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SAINTS Alive! THE NEWSLETTER OF THE PARISH All Saints’ Church Chelmsford, MA January 2009
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SAINTS Alive! THE NEWSLETTER OF THE PARISH All Saints’ Church Chelmsford, MA January 2009
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"We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote." John 1:45
John records an exciting time of change and hope as Philip breathlessly tells Nathanael about his first encounter with Jesus of Nazareth. Nathanael responds skeptically "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?"
As our nation anticipates the inauguration of Barack Obama, I sometimes get the feeling that there are expectations that he will be our nation’s, and the world’s, savior. I might not be a cynical as Nathanael, but I believe that we must be cautious. Now please do not get me wrong. I am excited and feeling hopeful about his presidency. However, let us remember that Jesus Christ is our example and the standard by which we must judge the world and ourselves.
Whether one voted for Barack Obama or not, let us hold him and our nation in our prayers. These are challenging times and all of our political, civic and religious leaders need our prayers. Let us also strive to be engaged in the decisions and policies of the new administration. In doing so I would urge you to use the standards of joining God in God’s mission of reconciling all Creation back into relationship with God’s self. This means that instead of solely using the standard of what will benefit me and mine, consider what will benefit the least, the last, and the lost. Consider what will help save our planet, create lasting peace with justice, and provide prosperity shared among us all.
I realize that this might seem like idealistic drivel to some, impractical in the real world. However, I would argue that our role as Christians and citizens is not to govern, but to hold up standards for good government and do our utmost to hold our elected officials accountable.
In spite of Nathanael’s skepticism, he goes with Philip to meet Jesus. Jesus greets him by saying, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” Let us be a people without guile, willing to follow and serve Christ in this world. Let us be advocates of God’s mission and witnesses to the power of God’s love. Maybe then we may indeed live in a time of positive change and renewed hope.
Peace,
Tom
Grace Wardell died on Monday December 1, 2008. We noted her “Thank you” back in November 1997, after All Saints’ had celebrated her 90th birthday at a beautiful party with her – and with bread, Happy Birthday signs, and cards. She signed off “in Christ, Grace Wardell” … and in Christ may she remain! Her funeral was at All Saints’ on December 4th, 2008.
Blanche "Bunny" Weeks died on Wednesday, December 17th at the age of 96. She was a long term member of All Saints and an avid quilter and crafter. In 1958, her work on a church fair led to the formation of the Thrift Shop. She had been living on Cape Cod for the last few years.
Services were at All Saints’ Church on Tuesday, December 23, with calling hours at Blake Funeral Home from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Monday, December 22nd.
May the souls of Grace Wardell and Bunny Weeks, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in Peace.
The Rev. E. Tom Barrington, Jr.
In the week of Christmas, George Martin, a teacher at Peterhouse in Marondera (a town 40 miles east of Harare in Zimbabwe) sent out the following “Idea” in an e-mail. George is an ordained priest in the Diocese of Harare: this was the theme of his sermons at the Peterhouse chapel and at the Borradaile Trust home in Marondera on Thursday December 25, 2008.
CHRISTMAS 2008
On the evening of the Advent carol service at Peterhouse, those who looked up could see, shining in the sky, in the West, a really beautiful sight: the crescent moon and the planets Venus and Jupiter one on the left and the other, as I remember, lower down on the right.
The effect for me was one of great peace and a sort of promise.
It came to me that this lovely picture, this sort of Christmas card in the sky, could be seen from anywhere in the world, and I thought of many people whom I love and close relatives who could be looking at it, in the evening, if their skies were clear and enjoying the beauty.
The moon and planets formed, for me, a link with people living outside Zim. And when I described the sight in my next e-mail to them, one couple responded, saying that they had also seen the moon and the planets, and thought how beautiful they were.
The experience took me right out of Zimbabwe, and the problems we face, and made that MESS really IRRELEVANT, unimportant. It seemed that I was being told, “There are things that unite you with your friends and relatives that are quite unconnected with politics, economics, the collapse of the Zim dollar, or the plight of the economic situation in the rest of the world.”
None of these worries or problems is permanent, but SOME things ARE. The moon and the planets are, within the time-scale of our lives, very permanent.
But also they are PURE. They cannot be spoiled by criminal politicians, (or are they political criminals) satanic religious leaders who call themselves bishops, by crooked investors making billions for themselves.
And I was reminded of the words of Jesus, “Heaven and Earth shall pass away but my words shall never pass away.”
So ... is this thought, this little piece of poetry, relevant to us in Zimbabwe at Christmas?
Is it, perhaps, Christmas, that is a link with others, with dear friends, brothers and sisters, children, even parents, and certainly friends and acquaintances of long standing?
In a way, yes. For we shall all be celebrating the time they call ‘the holiday season’ in USA.
But even with Christmas there is a problem, as I cannot help thinking that in other parts of the world, the social event of Christmas will be celebrated very differently.
Some will be eating much better and drinking drinks that we cannot buy. They will be giving each other expensive gifts and attending big parties. For many, in Zimbabwe, Christmas is ruined by lack of transport, shortages of food and even water. They will still be starving.
Then, too, there will be many, who are celebrating extravagantly, for whom this “season” will, sadly, have NO religious significance at all.
So I come to the crux of the meaning of my ‘vision’.
Although Christmas and the way we celebrate it, does not really UNITE us, (and Christmas is, please, NOT a feeling) the ONE whom we celebrate, does.
It is not a coincidence that the couple who responded to my description of the moon and the planets are committed Christians, active members of their local Church.
For those of us who are born again and part of the world-wide, permanent and on-going Church, we are united, with each other and with the millions of believers of this and past ages, united by (and IN) the purity, the otherness and the permanence of (NO, not OUR FAITH) but of the one in whom we have put our trust, Jesus Christ.
To whom be the glory, might, dominion and majesty, now and for ever. Amen.
Each month, Mission and Outreach would like to honor a different Outreach activity. This month, the Thrift Shop. First of all, thanks to Thrift Shop Chairperson Carol Cannistraro for providing almost all of the information for this article. The idea of the Thrift Shop goes back to a ’50s Church fair, according to Carol's contacts, former ASC parishioners Barbara and Penny Fitts. Two ladies, Bunny Weeks and Shirley George, brought in a rack of clothes to sell at the fair and they sold out. And that led to the founding of the All Saints' Thrift Shop on March 12, 1958. It was established initially to support Christian Education and youth programs in the Parish. Since then, however, the beneficiaries have been expanded to include capital improvements and a number of community outreach programs. Funds are raised by selling “gently used” clothing on consignment, with the Shop receiving 40% of the sale price. Here is the list of recipients for 2008:
1. ASC Sunday School Program
2. ASC Heating Fund
3. ASC Feeding Program
4. Rector’s Discretionary Fund
5. Acolyte Crosses
6. Camp Paul
7. Alternative House, Lowell
8. Chelmsford Community Exchange
9. Salvation Army
10. House of Hope, Lowell
11. Lowell Sun Santa Fund
12. Life Links, Chelmsford
In addition, the Thrift Shop donates clothing directly to Sunny Acres Nursing Home and the Prison Ministry, as well as winter coats which were given to the local school and Anton Cleaners drives.
The Shop is operated by a team of volunteers, currently 46, including 6 non-parishioners, who keep the Shop operating 15 hours per week (10 AM to 3 PM Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday), from September to June. The Shop is always in need of more volunteers. If you are interested, speak to one of the eight Board Members. The Board currently consists of Carol Cannistraro, Cynthia Bennett, Carol Douglas, Vi Flumerfelt, Margie Lane, Laura Marshall, Barbara Willman, and Midge Wilson.
Epiphany Celebration: All are invited to a special, contemplative, candlelight Epiphany communion service on Tuesday, January 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the chapel, followed by dessert in the meeting room. On this 12th day of Christmas, we finish “the story” with the arrival of the three kings.
Maggie Marshall
Minister of Music
Following the Indian Dinner, Rohini Pola sent an e-mail “thank you” to the many people who had helped with the preparations for the event. The Indian Dinner catered (no other word quite fits) to and for a very full church hall, arranged around a stage at which entertainment included traditional Indian dancing.
Rohini wrote:
“Just want to thank all for your help and support for the Indian Dinner evening. We made more than $300 for the church school.
Also, there is some naan (bread) in the fridge in the kitchen - if anyone is interested.
Thank you,
Rohini”
The Annual Meeting is our gathering as a parish to review the past year and to elect vestry members, delegates to the diocesan convention and the deanery, and members of the nominating committee. Even more it is a time for us to recognize and celebrate all the ways All Saints’ Church has been and is a people in mission.
We ask that all reports from the different ministry areas be sent into the office (email is preferred if possible) by Sunday, January 11 so that we can have the annual report completed and available the week before the Annual Meeting.
An evening of good food and entertainment will be held on Saturday, February 7th, at All Saints’ Church starting at 6:00 p.m. The purpose of the dinner is to recount the experiences of those who attended Workcamp this past summer, thank those who supported the mission, and introduce this unique experience to those who may be interested in attending in June 2009.
Dinner will be followed by a slide presentation. Everyone is invited to the dinner. Those who invested in WV Workcamp 2008 shares of $25 (or more) will be our special guests and will not require tickets. Tickets will be available for $6 ($10 maximum per family) during coffee hour and at the door as well. For planning purposes, shareholder guests are asked to RSVP at the ticket sales table. See you there!
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In the Sunday Bulletin under the section on “those in our parish in need of healing,” we list those with more acute needs. Saints Alive carries a list of more “on-going” concerns to bring to God in prayer.
We will keep the description you provide as general or specific as you indicate. Please let us know what you would like included. We also encourage you to clip out these names and keep them in your prayers.
If you would like your name to be added or removed from any of the prayer lists, please contact Darlene in the Church Office.
· Gladys Stephens, Palm Manor Nursing Home
· Eleanor Ferreira at home
· Mary Buote at home, celebrating her 102nd birthday on January 29th
· Bea Iams, in rehab at Sunny Acres
· Dora Smith, Betsy Eisenmann’s mother
· Priscilla Smith at Willow Manor in Lowell
· Doug Grant at home, chronic back pain
· Chaz Freeman, Lois Freeman’s son
· Debbie Anderton, Dora Carr’s daughter
· Bob Moorehouse at Nashoba Parkw2 in Ayer
Ministering at Nyahela Sub-Parish in Kenya:
Rev. Paul Onyoyo, Dorcus Esilaba, Shem Bwonya, Elizabeth Osiolo, and Phanice Otenyi, Chairlady of the orphan feeding program.
Nyahela sub-parish currently receives SaintsAlive. If you would like to write directly to them, please note their address:
ACK: Anglican Church of Kenya
ACK NYAHELA PARISH
P.O. BOX 201
LUANDA - KENYA
CODE : 50307
Upcoming Formation Dates and Events
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Wed Jan 6 |
Epiphany service |
7:30pm |
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Tue Jan 13 |
Prayer as First Resort |
Blue Room |
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Wed Jan 14 |
Book Discussion |
Blue Room |
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Wed Jan 21 |
Book Discussion |
Blue Room |
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Sun Jan 25 |
Annual Meeting |
Parish Hall |
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Wed Jan 28 |
Book Discussion |
Blue Room |
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Jan 30- |
Winter Weekend |
New Hampshire |
From the Associate for Adult Christian Formation:
Winter has made its presence—and its influence—known. As I write, snow is falling and at All Saints’ we have been canceling or rescheduling events in response to the weather. …A good reminder for me as I look at the new year that no matter how busy I am, no matter how well I plan, life does not go as expected.
And yet, the value in our spiritual practices is the foundation they offer when things do not go as planned. That is the basic premise behind the idea of Christian formation. We practice being Christians, we seek to be formed as Christians so that as our lives unfold we already know who we are in Christ and to Whom we belong as children of God.
All Saints’ had an autumn full of successful and rewarding events—the All Saints Feast Day service, the Indian Dinner, and the Gingerbread Village. I look forward to continuing in that sense of energy and community in 2009.
January brings the season of Epiphany. Please join us on Tuesday January 6 at 7:30 for a service celebrating the feast of Epiphany, remembering the story of the Magi visiting the infant Jesus and exploring the coming of the Light of Christ into the world.
January often is a good time for folks to take a class at All Saints’. This winter please join us for study and conversation using Conversations with Scripture and Each Other, written by our bishop Tom Shaw. Bishop Shaw’s book is designed to invite conversations about what we believe and value, conversations that parishioners here have greatly valued over the years. I hope you will come and learn more about your faith and get to know other parishioners better. This course will run for five Wednesday evenings, January 14 - February 11.
Wishing you spiritual nurture, even in the depths of winter!
in peace,
Amy Hunter
Prayer as First Resort January 13
You are invited to join Prayer as First Resort on Tuesday, January 13 and on any second Tuesday of the month, 7:30- 8:45 in the Blue Room. This group offers support, safety and sanity to folks who are seeking to live their Christian faith in their day to day lives—at home, in the community and at work. Each month we explore an aspect of Christian spiritual practice and then discuss how we are doing that practice or might try to do that practice as individuals and as a parish.
In 2009 Prayer as First Resort will look at devotion and holiness and what such terms might have to do with folks like us in our daily lives. On January 13 we will begin our exploration of Holiness as part of God’s invitation to each of us and as a relevant, real part of our daily lives. Our conversations are always rich and rewarding, and the group welcomes newcomers. For more information, please talk with Lynne Grillo or Amy Hunter.
Thanks to all of you who have contributed your bottles and cans, we were able to raise $143.75. I have been doing this for 11 years during which we have raised a total of $2414.15! While $143 doesn't sound like much in this day and age, remember that the cost of the effort is $0. Please keep those bottles and cans coming! It's found money for the Church.
Just drop off any returnable bottles and cans in the closet off the Parish Hall next to the kitchen. I pick them up once a week.
Carol Douglas
We often say to ourselves that it might be a neat thing to do some good work. Or read a good book. Or visit an old and ailing friend.
In the middle of a period of weather-based cancellations of school and civic events, I received an e-mail message with the two-word title “Tomorrow Cancelled”.
Taken out of context, this presents quite a dilemma! Perhaps your favorite teacher at that school has retired; perhaps that bookstore I mean to visit is now closed; perhaps that particular good deed will need to remain forever a notion that couldn’t be acted upon.
In a January of fresh beginnings, it might be worth revisiting the good intentions that might not be too late to turn into good deeds!
Patrick Blumeris
Editor
All Saints’ Episcopal Church hosted a Gingerbread Village event in December, as a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity.
The event, based around food as decoration, even provided food for Tom’s sermon a week later!
There is a long and incomplete list of people to be thanked. You know who you are, and Laura Marshall wrote to SaintsAlive! as long ago as November, to ask for a big “Thank You” to everyone who helped in any way.
Vestry Members
Vestry Members
Carl Clark Diane Coles Deb Dutton
Derick Gates Liz Landers Edith Parekh
Harry Taplin
Lois Freeman, Senior Warden
David Cahill, Junior Warden
Melanie Hickcox, Treasurer
Scott Bempkins, Clerk
Church Office............... 978-256-5673
Senior Warden....... Lois Freeman
Junior Warden........ Dave Cahill
Treasurer............... Melanie Hickcox
Clerk..................... Scott Bempkins
Acolyte Director.... Clem Cole
Adult Education...... Amy Hunter
Altar Guild............. Liz Landers
Buildings and…….. Deb Dutton
Grounds
Christian School..... Laura Marshall
Michelle Thomas
Elizabeth Danieli
Coffee Hour.......... Matt Hickcox
Endowment ........... to be filled
Environmental Stewardship
Committee............. to be filled
Fellowship.............. to be filled
Finance.................. Mike Brodeur
Handbell Choir……Ellen Jewart
Music Minister....... Maggie Marshall
Outreach............... Dave Kuzara
Pastoral Care......... Joy Chadwick
Saints Alive............ Patrick Blumeris
SaintsAlive e-mail:.. ........ saintsalive@yahoo.com
Stewardship........... to be filled
Thrift Shop............. Carol Cannistraro
Youth Group.......... Nancy March
Webmaster............ Richard Coles
Web site................ www.allsaintschelmsford.org
… for the February 2009 Saints Alive! is
January 18th, 2009
Please leave your articles in the Saints Alive! mailbox in the church office, or send them via email to SaintsAlive@yahoo.com. Thanks.
