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SAINTS Alive! THE NEWSLETTER OF THE PARISH All Saints’ Church Chelmsford, MA July/August 2009
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SAINTS Alive! THE NEWSLETTER OF THE PARISH All Saints’ Church Chelmsford, MA July/August 2009
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May you have a blessed and refreshing summer. It is the season when things slow down here at All Saints’. I hope you will be able to get some time away to enjoy the summer weather. However, if you are home, we do not close—so I hope that you will join us on Sundays at 8:00 AM in the Chapel or 9:00 AM in the main Church. From July 12 to August 16th the summer Mystery Club will be meeting to solve the mystery of the missing Paschal Candle, hopefully in the process discovering the mystery of the Light of Christ. If you are away, I encourage you to visit other churches. I would love to hear about how other congregations gather to worship. I will be taking some time off in August to go canoeing in the Adirondacks and spend some time with extended family on Cape Cod for our annual reunion clam bake.
May we all experience the comfort and peace of Christ.
Faithfully yours,
Tom
Or: HOW CAN WE KILL FEWER TREES EVERY SUNDAY?
We will be introducing an e-news version of our weekly announcements as a way of reducing the amount of paper we use in the service bulletin. Instead of pages of announcements printed in the bulletin we will send out an e-news email through a company called Constant Contact. There will be some hard copies on Sundays for people who do not have web access.
For this process to work well, we will be updating our e-mail lists. If you do not currently get email notices from All Saints’, we ask that you send us your email address at aschurch@gis.net. (And if you have been reluctant to be on the parish email, we expect Constant Contact to consolidate and reduce the number of email notices we send out.)
This summer we will be having a “soft-opening” of this technology, looking toward a “hard-opening” in September. This is a real change in how we communicate and will require that all change some behaviors. For example, those sponsoring events will have to let the office know early in the week to be included in the e-news. More than that, we will need to get used to reading the e-news as well as using the web site, www.allsaintschelmsford.org, to find out what is going on and when.
We are really excited about making this change. If you have any experience in using e-news or Constant Contact, we would appreciate hearing from you.
Special thanks to Trina Teele for designing our e-news and to Maggie Marshall and Darlene Gossement for providing staff support.
All Saints' bids a sad farewell to Ellen Jewart and her husband Jim. Ellen has done a wonderful job leading the Handbell Choir, sharing both her musical expertise and her faith through her ministry. Her gifts have enriched us all. Ellen and Jim and their family are leaving our parish in order to return to their Lutheran roots. We thank Ellen for her service to us as Handbell Choir director and wish the Jewart family well at their new parish, Trinity Lutheran, Worcester.
Those of you who attended the All Saints' Blessing of the Animals service in October 2007 will remember what a wonderful and joyous celebration we shared. We urge you to help us organize this year's Blessing on October 4. You are invited to help the parish gather in worship to acknowledge our gratitude for God's gift of creation, our responsibility to care for the creatures around us, and our acknowledgement of our interdependence with all creation and our mutual dependence upon God.
A big thank you to Melissa Flewelling who has agreed to head up this project. Melissa will oversee the preparations, but this is an event which requires many hands.
For those of you who weren't at our last very successful service, this is an “all creatures great and small” happening at our 10 a.m. service, and coincides with the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals. Pets remain in the sanctuary with owners, receive a blessing, and are then feted at a special coffee hour afterwards.
Help is needed with logistics, liturgy, publicity, and refreshments. Please speak to Melissa, Maggie Marshall, or Tom Barrington if you would like to join in the fun!
During the second week in August, Paige Dussault, Frank Thompson, and Christy Brodeur are joining with some of the youth at Central Congregational and heading to Maine to be a part of the Maine Mission trip. As part of this mission, they are collecting adult sized shirts and socks to give to the migrant workers who spend all day picking blueberries. The migrant workers spend all day standing in pesticides trying to pick as many blueberries as possible. At night when they return to the camps, the migrant workers do not have sufficient supplies of clean shirts and socks, so the clothing they wear is always contaminated with pesticides and other harmful chemicals. The reason we are collecting the clothing to give to the migrant workers, is to give them a clean pair of socks and a shirt, so that there are times when the workers do not have to be covered in poisons. This donation drive has been going on since the 1st week in May to great success. As of printing, more than 100 shirts have been collected and over 125 pairs of socks have also been donated. We will be continuing our donation collection in the blue boxes until the end of July. As an added bonus to donating, if you include your name with your donation, we will be sure to give you a thank you gift upon our return from Maine. Thank you to everyone who has donated so far.
Thank you,
Paige Dussault, Frank Thompson, & Christy Brodeur
On Sunday, July 26 at 7p.m., we hope that many of you will join us for Anna Dagmar’s CD release concert in the chapel! Anna, daughter of former parishioners Sidney and Dale Johnson, graduated from CHS in 1996 and is a talented songwriter/ folksinger who has just released “Let the waves come in threes.” Anna is a wonderful pianist, and will be singing and playing songs from her new CD. She was a member of the Junior Choir while she was at All Saints’, and I am proud to say that “I knew her when…” Tickets are $10 at the door.
The musical pace at All Saints’ slows down for the summer, with all choirs on break until after Labor Day. I will be in Los Angeles from 6/28-7/3 at the annual AAM (Association of Anglican Musicians) conference. In addition to staying in the heart of Hollywood, I will be attending events at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and many of the Episcopal churches in the area. I will be at choir camp in early August, and look forward to the company of our own Emma Seyffert, Abby Warren, and Emily Warren.
My UU colleague Cyndi Bliss will be playing at All Saints’ for three of my weeks off, but we will have several Sundays with no music, since our budget doesn’t provide for coverage for all Sundays. Several summer Sundays will include music sung by Katie LaRochelle, Lynne McSheehy, and Susan Gates.
In addition to enjoying the more relaxed pace of summer, I will also be doing a lot of planning for the fall. All choirs would love to have new members, with the biggest need being more men for the Senior Choir.
Maggie Marshall
Minister of Music
Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens, that neither sow nor reap, and have neither storehouse nor barn, and God feeds them. Aren't you so much more precious than the birds?
And which of you, by worrying, can add one cubit to his height?
If you can't do these little things, why worry about the rest?
Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith?
And don't seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind.
For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things.
But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.
Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Sell what you have and give alms; save up for yourselves treasure where moth and rust do not corrupt, and thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Luke 12 22-34
This summer we’re highlighting some mission opportunities for youth and adults that will be offered this summer and fall. If you’re looking for a way to help others, take a look at the following opportunities being offered at All Saints’.
Downeast Maine Mission Trip – August 9th to 15th – for junior high kids
Central Congregational Church has invited All Saints’ to participate in their summer mission trip to Maine. Last year, they built a handicap ramp for a family and helped renovate a garage into a home for a single mom.
Deanery Mission Trip to New York City - August 9th to 14th – for high schoolers
The Merrimack Valley Deanery is sponsoring a mission trip for youth to NY City. They will take part in the Youth Services Opportunities Project (YSOP) doing activities such as: prepare and serve meals at soup kitchens; help at clothing and furniture banks; provide recreational activities and companionship to young children; distribute food and supplies at food pantries; socialize and bring snacks to people in drop-in centers.
If you want to support these efforts but cannot go yourself, there will be many opportunities in the near future to support those who are going with money, effort and prayer. Some upcoming fundraisers for the West Virginia workcamp are:
Fundraisers for other mission trips will be announced as they are planned. Please contact the church office or Dave Kuzara at 978-256-5484 if you want to participate in any of these mission trips or want more information
Dave Kuzara
for the Mission/Outreach Team
HELP! The Paschal Candle is missing! We need detectives to help us solve the MYSTERY OF THE MISSING PASCHAL CANDLE- join us for the All Saints’ Mystery Club 2009 at the 9am service this summer. We will start meeting on Sunday, July 12th and hopefully find the candle and solve the mystery by August 12th. Come a little early to the 9am service and meet in the Cranberry Room- all ages welcome!
Questions about the Mystery Club? Ask Laura at laura.marshall@comcast.net or Brian- at bams4@juno.com
There is nothing like a mystery to make the summer fun!
Mark your calendars on September 26, 2009, to attend our ceilidh (say "kay-lee") in the Parish Hall. For those who know what a ceilidh is, and for those who want to learn, we will be having Irish/Scottish fiddling music mixed in with Cape Breton traditional family dance. There will be mostly participation (Mabou squares) dancing with some performance dancing mixed in.
It should be an evening of fun and fellowship in late September!
Any questions or suggestions, call Bob Andrews at 978-244-0163 or bnlandrews@comcast.net.
Thanks!
Bob
People walking to work at Sibley and 4th Streets in St Paul Minnesota suffered the inconvenience of having their routes blocked by barriers and yellow caution tape on Friday, June 26, 2009. As one who was joining these commuters, just for that week, I remembered the Big Dig in Boston, with the huge inconvenience of trenches that were opened up in the evenings and closed over every morning, always with annoyance to traffic on the small streets of Boston, and I said some heartless things about yet another inconvenience visited upon us by utility workers.
These yellow tape boundaries, however, were well-guarded by police, and there were several camera crews who were documenting the site of an accident that had happened earlier that morning.
In the middle of the intersection was a white sheet that was soon moved away, along with the body it covered, the body of a pedestrian who, the swirling rumors had it, had been hit by a garbage truck while she was walking her dog: and all this just a mile from a regal state capitol building.
There was no mention of the incident on the evening news, however: Michael Jackson’s death, coming on the heels of news of Farrah Fawcett’s death, coming on the heels of (the almost-local-for-Chelmsford) Ed McMahon’s death pre-empted news of this tragedy.
As it happened, well before lunch time the “normal” flow of traffic had been restored, and many of the people passing by were unaware of the ultimate tragedy that had taken place there.
So we need to remember to check both ways before we step out into a street; pay attention when we’re driving, or riding. We need to do what we can to protect our lives and those of people around us.
I need to be more tolerant of annoying caution tape!
Life goes on: it is fragile. It is God’s to give, and God’s to take away. Stay safe this summer!
Patrick Blumeris
Editor
The items listed below are from the June 2009 Episcopal News, a journal of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts:
Jul 3: Lobster Roll Lunch, Christ Church, Harwich Port, 11:30 a.m., Fridays in July and August
Jul 3: Friday Night Grill, St. Christopher's Church, Chatham, 5 p.m., Fridays in July and August
Jul 5: Lobster on the Lawn, St. Barnabas's Church, Falmouth, 5 p.m., Sundays in July and August
Jul 8-17: 76th General Convention of the Episcopal Church, Anaheim, Calif.
Jul 11: Summer Fair, St. David's Church, South Yarmouth, 9 a.m.
Jul 11: St. Christopher's Church Summer Auction, VFW Post on George Ryder Road, Chatham, 5 p.m.
Jul 12: Middle East Peace discussion series begins, Church of the Messiah, Woods Hole, 5 p.m.
Jul 18 & 25, Aug 1 & 8: Micah Project and Relational Evangelism Project volunteer work days to prepare intern residences, Brookline and Allston, 9 a.m.
Aug 2-8: Choir Camp, Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center, Greenfield, NH
Ruth Canonico would like a lift to the 10 am Eucharist on Sundays. She is without a car, and lives in at Delany Terrace, Senior Housing, 8 Sheila Avenue, Apt. 217, North Chelmsford, behind the Senior Center. If you can offer a lift to and from the 10 am service, even on a once or twice a month basis, please phone and leave her a message on 978-319-9517. Thank you.
Most of us are familiar with the Mustard Seed ministry through the work of All Saints' Edith Parekh who has been actively involved in the ministry since first hearing about it in 1984. Mustard Seed is a ministry that supports some of the world's most disadvantaged children. There are Mustard Seed missions in Haiti, Nicaragua, Jamaica, and Zimbabwe. The theme of the mission is a Celebration of Life.
Edith first became aware of Mustard Seed in 1984 when former Senator Dan Leahy returned from a vacation trip to Jamaica. While touring, Senator Leahy asked his cab driver to show him where the real people lived and not just the areas developed for tourists. He was taken to a location called Riverton City. There he saw homeless children and families living on dumps and eating the garbage brought to the dump site from the cities. Many were physically challenged and desperately ill. During this trip, Senator Leahy met a priest know as Father Greg who was working to minister and provide for the people of Riverton City.
Upon his return to Lowell the Senator began to organize events to aid these desperate people. One such event was a concert by Harry Belafonte. Since Edith has family ties to Jamaica she went to the concert. Learning of the tremendous need for help with this mission, Edith and her whole family went into action. For 22 years they have been running a booth at the Lowell Folk Festival to raise funds for Mustard Seed. They have managed to raise $100,000 for the program. Also, Edith's youngest daughter spent a year in Jamaica working with HIV/AIDS orphans. Edith has made several trips there to bring supplies and support to the orphanage.
Again the year, the Parekhs will be at their booth at the Lowell Folk Festival the weekend of July 24, 25, and 26. (Please note that the Festival is earlier than usual this year.) Please consider volunteering to help at the event or stopping by and making a donation to help some of our brothers and sisters in Christ who are in such desperate need.
Carl Clark
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
· Bea Iams, 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
· Bob Moorehouse at Nashoba Park#2 in Ayer
· Al Gorham, at home
· Lillian Doris Johnson, Loisann Grant’s mother, at D’Youville Manor
Ministering at Nyahela Sub-Parish in Kenya:
Rural Dean Rev. Jacob Mbunjiro, 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
My practice when writing my SaintsAlive articles is to start by putting together a calendar of events. But as I look ahead to summer at All Saints’, there is little to put on the calendar. The Sunday Adult class is on hiatus until September. Rain or shine, Prayer as 1st Resort meets on second Tuesday evenings of each month. My personal calendar reflects plans to relax and to spend time with family and friends.
This past program year has felt very energized and fruitful to me. All Saints’ has experienced some glorious worship experiences, such as the All Saints’ Festival Eucharist and the Pentecost service. There have been opportunities for learning and growing in our faith and practice, like Tom’s book discussion of Transforming Congregations in the fall and the Lenten study of the theology of St. Paul. The Gingerbread Village stands out as an astonishing model of ministry, drawing together parishioners and community folks for building and gathering. Many people have worked faithfully and creatively with our children and youth, on Sunday mornings and beyond. And there have been numerous fellowship events, dinners and music and more, that invite us to be community for and with one another. I am savoring that richness!
As I look forward both to summer rest and to the next program year (which will be here before I know it!), I want to share a thought from an e-course I am taking about “Practicing Spirituality with Quakers.”
The standard operating procedure for a spiritual person is to carefully listen to God who speaks to us through our bodies, our stories, imagination, inclinations, opportunities, dreams, authenticity, seasons, hearts, voices, and days. These leadings are in sync with a prayer by St. Patrick:
God be in my head, and
in my understanding;
God be in my eyes, and in my looking;
God be in my mouth, and in my speaking;
God be in my heart, and in my thinking;
God be at my end, and at my departing.
J. Brent Bill calls those on this path pilgrims, not tourists.
There is a serious intention here to discern the plan that God has for our lives. Like the pilgrim we must constantly watch for signs and guideposts. And at times we will lose our way. To a tourist that spells catastrophe, whereas to a pilgrim it is seen as another opportunity to ask the right questions and to grow in grace. from a review of J Brent Bill’s Sacred Compass: The Way of Spiritual Discernment
The invitation of an intentional religious life is to be a pilgrim rather than a tourist. I pray that we will all constantly watch for signs and guideposts, and that we will see the times when we are lost as divine opportunities rather than catastrophes.
May you have a restful summer!
in the peace of Christ,
Amy Hunter
Associate for Adult Christian Formation
Prayer as 1st Resort
There are many people in our time who simply have no conception of what adoration is or what part it must take in the practice of prayer. If they conceive of it at all, they associate it with elaborate ceremonial worship, with candles burning before an altar. With a repugnance almost worthy of the Old Testament prophets' denouncing burnt offerings in favor of sound ethical action, they will have none of this ceremonial nonsense. What then is adoration, and what is its role in the practice of prayer? from the e-course “Practicing Spirituality with Quakers”
Prayer as 1st Resort will meet on July 14 and August 11, both Tuesday evenings, 7:30 - 8:45 in the Blue Room. Our conversation those evenings will center around what it means to adore God and to be in a relationship with God. Our conversations in any season seek to be gentle and encouraging… and summer is no exception. Please join us, whether a regular attendee or someone who is wondering about being part of a group that offers a place and time to talk in safety about one’s yearnings and hopes for meaning. If you would like to know more about this group, please speak with Lynne Grillo or Amy Hunter.
in peace,
Amy Hunter
Memorial Urn
The Urn in the lower garden has been placed in loving memory of Richard Shaffer, father of Amy Hunter. Since he was an avid gardener it seems a very appropriate memorial to him. Please take note when you pass through the area outside the Atrium or the lower garden.
Memorial Garden
Our parish has continued to be blessed with generous donations to the Memorial Garden.
The flowers in the containers are in loving memory of David Willman, son of Barbara Willman.
The flowers in the upper garden come from Paul Twelves in loving memory of his daughter Sarah and Ben Gaieski in loving memory of his wife Connie.
Please feel free to take a walk through the gardens and enjoy the beauty and tranquility.
Memorial Tree
A beautiful Kwanzan Cherry Tree has been planted in loving memory of Brenda Belanger, wife of Paul and mother of Katy Belanger. The tree sits along the driveway just before the back parking lot on the right side of the church.
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As you pass by, please enjoy this lovely tree. While it has finished blooming this year, it will be a nice addition to our facility for years to come.
The Garden Committee
I am happy to announce that for the fourth time, we will have the pleasure of hosting the St. Peter’s Collegiate School band from Wolverhampton, England! They will be with us, roughly, the week of February vacation 2010.
This wonderful group of high school musicians and their chaperones have been here three previous times over the past 14 years, and many lasting friendships have resulted from these visits. The Cole/Marshalls, Ricard/Duttons, Shochats, Al and Judy Thomas, and Barbara Lindbergh have all travelled to Wolverhampton to visit people whom they have hosted, and many of the former students have returned here to visit host families.
We will be looking for All Saints’ host families, and you definitely do not have to have children of the same age, or any children at all. While they are here, they will be performing at All Saints’ as well as at other venues, and will also be travelling by the mythical “big yellow school bus” to Boston for a day of sightseeing, as well as other probable group activities.
Host families will be responsible for bed and some meals, as well as incorporating the kids into some of your activities. The norm for this group is to never have seen much snow, so if we have a winter like we’ve just had, that will provide a lot of amazement and pleasure.
In general, American homes are physically larger than British homes, so you do not have to have a lot of “extra” space in which to house these kids. They are here for the experience rather than for a luxury stay! In general, it is easier for these kids if they are paired in groups of two, so if you were interested in hosting, we would ask that you take two or more.
Please let me know if you have questions or if you are able to host. It will be a whirlwind week, but a rewarding one for all.
Maggie Marshall, Minister of Music
maggie@ccc.com, 978-251-1296
The Episcopal Church gathers for its 76th General Convention July 8-17 in Anaheim, California. The Diocese of Massachusetts reminded its members of the size of this convention: 2.1 million members, in 110 dioceses, in 16 countries.
O Almighty and everlasting God, who hast given the Holy Ghost the Comforter to thy Church that he should abide with it forever: Bless, we beseech thee, with his grace and presence, our Bishops and Pastors and our Brethren about to meet for solemn counsel in thy name. Defend their hearts from all hindrances of this world, that being steadfast in faith and love unfeigned, and filled with all knowledge and wisdom and boldness, they may advance thy glory and the peace and unity of thy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God, you have given the Holy Spirit, your Comforter to us, your Church, so that He can be forever in our midst: we ask you to bless, with the grace and abiding presence of your Comforter, our chosen Bishops, Pastors, Brothers and Sisters, whose preparations for Convention are now underway. Save them from worldly conflicts and distractions; keep them firm in faith and heavenly love; fill them with your knowledge, wisdom, and moral courage, so they can with your help raise up the glory, and peace, and unity that come from you, for us all as your Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Debbie Anderton, daughter of Dora and Norm Carr, died on June 13, 2009. There was a service at her home parish of All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Littleton, New Hampshire on June 18. Please keep Debbie, her family, and especially Dora and Norm in your thoughts and prayers.
This summer, carnivals and breezy Independence celebrations will be everywhere. While we reacquaint ourselves with long sunny days, let’s remember the welcome we need to have on display, every day, for our parish. “The Newsletter Newsletter” offers the following tips:
1. Speak to the other person first. Don’t wait for him or her to take the initiative.
2. If there is someone you don’t know, introduce yourself to him or her.
3. Be pleasant in your words and expressions. A great church cannot be built with frowns.
4. Invite newcomers to a worship service or to a church event and introduce them to other members.
5. Encourage people to participate in those church activities that interest them.
As our parish Greeters might remind us: try to put yourself in the other person’s shoes: it isn’t easy being new.
Patrick Blumeris, editor
Vestry Members
Vestry Members
Bob Bishop Andrea Bray
Carl Clark Liz Landers Edith Parekh
Sean Seyffert Harry Taplin Mike Thompson
Lois Freeman, Senior Warden
Scott Bempkins, Junior Warden
Cynthia Bennett, Treasurer
Derick Gates, Clerk
Church Office........ 978-256-5673
Senior Warden....... Lois Freeman
Junior Warden........ Scott Bempkins
Treasurer............... Cynthia Bennett
Clerk..................... Derick Gates
Acolyte Director.... Clem Cole
Adult Education...... Amy Hunter
Altar Guild............. Liz Landers
Buildings and…….. Deb Dutton
Grounds Dave Cahill
Christian School..... Laura Marshall
Elizabeth Danieli
Coffee Hour.......... Matt Hickcox
Endowment ........... Derick Gates
Environmental Stewardship
Committee............. to be filled
Fellowship.............. to be filled
Finance Interim...... Derick Gates
Handbell Choir
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 September 2009 Saints Alive! is
August 16th, 2009
Please leave your articles in the Saints Alive! mailbox in the church office, or send them via email to SaintsAlive@yahoo.com. Thanks.
