…ST

Dear Friends,

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that many have entertained angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2).

Jesus said, “I was a stranger, and you welcomed me.” (Matthew 25: 35)

These words of Scripture remind us that for Christians, offering hospitality is not simply a matter of being polite to other human beings. Offering hospitality to strangers is an opportunity to encounter the divine: to entertain angels, to welcome our Lord Jesus Christ into our midst.

It sounds wonderful and easy. Who wouldn’t want to meet an angel or welcome Jesus by offering hospitality to strangers? Yet often, we don’t offer the rich hospitality God desires and that we are capable of. On Sunday mornings, it is easy for all of us to get caught up in our usual routines; to catch up with our friends; or to arrange some necessary piece of parish business at Coffee Hour. But when we do so, we are likely to neglect to offer hospitality to strangers, and that means we will miss out on the gifts that God wants to give us through them.

When angels in the guise of strangers walk into the church we call home, they are often are wondering whether it might become their home, too. They will make that choice in large part on the basis of how they were welcomed: whether someone said “hello” to them as they came in the door; or showed a parent and child where the Sunday School and rest rooms are; or sat next to them in church and showed them the right page in the Hymnal; or invited them to coffee hour; and then sat with them, listened to them, talked to them, and introduced them to others. If we do this work of hospitality well, the chances are good that many of these angels will stay among us and become part of the parish family.

We might think that is a good thing because we like to see a full church on Sunday morning, or are pleased to see a lot of kids come into Church at the Peace, or are hopeful that more people means more money in the collection plate. None of these are in themselves bad reasons for offering hospitality and inviting newcomers to stay at St. Francis -- but none of them gets to the real heart of the matter, either.

The heart of the matter is that as we offer hospitality, there is an opportunity for the exchange of the gifts of God’s love. God willing, we welcome newcomers as an expression of the love with which God has welcomed us. We share with them the gift of God that is at the heart of the Church’s life.

But we also welcome strangers because in them God comes to us with new gifts of divine love that we cannot receive in any other way. Angelos in Greek means messenger. Angels are God’s messengers. People who come to St. Francis initially as angel-strangers can reveal God’s love in ways we may not have known before; they bring gifts for ministry that will which enrich our lives and our service to God. A church which welcomes angel-strangers and the gifts they bring is usually changed – and for the better!

In welcoming strangers, we welcome angels, the messengers of God. We even welcome the one who came to earth as a stranger with the greatest gift of love -- our Lord Jesus. Let us make every effort to welcome the strangers who come among us. We have so much to gain by their gifts to us.

Peace,

Jack+

Anniversary of Baptism

Sarah Schmidt – 4/1

Andrew Boucek – 4/1

Danielle D’Alessandro – 4/1

Jonathan Zamboni – 4/2

Samantha Meyer – 4/3

Timothy Tereman – 4/7

Ryan Manganaro – 4/7

Norma Trimmer – 4/8

Daryl DeRogatis – 4/12

Tony DeRogatis – 4/12

Emma Heiney – 4/13

Nicole King – 4/17

Liana Boucek – 4/17

Doris McElvery – 4/17

Ashley Thomas – 4/18

Princess Thomas – 4/24

Catherine Pfeiffer – 4/29

Wedding Anniversaries

Waring & Lisa Webb – 4/10

Steve & Dawn DeCandia – 4/21

Happy Birthday to:

Avery Dunham – 4/2

Ena Nunes – 4/4

Taryn O’Sullivan – 4/4

Everette Pfeiffer – 4/4

Jonathan Myzie – 4/9

Vin Maiolo – 4/12

Lisa Webb – 4/12

Vito A. Pelliccia – 4/14

Princess Thomas – 4/14

Gary Burns – 4/16

Audrey McConney – 4/17

Norma O’Sullivan – 4/22

Alex Meyer – 4/25

Anniversary of Confirmation

Peter Hausman – 4/1

Norma Trimmer – 4/5

Cordell Trotman – 4/9

Melinda Hammond – 4/21

Sarah Crowther – 4/29

Sunday, April 4^th – Easter Day

8 AM Lector - A/S Benjamin

Chalice - Norma Tucker

Usher - Carroll Wilson

10 AM Acolytes - Amanda Telesco, Vito Pelliccia, Nancy Crowther, Kelsey Pelliccia

Lectors - Princess Thomas, Nancy Dunham

Chalice - Lisa Webb, Elaine Patania

Ushers - Norma Tucker, Pam Maiolo

Greeter - All Greeters

Counters - Tiffany O’Sullivan, Mary Pfeiffer

Altar Guild - Barbara O’Neill, Norma Trimmer, Muriel Wilson

Sunday, April 11^th

8 AM Lector - Carroll Wilson

Chalice - Paul Sinckler

Usher - Carroll Wilson

10 AM Acolytes - Cecil Baker, Ashley Beam, Nancy Crowther

Lectors - Leslie Oliver, Sandy McNeilis

Chalice - Norma Tucker, Tom Jackson

Ushers - Leslie Oliver, Cordel Trotman

Greeter - Audrey Johansen

Counters - Audrey McConney, Nancy Dunham

Altar Guild - Leslie Oliver, Pam Maiolo, Cordell Trotman

Sunday, April 18^th

8 AM Lector - Amy Myzie

Chalice - Norma Tucker

Usher - Ed Myzie

10 AM Acolytes - Kelsey Pelliccia, Evelyn McNelis, Arielle Baker

Lectors - Tom Jackson, Princess Thomas

Chalice - Tiffany O’Sullivan, Princess Thomas

Ushers - Waring Webb, Arthur McConney

Greeter - Norma Trimmer

Counters - Elaine Patania, Pam Maiolo

Altar Guild - Geri Peters, Karen Williams, Barbara Dalto

Sunday, April 25^th

8 AM Lector - Amy Myzie

Chalice - Paul Sinckler

Usher - Ed Myzie

10 AM Acolytes - Vito Pelliccia, Amanda Telesco, Jonathan Parmelee

Lectors - Norma Tucker

Chalice - Elaine Patania, Tiffany O’Sullivan

Ushers - Karen Williams, Geri Peters

Greeter - Barbara O’Neill

Counters - Waring Webb, Amy Myzie

Altar Guild - Audrey Johansen, Norma O’Sullivan, Sharon Benjamin, N. Edwards

The Episcopal Church is growing — in a few places. In the last year, four United States dioceses grew both in average worship attendance and baptized membership: Navajoland, North Dakota, Wyoming, and Alabama. Most of our overseas dioceses are growing numerically. The rest are shrinking, either slightly or precipitously.

There are lots of reasons why this is happening. It’s not primarily about theological differences, for we grew slightly in the late 1990s. The decline began about the year 2000, well before the election in New Hampshire. Conflict in the church doesn’t help, but that’s only a small part of the story. There are cultural components — even in the Bible Belt, there is no longer the assumption and expectation that everyone is in church on Sunday morning. Soccer games, Starbucks, and lots of other things happen then. The fastest growing religious affiliation in the United States is "none of the above." That includes 16% of all adults but one-quarter of 18-29 year olds. One-quarter have no religious affiliation.

For a long time, this Church depended on evangelism by reproduction. We brought new Episcopalians with us when we came to Church — they were our children. With the average Episcopalian now 57 years old, we’re not bringing so many little ones any more. The average American is 37, which may begin to give you an idea of how skewed our population is.

Episcopalians have long expected others to come and join us, either because of our reputation, our "class act" if you will, or by birth into the family. We have never learned to do active evangelism very well, because we didn’t see the need. Most of us, that is, who are not represented in the evangelical wing of this church, who have always understood the urgency. That’s the part of this Church that has always found it hardest to stay in the diverse Anglican fold — maybe because the rest don’t always understand the urgency.

This Church can grow — and the statistics back that up. We did grow in the late 1990s, when other mainline denominations were declining. We’re growing in immigrant communities and overseas dioceses. The reality is that the church of this century is likely to look quite different than the church of 50 years ago or even 15 years ago. For one thing, if it’s going to grow, it’s going to be far less white – the fields are ripe for harvest, but not necessarily white for harvest. This church is 87% white; 6 % African-American, 3% Latino, 1% Asian, 1% Native American. The United States part of the church, that is. The U.S. population is significantly more diverse [two-thirds non-Latino white, 13% African-American, 15% Latino, 4% Asian, and 1% Native American], and New Jersey even more so. Native Americans are the only group represented at the same rate in The Episcopal Church as in the larger population. All other non-white populations are significantly under-represented.

The theme of this convention is "go forth for God." It’s not "sit here and wait for people to turn up for God." God tells Abram to "go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land I will show you" — God says, "Leave home!" We have to be willing to leave our lovely churches, and walk out our beautiful red doors and discover God already at work in the larger community. The work that you’re doing here in campus ministry is a great example. Younger generations are an invaluable part of this Church and are assets to it.

A dozen young adults, both women and men, are part of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women – the youth delegation - meeting in New York this week and next. They are asking wonderful questions about how to improve the lives of women, how to ensure women’s reproductive rights. They are talking about the effects on women during wars, they are talking about war in general, they are talking about what to focus on here in the U.S., how the church can be a support for GLBTQ people, and they are talking about a whole raft of other things.

When I asked what they would want the larger Church to know about them and their peers, they said things like, "we’re passionate; we value and want to be in relationship with our elders; we are not just interested in technical communication like Facebook and texting – we want face-to-face relationships; we are Episcopalians because we find Episcopal spirituality fits us best, and we need more flexibility in worship." Many of them have become Episcopalians very recently, either by baptism or conversion from another tradition. They are idealistic and urgently interested in changing the world. Yet almost no one in this room is going to meet them by staying home.

If we really want to follow Jesus, we are going to have to leave home. That’s a good part of what he means by saying, pick up your cross and follow me. It doesn’t just mean you’re going to have to suffer. It means get on the road, see new territory, and experience God in new situations. Leave your comfortably padded pew. Pick up your cross and see the world — from a new perspective. Have you ever thought about Jesus as a travel agent or tour guide? He is interested in leading us into new places.

One of the more effective evangelical tools right now does just that — it goes into the places where people spend time, at work and at leisure, and it gathers people who want to ask significant spiritual questions. Asking questions is actually something that sets Episcopalians apart from a lot of other traditions, particularly the ones who say there’s only one right answer and doubt is a sin. Remember that bumper sticker, "Question Authority"? I’ve never been sure whether it’s a description of somebody who’s good at asking questions or a challenge to keep asking difficult questions of the powers that be. But asking questions is a central part of our tradition. We don’t insist that doubt is a sin; we see doubt as necessary to growth.

Young people are hard-wired to ask questions — why? is the most characteristic word out of the mouth of a healthy developing child. ‘Why should I do that, why is the stove hot, why aren’t girls and boys always treated the same, why are some people poor, why has your generation left the world in such a mess, how can we bring peace to the world?’ When we stop asking questions like that we begin to die — spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, and probably physically.

Building communities where young people can ask the really big questions is one of the most important kinds of evangelism we can do — and the other important kinds of evangelism are about building communities where others can do the same thing. Theology on tap is a prime example — it offers welcome and hospitality, including a brew (caffeinated or spirited), conversation, and community. It is happening in bars. It is happening in coffeehouses. It is happening where people gather. There are ways to gather questioners, a number of them focused on faith in the workplace. We have always gathered to ask questions. The women’s guilds and men’s guilds in the church did similar work, but they expected people to show up in the church building to gather. We need to leave home and go out there to provide hospitable places for questioners!

One of the most powerful witnesses to going forth is what’s happening right now in Haiti. Almost all of the church buildings in the Diocese of Haiti have been destroyed in Port-au-Prince. The people of the Diocese are ministering to their members and their neighbors in the open air, offering hospitality to all comers. They haven’t just been sent forth, they’ve been propelled, shaken out of their homes and churches, and Bishop Zache tells us so. He said in a letter that he sent out today: "Despite the difficulties we face, many of our parishes have grown larger since the earthquake, because more and more people trust our Church and are turning to us for help spiritually, socially, and morally."

Since 1785, the Diocese of New Jersey has provided transformative leadership and helped countless Episcopalians to live faithful lives. If you’re going to be here 225 years from now, it means taking up your cross and following Jesus down the road. There are an awful lot of people out there who need an opportunity to ask important questions — young people, Spanish speakers, Chinese and Russian immigrants, and many people who need to know they are loved whether they ask questions or not. We have something very important to offer all of them. Even an esteemed elder of 225 years isn’t too old to go out there and offer that kind of love and hospitality.

Are you ready?

Will you go?

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From the Deacon’s Desk

Yesterday, as I went out my front door (I generally use the garage door), I noticed that my crocus are in bloom, and the hyacinths aren’t far behind! After this snowy winter, when the garden was covered in white, I could only rejoice. I was reminded of a passage from Isaiah that was studied at the recent vestry meeting: “I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” (Is. 43:19) As far as my garden is concerned, the earth is responding with colorful enthusiasm.

The Lord is definitely “about to do a new thing” at St. Francis. “Do you not perceive it?”

At the St. Patrick’s Day Supper, I was trying to meet those whose faces I did not recognize – only to gladly discover that they were all non-members of St. Francis. Some were guests, but about half of them were not. Great news!

In the early church Deacons were to “guard the doors and keep order among the people at the Eucharist” (c. 235 C.E. Didascalia). They were the ones who allowed Christians into the church, allowed non-catechumens into what would now be the Narthex until the sermon concluded, then dismissed them. They made sure that only the baptized were allowed to say the Creed or have communion. Fortunately, today, all are welcome — for the whole time! But the role of dismissing is still the Deacon’s responsibility. After being fed and nourished, we are all to go, get out and be Christ in the world.

However, the role of welcoming is thankfully the role for all. I am in the process of working with Fr. Jack to organize a group who would be willing to help with that. Not to necessarily BE the welcomers, but to encourage everyone to be welcoming, to look at what not only brings people TO St. Francis, but to encourage them to STAY.

An Addendum:

In doing some research on the diaconate recently I came across the following appropriate tidbit, written by Thomas of Celano, a contemporary of Francis of Assisi, who joined the Franciscan friars c. 1214 and wrote one of the earliest biographies of St. Francis. In describing the Christmas Eve Eucharist at Greccio about 1223, he said “Francis had a crèche prepared and thus inaugurated the custom of putting nativity scenes in the churches at Christmas.” He continues, “The saint of God was clothed with the vestments of a deacon, for he was a deacon, and he sang the holy Gospel in a sonorous voice…”

Sonorous I definitely am not, but I pray that I may do St. Francis proud as I work among you as Deacon.

The Lord is about to do a new thing; …do you not perceive it?

May you have a glorious Easter!

Dcn. Marge

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If you cannot get to the Church…

The Episcopal Church Office of Communication will air
two seasonal liturgical programs:

The penitential Stations of the Cross on Good Friday and
a live festive Easter morning service.

Stations of the Cross will be available online at
www.episcopalchurch.org/stations beginning Good Friday, April 2.
Originating from St. Mary The Virgin Episcopal Church in New York City,
Stations of the Cross is the penitential reenacting with prayers and
reflections of Jesus Christ's way to the cross on Calvary.

At 11 am on Easter Morning, Sunday, April 4, the Office of Communication
will present a live webcast of the Festive Choral Easter Eucharist from
Grace Episcopal Church, New York City. The service will feature the
highly-respected combined Grace Choirs. Celebrant and preacher will be the
Rev. J. Donald Waring, rector of Grace. The service will be available at
www.episcopalchurch.org/live/easter

The Festive Easter Service can be followed in the Book of Common Prayer.

The Stations of the Cross are contained in the Book of Occasional Services.

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Discovering Your God-Given Gifts for Service

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Leaders: Constance L. White, Co-Director, Ministry Institute, Diocese of New Jersey, Katherine Young, experienced leader of seminars on gifts discernment

Have you ever wondered:"What are my talents for ministry? How I can put my God-given gifts to good use in my parish and in the world?" Then this workshop is for you!

First discover what the Bible has to say about spiritual gifts and then, through a series of questions, gauge your innate talents and proclivities. Afterwards you'll use tools to reveal your strengths and interests. Finally, you'll see how to apply those strengths and interests to action in your parish and in the world. You may find some surprising results!

If you've done such an analysis in the past, don't be hesitant to try this again. Our talents and interests change with time and with our situation in life.

When and Where: Saturday, April 24, 9 am to 3:30 pm; lunch provided.

St. Matthew's Church

300 South Main Street

Pennington, New Jersey 08534

609 737-0985

http://www.abcsignup.com/reg/event_page.aspx?ek=0015-0007-B7A1D04CE54345AA8C490EFE68C87BCF

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Revive!

On June 11-13, 2010, Trinity Cathedral in Trenton, NJ, will host "Revive!" - a gathering of the ecumenical Body of Christ for three days of inspiring worship and engaging teaching around Christian faith and discipleship and the Christian imperative of justice.

What is "Revive!" about? It's a gathering and celebration for followers of Jesus. The events begin on Friday evening June 11th and end with a celebration on Sunday afternoon June 13th. The "Revive!" weekend will be a time for people who are tired of fighting the culture war, of letting our differences - theology, class, race, denomination - get in the way of our yearning to be a beloved community marked by unity, not uniformity. It’s a new conversation about being passionate for both Jesus and justice, and what it means to be a follower of Jesus engaged in the world with the prophets’ cry for justice.

It’s a call to conversion. "Revive!" is a... revival. Conversation is hot air if that’s all it is. This conversation is aimed at conversion: to create new, passionate followers of Jesus, to revive the faith of those who’ve been in the trenches, and to invite the spirit to breathe new life into the church.

It’s a call to bear fruit. James had it right: "a faith that refuses to roll up its sleeves is dead." This event, this encounter, is a call to bear fruit befitting members of the Beloved Community - by inspiring and equipping folks to seek and to do justice everywhere, especially where we are.

What will happen? Over a weekend, people will be able to hear inspiring preaching, theological reflection, teaching and story-telling, all focused around the Word of God. Those who come will gain new insight, tools and energy for the ongoing work of doing justice, where we are. We gather around the Word made flesh, known to us as we worship together in spirit and truth. Worship will be the keystone of our experience together.

Who will be there? You ... Along with a 1,000 others, gathering over June 11-13, 2010, at Trinity Cathedral in Trenton, NJ. All kinds of people you would not normally hang out with, including people from other churches and Christian tradition. College students and blue haireds. People of all races and ages, who are tired of the old conversation, and yearn for the new wind of the spirit to blow down the walls that divide. The speakers, nationally known and local heroes, come with a variety of perspectives and backgrounds, and will challenge you, and each other, to find integrity in your Christian faith, and deploy it in new ways in the world.

For more information about "Revive!" please visit: www.revivejustice.org

On behalf of the steering committee for "Revive!"

The Reverend Gregory Bezilla, Chaplain

The Episcopal Campus Ministry at Rutgers

Canterbury House

5 Mine St.

New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1111

Web: episcopal.rutgers.edu

Office: 732.932.1278

E-mail: bezilla@rci.rutgers.edu

March 2010
Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
*28 –* *Palm Sunday* 8 AM – Holy Eucharist 10 AM – Choral Eucharist, Sunday School & Nursery Palms distributed at both services	29 *Grace’s Kitchen*	30	31 7 PM – Evening Prayer 7:30 - Choir 7:30 - AA	1- Maundy Thursday 7:30 – Holy Eucharist & Foot Washing	2 – Good Friday 12 Noon – Stations of the Cross 12-3 PM – Ecumenical Service, Dunellen United Methodist Church 7:30 PM – Good Friday Liturgy	3 – Holy Saturday 9 AM – Liturgy of the Word 8 PM – Great Vigil of Easter
4 – Easter Day 8 AM – Holy Eucharist 10 AM – Choral Eucharist, Sunday School & Nursery Easter Egg Hunt	5	6	7 7:30 - AA	8	9	10 7:30 – Frank Runyeon Concert, Mt. Holly
11 – 1^st Sunday of Easter 8 AM – Holy Eucharist 10 AM – Choral Eucharist, Sunday School & Nursery	12	13	14 7:30 - Choir 7:30 - AA	15	16	17
18 – 2^ndt Sunday of Easter 8 AM – Holy Eucharist 10 AM – Choral Eucharist, Sunday School & Nursery	19	20 7 PM – Vestry Meeting	21 7:30 - Choir 7:30 - AA	22	23	24 Discovering Your God-Given Gifts for Service 9AM-3PM, St. Matthew’s, Pennington, NJ
25 – 3^rd Sunday of Easter 8 AM – Holy Eucharist 10 AM – Choral Eucharist, Sunday School & Nursery	26 Grace’s Kitchen	27	28 7:30 - Choir 7:30 - AA	29	30	1

Holy Week Worship Schedule

Palm Sunday

Liturgy of the Palms and Holy Eucharist: 8:00 & 9:45 AM

Wednesday in Holy Week

Evening Prayer: 7:00 pm

Maundy Thursday

Holy Eucharist and Foot Washing: 7:30 pm

Overnight Prayer Vigil: 9:00 PM to 12 Noon

Good Friday

Stations of the Cross: 12 Noon

Ecumenical Service: 12 Noon- 3:00 PM,
Dunellen United Methodist Church

Good Friday Liturgy: 7:30 PM

Holy Saturday

Liturgy of the Word: 9:00 AM

Great Vigil of Easter: 8:00 PM

Resurrection Feast to follow.

Bring a bell to ring in the Resurrection and food to share for the Feast!

Easter Day

Holy Eucharist 8:& 10:00 AM

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TRINITY CATHEDRAL INVITES YOU TO:

Come on! Let's "play ball" together!!

JOIN OTHER MEMBERS OF THE DIOCESE OF NJ AT

Go to fullsize image

BASEBALL STADIUM

FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 2010 @ 7:05 PM

TRENTON THUNDER (NY YANKEES) vs.

Go to fullsize image

NEW HAMPSHIRE FISHER CATS (TORONTO BLUE JAYS)

Special guests Bishop George Councell and Dean Rene John

This is sure to be a fun-filled evening, please come and share it amongst

your friends in the Diocese.

We have 250 seats reserved and they will be going quickly!

Please join us as we continue CELEBRATING 225 years

of the Diocese of NJ

Tickets are just $11.00 - contact the Cathedral office

at (609) 392-3805 ext. 100 to reserve yours now!

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OUTREACH

Community Lenten Service - Thanks to all who participated in this event on March 17th. Fr. Jack was the preacher for the noon service and St. Francis' provided ushers, sandwiches, soup & a lot of hard work. Green table cloths & corned beef made this a true St. Pat's Day celebration.

ERD -Continuing with our support of ERD- mite boxes have been distributed for your use during Lent. The proceeds will be collected on Palm Sunday & Easter Sunday. Please donate generously.

Grace's Kitchen - Next dates for our support to this Plainfield Area Soup Kitchen are March 29th & April 26th. Need a ride?? Please contact Pam Maiolo or Fr. Jack for info.

During the months of March & April, monetary donations made to this outreach program will be entitled to a "Match" by the philanthropic Feinstein organization. Moneys received will be used to directly impact the program & facilities at Grace's Kitchen. Special giving envelopes can be found on the back table of the sanctuary. Checks can be made payable to St. Francis Church & we will forward one check from the congregation. Any questions please see Fr. Jack or Pam Maiolo.

FISH - April's collection will be changed to a special collection for FISH Hospitality. Laundry detergent, dryer sheets, liquid bleach & woman's body wash are needed for the guests of this local homeless program.

Coupon Clip- We are continuing to clip coupons for the benefit of the

NJ Council of Churches in Trenton. The greatest need is for coupons for cereal, baby items, paper goods & cleaning supplies.

Eye glasses & hearing aids- The collection of these items continues. Adult, children's, sunglasses, prescription or non prescription. Donations bucket is in the Narthex.

Knitting for charity - It has been suggested that we start a knitting group at St. Francis that would donate items made to area hospitals, animal shelters, Seaman's Institute, etc. Are you interested??? Please contact Amy Myzie or Pam Maiolo if
you would be interested in participating or have any suggestions.

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Attention Parents!

We need acolytes! If your son or daughter is eight years old or more, and would like to become an acolyte for St. Francis’ Church, please see Fr. Zamboni or Tiffany O’Sullivan. Your child would serve approximately twice a month, and the schedules are made up to take vacations into account. Please consider this worthwhile and educational ministry in our church.

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Sunday School

Good stories are welcomed over and over again. This is certainly true of Bible stories, sometimes gentle parables, sometimes stories filled with excitement and dark moments, they are always inspiring.

During this season of Lent we talked about a delinquent fig tree. We learned that the big word in The Lord's Prayer, trespasses (which we say slowly so that all of us can get our tongues around it), can mean not only bad acts done but also good ones not done. And God is right there ready to give us another chance and all the help we need to do better.

We snacked on fig bars and chocolate chip cookies (Jesus never had one of those), and most of us like chocolate chip better.

Next we considered Joseph who helped his hungry people to better times in Egypt. Then we talked of Moses who led them out again when things were bad. Both experienced good and bad times as did all their people. Both loved and revered God no matter what and helped their people to do the same. And God was always right there with them to give them the help they needed.

We snacked on matzo and challah with butter and grape juice.

Then on to that Passover long after Moses time when Jesus and those who loved him endured a roller coaster ride from adulation to scorn and suffering to death and resurrection. It's best we can't really imagine it.

As always we participate in the procession on Palm Sunday, and the Easter egg hunt on Easter Sunday. We present at the altar over $100.00 collected in our donation jar to help the suffering people in Haiti.

And so our church year goes, ever familiar yet always with more new things to learn.

The wall and floor in the Nellie Reid Room remained dry during the recent deluge! Many thanks to those who made it happen!

Barbara Dalto

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America's First River Chaplain

River ministry pioneer Wilkinson retires from SCI at end of April

The Rev. James (Jim) R. Wilkinson retires this year in April after over 11 years of service to the nation's inland waterways community as their first full-time, fully-dedicated chaplain. In 1998, the Seamen's Church Institute (SCI) called Wilkinson to head up Ministry on the River, a first-of-its-kind endeavor offering pastoral care to river mariners and their families in the United States.

Wilkinson's 'congregation' of mariners spanned thousands of miles of moving waters from Pittsburgh, PA to Greenville, MS. Wilkinson visited mariners, often traveling with them on their vessels, and established a network of clergy and churches who serve as a resource to mariners traveling through their communities.

In his ministry as a chaplain with SCI, Wilkinson reminisces of both difficult times (like crewmember fatalities) and grand occasions (like christenings of new vessels). Voyaging through significant life experiences with mariners, Wilkinson says that he received many rewards. "I will never forget the many mariners I have met and will always have as friends."

Prior to coming to SCI, Wilkinson served as a chaplain in the US Army. After retiring from the Army, Wilkinson's bishop at that time recommended him for the newly created river chaplain position at SCI.

His shoes will be difficult to fill, according to SCI's Executive Director, but adds that Wilkinson leaves SCI with a great inheritance. "Thanks to Jim, Ministry on the River's infrastructure and its well-built reputation empowers this original ministry for wonderful things to come."

About SCI's Ministry on the River

Established in 1998, SCI's Ministry on the River is the nation's only full-time pastoral care ministry on the Ohio and Lower Mississippi River systems. From Pittsburgh, PA to Houston, TX and points in between and beyond, a network of clergy and lay volunteers on the inland rivers serves as a resource to mariners and their families. The program, operating 365 days a year, includes boat visits, counseling services, fellowship, and collecting and distributing gifts for Christmas and Easter.

About SCI

Founded in 1834 and affiliated with the Episcopal Church, though nondenominational in terms of its trustees, staff and service to mariners, the Seamen's Church Institute of New York & New Jersey (SCI) is the largest, most comprehensive mariners' agency in North America. Annually, its chaplains visit thousands of vessels in the Port of New York and New Jersey, the Port of Oakland, and along 2,200 miles of America's inland waterways. SCI's maritime education facilities provide navigational training to nearly 1,600 mariners each year through simulator-based facilities located in Houston, TX and Paducah, KY. The Institute and its maritime attorneys are recognized as leading advocates for merchant mariners by the United States Government, including the US Congress, the US Coast Guard, and the Department of Homeland Security, as well as the United Nations, the International Maritime Organization, the International Labor Organization and maritime trade associations.

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Book Group

Our present discussions are about "The Winter of Our Discontent" by John Steinbeck, thought by some to be as good as if not better than his earlier masterpiece, "The Grapes of Wrath".

We meet in Milbank Hall on Wednesdays at noon for about an hour. We love to have visitors sit in even if they have not read the book we're discussing. Bring along a bag lunch if you’d like and join us.

For information, call Barbara Dalto, (732) 563-2243.

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Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Our annual Easter Egg Hunt will take place after the 10AM Easter Sunday Mass on April 4th. Weather permitting, the Easter Egg hunt will take place outside. We are NOT looking for donations of plastic Easter eggs – we have plenty from previous years – but for donations of individually wrapped candies, stickers, and small toys with which to stuff the eggs. A box will be in the Narthex for donations.

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St. Francis’ Shut-Ins

Most of the parishioners below are no longer able to attend church regularly. By remembering them in our prayers and sending them cards, we let them know they remain part of our parish family – a great blessing to them in the isolation they often experience.

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Frank Runyeon Concert

April 10, 2010 at 7:30 pm

St. Andrew's Parish House

Two shows: "Sermon on the Mount" & "Hollywood vs. Faith"

They are two wonderful stories from the Bible and about faith.

Frank Runyeon, a widely recognized actor of stage, film, and TV, will be starring in these outstanding productions.

This endeavor by an Episcopalian Church acknowledges that the message of God surpasses all denominational and religious boundaries as the Good News of God's love goes out into the world.

This will be a program for the whole family. It will be especially enjoyable for teens.

Pre-sold tickets are as follows:

Adults $ 15

Students and Seniors (62) $ 12

Tickets at the door $ 20

Please make checks payable to St. Andrew's Church; mail to:

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

121 High Street

Mount Holly, NJ 08060

Attention: Frank Runyeon Concert

…ST. FRANCIS’ EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Serving the Church During April

Sunday, April 4^th – Easter Day

…ST. FRANCIS’ EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Serving the Church During April

Sunday, April 4th – Easter Day

Sunday, April 4^th – Easter Day