From the Rector

Behold the Light of Christ!

Let others see your good works and give glory to your God.

Epiphany is the season in which we look at the light of Christ shining in a dark and cold world. Our buildings stand as a witness to Christ’s importance in our lives. They can be a beacon of hope to those seeking solace or meaning in their lives. But we know that the buildings are not the sum of the Church. How we reach out to those outside of our congregation is an even more powerful beacon of Christ’s love. All Saints’ has long been known for our involvement in the community and the world. Some of these efforts are part of intentional programs, and others are the efforts of individuals. Yet, I am aware that as we have many new members, it is not always easy to figure out how to get involved in outreach.

As we begin a new year Dave Kuzara is heading an effort to raise the visibility of our outreach efforts. Through an Outreach Summit, to be held in February, we hope to look at what we have done in the past, what we are doing, and how might we integrate our efforts more fully into the life of the Congregation.

Over the past couple of years, Dave, along with Rich Jerome, has been on the Habitat for Humanity’s Church Relations Committee. After visiting many other congregations, he commented to me that the strongest churches in the area are the ones that have active and visible outreach opportunities. Now it might be that strong parishes do outreach, or that outreach results in strong parishes. In either case, he and I believe that All Saints is ready and willing to be this kind of beacon of Christ’s love. We do, however, need to figure out how to do this without exhausting a few volunteers. The Outreach Summit will gather those with interest and experience to outline goals and procedures for our outreach activities. Please contact him if you have any thoughts or ideas.

Meanwhile please use the list on the next page of this issue of Saints Alive as a guide to some of the outreach opportunities and contact people at All Saints’.

Let us all be the light of Christ!

Peace,

Tom

THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY

The end of Christmas and the celebration of the three kings bringing gifts to the baby Jesus

Thursday, January 6^th

Pot Luck Dinner at 6:00 PM

Please bring a dish to pass.

Holy Eucharist with the Children, Youth and Adult choirs in the main church at 7:00 PM

OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES: The partial list begins on the following page.

Outreach Opportunities

-- A Partial Listing

St. Paul’s Feeding Program – Preparing and serving a hot meal on the second Wednesday of the month at St. Paul’s Methodist Church on Hurd Street in Lowell. Contact Esther Davenport 978-256-0638

Thrift Shop – Selling gently used clothes at low prices with the proceeds going to support the Children’s ministries, the Rector’s Discretionary Fund and a wide variety of social service agencies in the greater Lowell area. Open on Wednesday, Saturdays and some Thursdays. Contact Carol Cannistraro 978-256-0929

Refugee Immigration Ministry (RIM) – Working with other Chelmsford churches to sponsor refugees and asylum seekers. We are currently sponsoring a family from Uganda. There will be a meeting on Wednesday, January 5^th at 7:30 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church. Contact Deb Dutton 978-692-6301

Habitat for Humanity – Building houses for low income families. We currently do not have a team working with Habitat. Contact Dave Kuzara 978-256-5484

Merrimack Valley Project (MVP) – MVP works to organize individuals and groups to address issues of employment and housing. The Lowell branch is beginning to research organizing around Section 8 and affordable housing. Interested persons are invited to join them on Tuesday, January 11^th at 8AM (over breakfast) at Brazilian's Bread House on Merrimack Street in Lowell. Contact Tom Barrington – 978-256-5673. See article in this issue of Saints Alive.

Greater Lowell Walk for Hunger- Held every Good Friday to raise funds for a number of agencies addressing hunger and homelessness. They are especially interesting in reconnecting with folks from the churches in Chelmsford. Organizational meeting on Monday, January 3^rd at 7:30 PM at the Roudenbush Community Center, 73 main Street Westford. Contact David Eberiel - 978-256-3539

Forum on Faith & the World - On January 26^th at 7:00 PM, the Forum on Faith in the World is presenting a program on affordable housing and the work MVP is doing to address it. All are invited to learn and share how affordable housing is an issue that affects all of us. The meeting will be in the Cranberry Room.

Working with group from Sierra Leone – Last fall a group from Sierra Leone addressed the Forum on Faith and the World about gathering school supplies to be sent to schools in their war ravaged home country. On Friday, January 14^th at 6:30 PM we will be hosting a pot luck dinner with members of their group to continue this conversation. We hope to have a dinner in the spring featuring African foods with the proceeds going to help pay for shipping of supplies. Contact Tom Barrington or Dave Kuzara.

Chelmsford at 350:

Town Birthday Parties Begin

Sunday, January 30^th at 3:00 PM at the Chelmsford Senior Center on Route 40, North Chelmsford

The event will feature music from many of the Chelmsford churches and congregations. Our choir will be performing. This is the kick-off event for a year full of special events to recognize the founding of Chelmsford 350 years ago.

All Saints’ Church Annual Meeting

The parish’s annual meeting will be held on Sunday February 6^th after the 10:00 AM service.

Bottles and Cans

Through your generous contribution of bottles and cans over the past year, we have collected $295.50! This is a banner year and brings the 7 year total to $1,465.45. The money has gone to a number of special funds over the years including Building and Kitchen Funds. It is a very easy way to raise funds. If more people would contribute their empty redeemable beverage bottles and cans, we could raise even more. Just drop them off in the storage area just outside the kitchen. This is where the tables and chairs are stored. The area is checked every week and the bottles and cans redeemed at local stores or, when there is a large quantity, at the redemption center in Lowell.

Affordable Housing

– What Can We Do?

Nobody needs to be told that there is an affordable housing crisis in this region. There are many individuals in Chelmsford who are a paycheck or two from being homeless. If you do not have a paycheck, if you are retired and on a fixed income or if you are not able to work, you are in trouble. There are some subsidized housing units in Chelmsford but the waiting list is very long. There is also Section 8 Housing, a federal housing program which provides housing assistance to low-income renters and homeowners. Unfortunately, here too there is a much greater demand than availability. Section 8 is also being squeezed by budget cuts.

So, what can you do?

The Merrimack Valley Project (MVP) is beginning an initiative to gather local information about Section 8 Housing in order to organize and communicate to policy-makers how Section 8 could work better in the Greater Lowell region. If you are interested in getting in at the ground floor of this effort please plan to join them on January 11^th at 8AM (over breakfast) at Brazilian's Bread House on Merrimack Street in Lowell. For more information please speak to the Rector or call Joy Cushman at MVP, 978-686-0650.

On January 26^th at 7:00 PM, the Forum on Faith in the World is presenting a program on affordable housing and the work MVP is doing to address it. All are invited to learn and share how affordable housing is an issue that affects all of us. The meeting will be in the Cranberry Room.

Vestry Corner

At an early December Vestry meeting we pretty much wrapped up the 2005 budget. The process was much less painful than in recent years, even in light of the fact that we are now paying finance charges on the loans covering the renovation project. Two significant factors led to this year's relatively easy budget cycle.

First, our new Stewardship Ministry team did an excellent job with the fall pledge drive. The response from the parish was incredible, raising our pledges from around $168K in 2004 to over $191K

in 2005, with several more pledges still expected over the next several weeks. We are also blessed that those who are retired or on fixed income still maintained very generous pledges for 2005.

Significantly for the budget process, Stewardship got their job done early. We had fairly accurate initial projections by Mid-November, meaning that the Vestry could do real budget work starting in November rather than having to wait until later in December.

Second, rental income is poised for incredible growth in 2005. 2004 rental income is expected to clear $15K, which is $3K higher than the 2004 budget. We may exceed $25K in rental income during 2005 if several long-term renters come through as anticipated. I suppose we shouldn't be so surprised about this. After all, one of the selling points for the renovation project was that rental income would increase dramatically.

As this year comes to a close, I reflect back on an emotional 12 month period. We started the year with a new facility and an uncertain economy. We were rocked by deaths of parishioners, but refreshed by baptisms and new faces. The only explanation for why we become stronger in spirit while the world around us lurches forward in fits and starts is because of the grace of God. Powerful stuff, that grace.

I hope everyone has a peaceful Christmas. We all deserve it!

Matt Hickcox, Sr. Warden

Vestry Members

Vestry Members

Stephanie Ackert Scott Bempkins Richard Coles

Robb Dussault Lois Freeman Steve Grillo

Judy Glidden Rob Knapp Sally Warren

Connie Pawelczak, Junior Warden

Matt Hickcox, Senior Warden

Kevin Davis, Treasurer

Barbara Willman, Clerk

Stewardship of Energy Consumption (Part 2)

An initial Saints’ Alive article in November reported on the visit of Lara Hoke from Massachusetts Interfaith Power & Light (MIP&L) to All Saints’ church on October 10^th, Environmental Stewardship Sunday. We discussed hidden costs of conventional power sources. She introduced the possibility of using electricity from alternative sources.

Massachusetts residents have access to electricity produced by alternate energy sources such as solar panels, wind, hydro and biomass (landfill gas). Electric energy arrives to the home via the cycle of generation, transmission and distribution. The public has little choice over transmission and distribution. However because of changes in Massachusetts energy policy known as deregulation residents can now choose our electricity supplier!

There are two direct ways that we can buy electricity from renewable energy sources. For N-Star customers green tags are available. For residents in Chelmsford and the surrounding areas it is more likely that the main provider is Massachusetts Electric. Mass Electric offers deliverable renewable products under the GreenUp program. The GreenUp program provides several generating companies that are listed as choices. Customers can review their choices and choose their supplier. Once signed onto the GreenUp plan the customer will receive their usual monthly Mass Electric Bill. Your monthly bill will reflect approximately a $20± premium, and this extra amount is sent on to the GreenUp supplier.

GreenUp and Massachusetts Interfaith Power and Light (MIP&L) have an agreement. For every household in a parish that signs up to buy the GreenUp product, the congregation receives $10 toward MIP&L membership dues. Membership dues are on a sliding scale dependent on congregation size. Larger wealthier parishes pay higher dues than smaller poorer parishes, thereby helping smaller parishes participate in the successful society wide transition to cleaner, healthier, renewable energy. Membership in MIP&L brings several concrete benefits. At the top of the list of benefits is the public statement that All Saints’ as a parish is committed to the protection and care of creation. We are active stewards of our environment. First year membership brings to our parish:

· An energy audit

· Consultation on renewable options, site-specific to All Saints

· Follow-up meetings

· Eligibility for rebates

· Option to participate in oil buying groups

· Free home energy audits for all parishioners

· General advice and support

· Communication through workshops, meetings, newsletter and website

These benefits continue after the first year. It is important to note that our membership, both initial and ongoing, helps to support the spread of MIP&L’s advocacy. MIP&L works hard to educate and to increase public awareness about renewable energy. They are actively striving to achieve a transition from unhealthy energy policy to clean, healthy, sustainable energy practices. Their system of membership is designed to allow poorer congregations to participate in these important transitions, not to just talk about environmental stewardship but to live environmental stewardship.

The environmental stewardship members at All Saints’ would like our parish to participate in and benefit from an active membership in MIP&L. We propose a challenge. Our proposed goal is that by the end of the church year 50 families from All Saints will buy one of the several renewable energy products offered through Massachusetts Electric program. This will pay for ~50% of our membership in MIP&L. Importantly the participation in GreenUp supports the market for Green Energy. It is environmental stewardship in action. It is participation in a social transition important to the health of our children, the health of our poor, to the health of our economy and institutions and to the health of that which has no price, God’s astounding creation. Accompanying this issue is a summary of the GreenUp options and the sign-up card information.

Useful related web sites are:

· www.GreenerWattsNewEngland.com

· www.masselectric.com/greenupenergy

Liz Marshall, Harry Taplin and Pamela Landi are available to answer any questions.

All Saints’ Adult Christian Formation

Upcoming Events

January 6

January 11 Silent Night 7:00- 8:30pm

January 13 Inquirers’ Class begins 7:30- 9:00pm

January 20 Inquirers’ Class 7:30- 9:00pm

January 27 Inquirers’ Class 7:30- 9:00pm

February 3 Inquirers’ Class ends 7:30- 9:00pm

February 9 Ash Wednesday—Beginning of Lent

What a rich month December was! I especially appreciated the moments of light—opening our services with the lighting of the Advent Wreath, the Blue Room transformed by candles and greenery and silence into a prayer space on December 11 when Bishop Gayle Harris visited our parish, the beautiful music and candlelight at lessons and Carols. A season of abundance!

This month of January brings winter, a rest from the busyness of Christmas, and some opportunities to nurture your spiritual life as you enjoy the weather or eagerly await springtime or some of both. This newsletter is full of opportunities—come celebrate the feast of the Epiphany on Thursday January 6; find some silence and fellowship with the contemplative group on Tuesday January 11; read the next selection for the All Saints’ Book Discussion Group; learn more about the Episcopal Church and your faith by taking the Inquirers’ Class. This is a perfect time to make space to nurture your soul and your connection with your parish community.

in peace,

Amy Hunter

Associate for Adult Christian Formation

Parishwide Winter Weekend

Parishwide 26th Anniversary Winter Weekend Getaway Jan 28 - Jan 30, 2005

It's getting to be that time to think about attending next year's Winter-Weekend at Sentinel Baptist camp in Tuftonburo, NH. This parish event will be held from Friday afternoon, Jan 28th, through Sunday afternoon, Jan 30^th, 2005.

All Saints' Church has held Winter Weekend at Sentinel Lodge since 1978. This means that this will be the 26th anniversary of All Saints' having a winter retreat at Sentinel!

Camp Sentinel is a Baptist camp located in the remote town of Tuftonburo, NH (about 2 ¼ hours from Chelmsford). The lodge was originally a summer home and sits among 650 acres of woodland. The location is extraordinarily peaceful and beautiful. Kids enjoy sledding and playing in the snow and (if it's cold enough) skating on Dan Hole Pond.

The lodge is fairly large and accommodates roughly 55 people. The "main room" of the lodge has an 8' wide stone fireplace to warm cold feet. Overall, the lodge could be described as "rustic".

Contact the parish office at 978-256-5673 if you would like to attend or need more information.

Inquirers’ Class

Inquirers’ Class begins this month. Several folks have signed up and there is certainly room for more. Join us for four sessions that explore the basics of what it means to be an Episcopalian and invite participants to consider their own personal faith journeys. The Rev. Tom Barrington and Amy Hunter will lead the class and expect that it will be rewarding and fun for those who gather.

Dates for the classes are Thursday evenings, January 13, 20, 27 and February 3 (finishing up right before Lent), meeting 7:30- 9:00 in the Blue Room.

The four sessions will cover:

Christian Identity: What has brought us to this place? What do our baptisms mean?

Anglican Spirituality: What are the characteristics that give the Episcopal Church its distinct expression of the Christian faith?

History of and Authority in the Episcopal Church: What are the stories of the Church of England and the Episcopal Church in America? How does this Church understand the authority of Scripture, Reason, and Tradition?

Organization and Mission in the Episcopal Church: What is the structure of All Saints’ Church? What do you need and expect from this parish? What does this parish need and expect from its members?

Please speak with Tom or Amy if you wish to participate.

All Saints’ Book Discussion Group Examines Faith and Citizenship

The next selection for the parish book discussion group is Broken We Kneel: Reflections on Faith and Citizenship by Diana Butler Bass. Quoting from amazon.com (check out their website for more information and reviews about this book): “Bass is senior research fellow and director of the Project on Congregations of Intentional Practice Drawing on her personal experience as well as her knowledge of religious history, Diana Butler Bass examines the contours of the uniquely American relationship between church and state, Christian identity and patriotism, citizenship and congregational life. Broken We Kneel attempts to answer the central question that so many are struggling with in this age of terror: ‘To whom do Christians owe their deepest allegiance? God or country?’” I hope that folks will read and then join to discuss how we find ourselves called to live as Christians and Americans in the present time.

I can order copies for around $16. Let me know by Sunday, January 16 if you would like a book. We will meet Sunday, March 13 at noon in the Blue Room for lunch and discussion.

If you have any questions, please contact me.

Amy Hunter

Associate for Adult Christian Formation

Host Families Needed

The All Saints' family is hosting a contingent from St. Peter's Collegiate School in Wolverhampton, England for the third time!

Over 65 adults and youth will be in Chelmsford from February 11 - February 17 (the week before our school vacation) and we are asking for host families for this week.

Most of the Wolverhampton youth have been paired up, so the average family would be hosting 2 people. Since technology has improved dramatically since our last visit 5 years ago, we can exchange information prior to their coming via e-mail, so you can get to know your guests in advance!

Most of their time will be scheduled as a group, but there will be some opportunities to do things on your own with guests. Ideally, host families would be available during the day to transport youth to rehearsals or other engagements. Please contact me if you would like to know more.

Dub Dutton is acting as the housing coordinator for this venture, and she can be reached at debdutton@hotmail.com or at (978)692-6301. If you are a family where both parents work, arrangements can be made to have your guests transported to their daytime engagements. I hope that many of you will embark on this international, musical, totally enjoyable adventure!

Maggie Marshall Minister of Music maggie@ccc.com, (978)251-1296

Musical Notes

January 6, the Epiphany: Family potluck at 6 p.m. followed by Holy Eucharist in church at 7 p.m. Music by Children's and Junior Choirs.

Fall Hours at the Thrift Shop

Please note that hours for the Thrift Shop are Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday 10am to 3pm, and the first Wednesday evening of every month from 7 to 9.

Take-in of gently used clothes for consignment will still be the first two weeks of the month; donations may be made at any time.

The Thrift Shop Board of Directors

Parish Contact List

(All phone numbers are area code 978 unless indicated)

Church Office...................................... 256-5673

Senior Warden....... Matt Hickcox

Junior Warden........ Connie Pawelczak

Treasurer............... Kevin Davis

Clerk..................... Barbara Willman

Acolyte Director.... Clem Cole

Adult Education...... Amy Hunter

Altar Guild............. Liz Landers

Buildings and…….. Paul McElroy

Grounds

Christian School.....Ellen Twitchell

Laura Marshall

Sharon Cornellier

Coffee Hour.......... Cindy Dussault

Endowment ........... Jean McCaffery

Environmental Stewardship

Committee............. Liz Marshall

Fellowship.............. Meredith McElroy

Finance.................. Clem Cole

Music Minister....... Maggie Marshall

Outreach............... Dave Kuzara

Pastoral Care......... Joy Chadwick

Saints Alive............ Patrick Blumeris

Stewardship........... Steve Grillo

Thrift Shop............. Carol Cannistraro

Youth Group.......... Judy Glidden

Webmaster............ Steve Sullivan

Web site................ www.allsaintschelmsford.org

Submission

… for the February 2005 Saints Alive! is

January 16^th, 2005

Please leave your articles in the Saints Alive! mailbox in the church office, or send them via email to SaintsAlive@yahoo.com

Thanks.