Lent begins, but don't miss the gallery of pix at the end
from Annual Meeting and Shrove Tuesday Pancakes
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| Ash Wednesday evening: Burning last year's palms for ashes |
Services for this coming Sunday, February 14th and the First Sunday in Lent, will
be at 8 and 10 am followed by coffee hour. We hope you will join us for worship
and fellowship.
Next
Steps on the Master Plan:
First off, thanks go to Sally DeGroot for her clear presentation, to Duane
Dale for the visual images that Sally used, and to the Building Committee for their thoughtful work. The Master Plan and the supporting
materials that were presented last Sunday at Annual Meeting will be available
for your consideration, questions, and comments during coffee hour. Members of the
Building Committee will be available for conversation. As we move forward as a
parish to discern our next steps, we want your input and everyone’s engagement
in the process.
If you missed the Annual Meeting and the materials that were
handed out, you can pick up a packet on Sunday. If you are out of town and
would like the information and to engage in the planning effort, please email Duane (Building Committee co-chair) at duane.dale@gmail.com .
Readings for this Sunday: Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16; Romans 10:8b-13; Luke 4:1-13.
2016 Lenten Meditations booklets, courtesy of Episcopal Relief & Development are available on the table in the Parish Hall. Please help yourself to one.
Growing a Rule of Life: Our Wednesday evening Simple Soup & Salad
Supper Series starts Feb. 24th. Please don’t be
intimidated by the title! Think of it as a time-honored approach to developing
tools for leading a balanced life – customized to your realities. The
materials for this series include both brief daily on-line videos [Click here http://ssje.org/ssje/category/growrule/ ] and a
workbook. It can be done as an individual exercise, but there is wonderful
additional benefit in the group support! PLEASE sign up on the easel board in
the Parish Hall, where you can also take a look at the workbook. The meetings
will take place on February 24 and March 2, 9, and 16. We will gather at 5:30
and be out at 7.
Lent Madness 2016 has begun! Click here and jump
in today! http://www.lentmadness.org/2016/02/helena-vs-monnica/#more-5563
What do you know about St. Monicca and St. Helena?
What might you learn from them? If you’re looking for a Lenten discipline that
is fun, educational, occasionally goofy, and always joyful, join the Lent
Madness journey. Lent needn’t be all doom and gloom. After all, what could be
more joyful than a season specifically set aside to get closer to Jesus Christ?
Poke around the Lent Madness website: http://www.lentmadness.org where you can also print out a bracket to see how
you fare or “compete” against friends and family members. Like that other March
tournament, there will be drama and intrigue, upsets and thrashings,
last-minute victories and Cinderellas!
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| Parish Brunch before the Annual Meeting |
New
Vestry Members: The Parish unanimously endorsed
the slate put forward by the Nominating Committee. We now have three new vestry
members – Pat Adams, Kaitlyn Marshall, and Hettie Buck. Welcome them by
introducing yourself to each of them, so that they can get to know you and you
them. They join wardens Carol Tubman and Sally DeGroot, treasurer Bob Seston, new clerk Jen Huckman, and returning vestry members Peg Cade, David Manley, and Phil Wallick. thanks were extended to departing vestry members Gretchen Behr-Svendsen, Marty Cloran, and clerk Chris Mills.
It’s not too late to
sign up for “Color Me Happy”
This is an Adult
coloring opportunity hosted by Deb Hoyt. Join her in this
opportunity to share in an enjoyed past time around a table of fellow “young at
hearts.” You don’t have to be an artist and you don’t have to have books
and pencils. There will be plenty of pages to choose from and pencils to
use. She will share a few tips and ideas. Anticipate conversation and enjoyable
comradery. Please sign up on the sheet posted on the kitchen door or contact
Debra at the office, on her cell 651-8938, or email dhoyt03814@gmail.com. Wed, Feb 17th:
6-8 pm and/or Sat, Feb 20th: 10-Noon
Get in on the raffle for
a handmade, KatBagDesign, coloring book portfolio. Wonderful way to carry your
book and tools with you.
Food for thought as we begin the season of Lent… From a sermon by
Peter Chrysologus, Bishop of Ravenna (450) and which I used as the starting
point for my Ash Wednesday homily.
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| Ash Wednesday evening altar |
There are three things by which faith stands
firm, devotion remains constant, and virtue endures. They are prayer, fasting,
and mercy. Prayer knocks at the door, fasting obtains, mercy receives. Prayer,
mercy, and fasting: these three are one, and they give life to each other. ... Fasting bears no fruit unless it is watered by
mercy… Mercy is to fasting as rain is to the earth; if you do not release the
springs of mercy, your fasting will bear no fruit. When you fast, if your mercy
is thin your harvest will be thin; when you fast, what you pour out in mercy
overflows into your barn. Therefore, do not lose by saving, but gather in by
scattering. Give to the poor and you give to yourself. You will not be allowed
to keep what you have refused to give to others.
Blessings for a Holy Lent.
See you in church!
Heidi+
See you in church!
Heidi+
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| Brunch serving! |
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| Gretchen receives the 2015 special recognition |
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| Rector, warden, and clerk get to work! Pancake Supper Community Fun: Tattoos & Pancake Toss! |
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| Hard working kitchen clean-up crew! Thanks to George, Bruce, Marty, Connor, Tom, Tim, and Jen! |
