – Sunday School kids wear their Hallowe’en costumes, and adults provide the treats.  The kids trick-or-treat from car to car in the parking lot, and we have refreshments outside on Sunday, October 29 at 11:15 am. Please sign up in the Narthex to participate – kids and adults!

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Millington Downtown Day – Sunday, Oct. 15, 11 am-3 pm. All Saints’ will have a table at this street fair, selling our parish cookbooks, raffling off an antique hand-made coverlet from the Rummage Sale, and offering church brochures and information, and being a friendly face of All Saints’ in our community. We need another few people to staff the table for an hour on the day and be part of this ministry of connection and awareness. If you can help with this, please email Mother Vicki at allsaints_rector@hotmail.com. Thanks!

HELPING HANDS
Twelve Baskets Food Pantry Walk-in Day, Saturday, Oct. 21, 9 am-1:00 pm.
As a next step in our food ministry, we are experimenting with offering walk-in hours from our Parish House next Saturday morning. This kind of distribution also allows us to receive free dairy and produce from the Community FoodBank. We are contacting our regular clients, and we’ll also have flyers to distribute at Millington Downtown Day. We serve members of the Long Hill commmunity, friends and family of parishioners, and Veterans. We’d love to have you help for an hour or two on Saturday! Interested? Please speak to Jane Hayden or Mother Vicki.

FAMILY PROMISE, Monday, Oct. 30 – It’s All Saints’ turn to host this Morris County shelter for homeless families getting back on their feet. The families are housed for the week at Trinity House/Shrine of St. Joseph in Stirling. We are asked to provide dinner (Meatloaf, Vegetable, Starch, Chicken nuggets/something child friendly, Salad, Fruit, Dessert), two greeters (5:30-8:30 pm), and two people for overnight duty (7:30 pm-6:30 am) on this date. Here are more details from coordinator Afsaneh Thursfield: “The greeters for the meal help set up and talk with our guests as they come in, eat and get settled for the night.  And we all pitch in to clean up after dinner. Please consider either making a dish, dropping it off and/or staying and meeting our guests.  Or come stay overnight - the rooms are cozy, private and clean! The guests are so grateful for your contribution and it gives us great pride in being of service to others.” Please be in touch with Coordinators Afsaneh Thursfield & Kathy Pfeil if you can help with this ministry. Thanks.

VESTRY NEWS
The construction project to assist with our drainage and deteriorating steps is nearly finished. It turns out that large underground cistern was an old, abandoned septic tank. And the drainage leading away from the back of the church roof  was so clogged and broken that the leader had standing water in it! For the short term, the path to the Memorial Garden in front of the Rath House is loose stone. The Vestry is looking into the possibility of eventually putting down commemorative pavers that can be inscribed with names. Thank you for your patience!
 
Accounting/Financial System – We have made the decision to switch to Quick Books, which will be much more streamlined and will produce simpler, more easy-to-access financial reports than our old system. There may be a few hiccups (as there always are with software), so please bear with us. If you have any questions, please speak to Barbara Barbeau, our new Financial Secretary.

CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Middle School Sunday School Class for Grades 6-8 – Suzanne Kosempel (with assistance from Joyce Kulzer) will be teaching this class in the Rath House Living Room, on Sundays at 10 am. Students will go to their class before joining their families in worship at the Peace.  All Middle Schoolers are welcome and encouraged to participate.

Bible Study meets on Wednesdays at 10:15 am in the Rath House. This is a lively, prayerful, and inquisitive group. You and your questions are welcome here. This week: First Corinthians, Chapter 7. You can bring your own Bible, or use one of ours. Hope to see you there!

Parish Directory We are updating our Directory and will be including PHOTOS. Please send a photo of yourself or your family, and any changes to Susie Harris at her new email:  allsaints_church@hotmail.com. A headshot is best! If you need your photo scanned, drop it off and we will scan and return it!

WORSHIP
Necrology for All Saints’ Sunday – at the start of our services on November 5 we’ll read the names of parishioners and loved ones who have died in the past year...or previous years; we’ll also print a list of all the names. If you would like to have someone included on the Necrology list, please e-mail the names to Susie Harris in the parish office at allsaints_church@hotmail.com by October 30.

DIOCESAN NEWS
Diocesan Website – here’s the link for news and information from our Diocese of Newark: http://dioceseofnewark.org/

PARISH CALENDAR
10/16 Evening Prayer      Church, 6:30 pm
    Pilgrim Group         Rath House, 7:00 pm
10/17 Finance Committee Rath House, 7:30 pm
10/18 Bible Study              Rath House, 10:15 am
10/19 Communion &         Church, 7:00 am
              Healing Prayer     
Small Saints             Choir Room 5:15 pm
Junior Choir            Choir Room 5:30 pm
Adult Choir              Choir Room 7:30 pm
10/21 Food Pantry Open   Parish Hall 9:00 am-1:00 pm
For a full schedule of our buildings check the website calendar www.allsaintsmillington.org.

CHRISTIAN PRACTICES
Stewardship

Why Do People Give?
(adapted from Cathy Clement, retired Director of Philanthropy at Five Acres &board member at The Episcopal Network for Stewardship)
“Why do people give? Here’s why I give to my parish”:  
No. 10: It’s a habit. It’s how I was raised. From my earliest days in Sunday school at Holy Faith in Inglewood, California, I remember folding little blue mite boxes for depositing my weekly offering every Lent.
No. 9: The Bible tells me so. From kindergarten in a little Christian School to my master’s at Fuller Theological Seminary, I learned that the Bible teaches us to give back. Sharing my resources is clearly a biblical value.
No. 8: Giving to my parish is fun. Stewardship at All Saints, Pasadena always involves a party. As our rector said in a recent sermon, Jesus’ parables often ended in a party. And as I understand it, heaven is going to be one mega-party.
No. 7: Giving to my parish feels good. I think Jesus was on to something when he said it is more blessed to give than to receive. And studies show that people who give live longer.
No. 6: I give to change the world. My parish is plugged in to where I can make the most difference in addressing the world’s greatest needs. My parish stretches me.
No. 5: My parish is my community. I have made lifelong friends there; I was married there, and will be buried there. At my parish I’m part of something larger than myself.
No. 4: My parish is inclusive and not only with a capital “I.” I was tenderly included when I was out of work, when I battled cancer, and when my husband died.
No. 3: I’ve been blessed and want to be a blessing to others. I am blessed to be able to continue to tithe my income in my retirement. My parish is a priority in my budget.
No. 2: I want to leave a legacy. I am indebted to visionary parishioners from whom I inherited the church I love. I owe the same to future generations.
No. 1:  I give because I was asked. In turn I’d like to ask you. Won’t you join me in pledging your financial support on this awesome journey of faith?

For Reflection....

• Why do you give?
• Is giving to your parish different than giving to other ministries? to other charities? How?

The theme for this year’s annual stewardship campaign is “Journey to Generosity.” Here is the prayer we will be using during our campaign this fall:

Prayer for our Parish Stewardship

Holy and Loving God,
in the midst of the uncertainties of life and the anxious times in which we live,
you call us to renew our trust in you each day.
As we make plans and provisions for
our church and ministries in the coming year,
help our trust to grow, and our generosity to be joyful;
and all in thanks and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 
Blessings, Vicki+

Dear Friends in Christ,
Here is this week’s e-letter. Our Parish Administrator Susie Harris will be back in the office after her vacation on Monday, October 9. Thanks to everyone who stepped up and helped with some of the regular parish tasks while she was away. Please check out the details look over the announcements below, as well as these other highlights:

• Middle School Sunday School (Christian Formation)
• Fall Fish & Chips (Fun & Fundraising)
• Dinner for Vets & Community Support (Helping Hands)
• Altar Guild Dinner & Meeting (Worship)
• Family Promise (Helping Hands)
• Millington Downtown Day (Around the Neighborhood)
• Financial Secretary (Vestry News)
• Stewardship (Christian Practices)

+ + + + + + + +
FUN & FUNDRAISERS
Fall Fish ‘n Chips with Argyle of Kearney Thursday, October 26, 5:30-7:30 pm!  Eat in or Take-out. Tickets are $18 for adults/$9 for kids. ($20/$10 for walk-ins at the door). Please tell your friends and neighbors! Take a flyer to distribute to local shops or give to friends. And take a look at the sign-up poster in the Narthex to let us know how you can help: set-up, clean-up, serving tables, take tickets at the door, put out yard signs, pack take-out bags, make cold drinks, bake desserts (pies, brownies, cookies, etc.). Thanks!

PARISH LIFE
Reception for Molly Faerber, Sunday, Oct. 22 at 11:15 am. Molly has been our part-time book keeper and financial secretary, but full-time friend and support, for fifteen years. Due to her husband Ken’s health concerns, Molly has decided that it is time to retire. To thank Molly for her years of service to All Saints’, we will fête her with a finger food reception. Please sign-up to let us know what you can bring!

Trunk or Treat – Sunday School kids wear their Hallowe’en costumes, and adults provide the treats.  The kids trick-or-treat from car to car in the parking lot, and we have refreshments outside on Sunday, October 29 at 11:15 am. Please sign up in the Narthex to participate – kids and adults!

HELPING HANDS
TONIGHT - Our Next Dinner for Vets from the V.A. Hospital in Lyons and Vets in our wider community is Sat., Oct. 7 at 5:30 pm in the Parish House. We welcome parishioners to offer hospitality through cooking, serving, sharing dinner table conversation, clean-up. The costs of the food and supplies for this dinner are being supported by a gift from Millington Bank who have made supporting Vets a priority for community outreach. We are grateful for their partnership. Providing opportunities for fellowship and friendship with Vets in our community is one way of joining what God is doing in our neighborhood. Want to be part of it next time? Speak to Kerrie Stepko.

FAMILY PROMISE, Monday, Oct. 30 – It’s All Saints’ turn to host this Morris County shelter for homeless families getting back on their feet. The families are housed for the week at Trinity House/Shrine of St. Joseph in Stirling. We are asked to provide dinner (Meatloaf, Vegetable, Starch, Chicken nuggets/something child friendly, Salad, Fruit, Dessert), two greeters (5:30-8:30 pm), and two people for overnight duty (7:30 pm-6:30 am) on this date. Here are more details from coordinator Afsaneh Thursfield: “The greeters for the meal help set up and talk with our guests as they come in, eat and get settled for the night.  And we all pitch in to clean up after dinner. Please consider either making a dish, dropping it off and/or staying and meeting our guests.  Or come stay overnight - the rooms are cozy, private and clean! The guests are so grateful for your contribution and it gives us great pride in being of service to others.” Please be in touch with Coordinators Afsaneh Thursfield & Kathy Pfeil if you can help with this ministry. Thanks.

VESTRY NEWS
Excavation Work - The contractor for our drainage project between the Church and the Rath House has been slightly delayed. The construction will now begin on Monday, Oct. 9 and will take three days. This work will help to eradicate the erosion around the foundation of the Church, reduce the dampness in the Rath House basement, and eliminate the old underground run-off cistern. Thanks for your patience!
 
Financial Secretary - Barbara Barbeau has agreed (with the Vestry’s consent) to serve as Financial Secretary as a volunteer. She takes up this role due to Molly Faerber’s retirement. With this change of personnel, we will also be updating our accounting software to Quick Books, on the recommendation of our auditor. During this transition time we’ll all be getting adjusted, so please bear with us. Welcome, and thank you, Barbara!

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Millington Downtown Day – Sunday, Oct. 15, 11 am-3 pm. All Saints’ will have a table at this street fair, selling our parish cookbooks, raffling off an antique hand-made coverlet from the Rummage Sale, and offering church brochures and information, and being a friendly face of All Saints’ in our community. We need people to staff the table for an hour or two on the day and be part of this ministry of connection and awareness. There’s a sign-up sheet on the table in the Narthex. Thanks!

CHRISTIAN FORMATION
Middle School Sunday School Class for Grades 6-8 – Suzanne Kosempel (with assistance from Joyce Kulzer) will be teaching this class in the Rath House Living Room, starting this Sunday, Oct. 8 at 10 am. Students will go to their class before joining their families in worship at the Peace.  All Middle Schoolers are welcome and encouraged to participate.

Bible Study meets on Wednesdays at 10:15 am in the Rath House. This is a lively, prayerful, and inquisitive group. You and your questions are welcome here. This week: First Corinthians, Chapter 6. You can bring your own Bible, or use one of ours. Hope to see you there!

Parish Directory We are updating our Directory and will be including PHOTOS. Please send a photo of yourself or your family, and any changes to Susie Harris at her new email:  allsaints_church@hotmail.com. A headshot is best! If you need your photo scanned, drop it off and we will scan and return it!

Altar Guild Meeting and Dinner, Thursday, Oct. 12 at 6 pm in the Rath House. This is the Altar Guild’s annual meeting and social time. Members are asked to bring a side dish or dessert. Please RSVP to Liz Gorny. What does the Altar Guild do? They care for “all things altar”, meaning the different colored seasonal fabrics/hangings, the Communion vessels and linens, polish silver, set up the Church and altar for worship (Sundays, holidays, and mid-week and clean up afterward. The Guild works in teams – one team serving one week per month, with everyone helping to decorate for Christmas and Easter. New members – men and women – are always welcome and encouraged! For more information, speak to Liz Gorny or Mother Vicki. 

Service Music at 10 am – this fall we have been learning a new setting of the Sanctus (Holy, holy, holy) and the Fraction Anthem (Lamb of God). This week we will begin learning a new setting of the Gloria, as well. And then when the season changes we’ll go back to some of our well-known settings. Learning new things keeps our worship fresh. But if you find it challenging, be patient with yourself and hang in there. God loves it when we sing the Lord’s praises, no matter how we think it sounds!

Sponsor-a-Hymn Dedicate a hymn in honor of a birthday, anniversary, baptismal anniversary, graduation, or other special event. Cost is $35 per Sunday for one hymn, and your dedication will be printed in the bulletin, and the person being remembered will be included in the prayers. There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex. Thanks. 

DIOCESAN NEWS
Diocesan Website – here’s the link for news and information from our Diocese of Newark: http://dioceseofnewark.org/

PARISH CALENDAR
10/9    Evening Prayer        Church, 6:30 pm
            Pilgrim Group           Rath House, 7:00 pm
10/10 Finance Commt.       Rath House, 7:30 pm
10/11 Bible Study                Rath House, 10:15 am
10/12 Communion &          Church, 7:00 am
                Healing Prayer    
            Altar Guild Meeting Rath House, 6:00 pm
           Small Saints               Choir Room 5:15 pm
           Junior Choir               Choir Room 5:30 pm
           Adult Choir                Choir Room 7:30 pm
For a full schedule of our buildings check the website calendar www.allsaintsmillington.org.

CHRISTIAN PRACTICES
Stewardship
“Every faculty you have, your power of thinking or of moving your limbs from moment to moment, is given you by God. If you devoted every moment of your whole life exclusively to His service, you could not give Him anything that was not in a sense His own already.” – C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Many people (at least in the Church) associate the word “stewardship” with financial support, the parish budget, and fund-raising campaigns, and for good reason. Any church – All Saints’ included – is dependent entirely on the contributions of its members and funds it can raise from other sources (space rentals, community donations or grants, fund-raising events). This is why the annual fall pledge campaign is so important; it helps us to gather financial promises and expectations for the coming year so we can set a realistic budget to support the parish's mission and ministry. However, if we think of stewardship only in dollars-and-cents terms, we’d have far too small a picture of its true meaning.

Stewardship – for followers of Jesus – is about making good, wise, prayerful, and holy decisions about all that God has given us: time, talents and abilities, education, relationships, work, the Creation that surrounds and supports us, the building and structures that shelter us, our faith, our bodies, our money. All of these are gifts from God. Being good stewards of these gifts means that we use and care for them well, and we return thanks to God by using a portion of them in God’s service. It is part of our way of life, and our way of faith.

How do you decide what portion of the gifts you have been given will be returned to God, paid forward, offered up for service in Christ’s name?

Blessings, Vicki+