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Dear Sisters and Brothers,
Last month I asked, What’s Next? in the life and ministry of St. Francis. Your vestry and clergy, with the excellent leadership of Mother Sheelagh Clarke, spent a hard-working 24 hours at the Convent of St. John the Baptist to start the process of moving us forward into God’s future.
We began by looking at the challenges of the past, describing the strengths that had helped St. Francis get through them and claiming the confidence for the future that those experiences had given us. We named assets and values of the parish, explored how we experience God’s presence in our common life, looked at our ministry context and attended to God’s call to let the “whole world see and know” (Book of Common Prayer p. 515) God’s work in and through us.
Last and by no means least, we began to develop a set of goals to guide our ministry in the coming years. Mother Sheelagh, an experienced strategic planner, recommended we set goals in 3 different time frames:
The results of the Vestry’s work are on the next two pages and we want you to read them carefully.
We know that we need the input and support of the whole congregation to determine which goals to put our energy into (especially as there are more possibilities here than we can tackle at once) and to bring them to fruition.
So… beginning in Church on Sunday June 13th and extending through our Picnic Sunday, June 27th , you will have the chance to let us know what you think about these goals and which ones you want to work on in some simple and, we hope, fun ways. To prepare for that opportunity, please ponder the vestry’s work over the next few weeks. If you have questions, please ask any of the Vestry who were on the retreat. Above all, pray that together we may listen to God’s voice and be prepared to do God’s work as we move into the years to come.
Peace,
Jack
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One Year
Goals
YOUTH
GROUP
·
Form an
active Youth Group at St. Francis
o Nancy Dunham & Paul Sinckler will co-lead, starting this fall. Can you help?
NEWCOMERS
·
Develop a
process to welcome, track & incorporate newcomers into the life of St.
Francis.
o Deacon Marge is forming a team to work on this critical task. Can you help?
IDENTIFY
TALENTS
·
Identify
talents that parishioners have to offer for the ministry of St. Francis.
SPIRITUAL
GROWTH
·
Provide
opportunities for Bible Study, the sharing of our faith stories and deeper
fellowship.
TRANSPORTATION
· Offer transportation to parishioners who need rides to/from church (and other places)
One to
Three Year Goals
PARKING
LOT
·
Pave and expand
the parking lot to provide room for growth and greater ease of parking.
o Research
of storm sewer plans for
INTENTIONAL
INVITATION
·
Develop
multiple ways to invite people in the community to events and worship at St.
Francis.
GIFTING/TITHING
·
Develop a
spirit and practice of generous giving in the congregation.
ADMINISTRATIVE
ASSISTANT
·
Hire a
paid administrative assistant.
LINKS WITH THE
·
Create
links with the local
COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT
·
Assess
the needs in our community to which St. Francis could respond with outreach
projects.
Three to Five Year Goals
COMMUNITY BASED OUTREACH PROJECTS
·
Develop
community outreach project(s) based at St. Francis, possibly using the
Vicarage.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE SERVICE/MINISTRY
·
Offer
worship in a language other than English and ministry to/with people whose
first language is not English.
THREE SERVICES
·
Offer three
services each Sunday/weekend.
FULL-TIME PRIEST
·
Have a
full-time priest.
MOVE FROM
·
Be
recognized as a Parish of the Diocese
o St.
Francis is currently classified as a
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Birthdays & Anniversaries in June
Happy Birthday to:
Madison Jarvis –
6/3
Kim Myers – 6/8
Tammi Heiney –
6/10
Robert Rojewski
– 6/12
Reggie Myers –
6/15
Barbara Herman –
6/16
Peter Hausman –
6/16
Barbara Dalto –
6/17
Alexander Murray
– 6/20
Matthew Murray –
6/20
Julia Parmelee –
6/22
Judith
Yannariello – 6/25
Anniversary of Baptism
Natalie Toke –
6/1
Matthew Toke –
6/1
Lauren Telesco –
6/1
Alex Meyer – 6/1
Benjamin Webb –
6/1
Seth Heiney –
6/3
Karen Williams –
6/9
Cordell Trotman
– 6/18
Richard Trotman,
Jr. – 6/18
Jarrel Cudjoe –
6/21
Lucas Doesburgh
– 6/22
Anniversary of Confirmation
Neil
Donnelly – 6/1
Audrey
Johansen – 6/6
Karen
Williams – 6/8
Tiffany
Cudjoe – 6/9
Sheron
Cudjoe – 6/9
Patrick
Ward – 6/16
Jarrell
Cudjoe – 6/16
Mae
DeRogatis – 6/16
Anthony
DeRogatis, Jr. – 6/16
Wedding Anniversaries
Anthony &
Daryl DeRogatis – 6/1
Marian &
Johnnie White – 6/14
Calvin & Joy
King – 6/21
Brian &
Allison (
Clinton &
Norma O’Sullivan – 6/24
Brian & Jill
Conway – 6/29
If your family’s birtdays, baptism or
confirmation dates, or wedding anniversary have
failed to appear in this column, please
contact me or someone in the office.
8 AM Lector
- Carroll Wilson
Chalice - Paul Sinckler
Usher - Carroll Wilson
10 AM Acolytes - Cecil Baker, Ashley Beam, Nancy Crowther
Lectors - Princess Thomas, Pam Maiolo
Chalice - Elaine Patania, Princess Thomas
Ushers - Waring Webb, Pam Maiolo
Greeter - Norma Trimmer
Counters - Audrey McConney, Nancy Dunham
Altar Guild - Leslie Oliver, Pam Maiolo, Cordell
Trotman
Sunday, June 13th
8 AM Lector
- Amy Myzie
Chalice - Norma Tucker
Usher - Ed Myzie
10 AM Acolytes - Kelsey Pelliccia, Jonathan Parmelee, Arielle Baker
Lectors - Leslie Oliver, Elaine Patania
Chalice - Tiffany O’Sullivan, Norma Tucker
Ushers - Barbara O’Neill, Arthur McConney
Greeter - Barbara O’Neill
Counters - Elaine Patania, Pam Maiolo
Altar Guild - Geri Peters, Karen Williams, Barbara
Dalto
Sunday, June 20th
8 AM Lector
- A/S Benjamin
Chalice - Paul Sinckler
Usher - Carroll Wilson
10 AM Acolytes - Vito Pelliccia, Amanda Telesco, Evelyn McNelis
Lectors - Lisa Webb, Pam Maiolo
Chalice - Lisa Webb, Elaine Patania
Ushers - Karen Williams, Geri Peters
Greeter - Leslie Oliver
Counters - Leslie Oliver, Waring Webb
Altar Guild - Audrey Johansen, Norma O’Sullivan, Sharon
Benjamin, N. Edwards
Sunday, June 27th – Church
Picnic
8 AM Lector
- Carroll Wilson
Chalice - Norma Tucker
Usher - Carroll Wilson
10 AM Acolytes - Nancy Crowther, Ashley Beam, Cecil Baker
Lectors - Leslie Oliver, Nancy Dunham
Chalice - Tiffany O’Sullivan, Princess Thomas
Ushers - Elaine & Tom Patania
Greeter - Mary Pfeiffer, Audrey McConney
Altar Guild - Barbara O’Neill, Norma Trimmer, Muriel
Wilson
==================================================================================================================================================
From the
Deacon’s Desk
Gifts of the
Spirit – Pentecost
Sunday
What a wonderful day this has been! I really felt the spirit alive and well at
St. Francis this morning as we celebrated Pentecost, with wonderful readings in
several languages. It struck me as I
listened to all the voices and languages speaking at the same time, that the
sense of awe at that first Pentecost must have been overwhelming. I was surprised at the awe that I felt at
that moment. The choir was superb and
the Veni Sancte Spiritus really set
the tone.
We all, in our own way, speak different ‘languages’. We are all imbued with God’s Spirit, yet
unique. Some are quiet, others more
vocal; some are good at math, others can’t balance a check-book; some are
artists, others can’t draw a stick figure.
We are all different, yet one in Christ.
It’s in our differences that we become a quilt of God’s love, each piece
stitched together by God to create a beautiful and pleasing whole. And
every piece is needed.
Today, the greetings among everyone at the peace were
extraordinary. Even Fr. Greg remarked on
the friendliness of all at St. Francis, and that from the moment he walked in
the door, he felt welcomed and loved. It
wasn’t one person, but many, who showed God’s spirit to a newcomer!
Showing God’s love, his Spirit in you, as you did this
morning is key. Formal ‘welcoming’ ideas
are good, and keep us on our toes, as it were.
But none of them can come close to simply expressing the joy you have in
your hearts of God with us — as happened today.
It’s natural, not contrived. It’s
genuine, not ‘forced’. And most
importantly, it is simply who we are as Christians. That is our “product” — to put it in
commercial terms. That is what sets us
apart from other organizations that reach out to others (Habitat), or have
social reasons for being (a country club).
That is what people come into our doors for – a sense of needing God in
their lives as well.
As you go forth into the world this summer, rejoice
and give thanks for the power of the Spirit in your lives! Let it shine!
In Christ’s name –
Dcn. Marge
Micellaneous Notes:
Congratulations – to
our high school graduates, Arielle Baker, Kaitlyn Meyer, Kelsey Pelliccia and
Greg Myzie! Arielle graduates from
Middle¬sex HS, and will head to the
Country Dancing –
will hold their final session for the season on Friday, June 11th. They will pick up in the fall when it’s
cooler in the undercroft.
Choir – will hold
their last rehearsal of the year on Wednesday, June 23rd. Also note that the choir will gather for
lunch on Sunday, June 6th at the Olive Garden at noon.
PLEASE CORRECT – The
telephone number listed in our new pictorial directory for Barbara O’Neill is
not correct; please change it to (732) 968-6384. Please notify me and/or Father Zamboni if you
see any additional errors in the directory.
Church Picnic – will
be held on Sunday, June 27th, rain or shine.
Sign-up lists will be posted on the table in the Narthex. Please plan to have your whole family attend
– and to bring
a dish to share!
Congratulations – to
Adrian McConney and Tiffany Morrison on their engagement on May 15, 2010!!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Musical
Notes
The
choir and musical director would like to thank Edith Phelps for her diligent
efforts in organizing our music library, and in generally cleaning out our
vesting room. Looking good!
I
want to remind the choir that we will be meeting for lunch at Olive Garden at
noon on Sunday, June 6th, to celebrate another year well done. We’ve had a very successful year, thanks
greatly to the support of our Vicar and our enthusiastic congregation.
Lastly,
as always, we are looking for members.
Anyone who can carry a tune (especially men!) is welcome to join us in
the choir pews. Our rehearsals are on
Wednesday evenings at 7:30, and we usually get out about 9:00 to 9:15. We have a good time, but the more, the
merrier!
Elma
Adams
Musical
Director
*********************************************************************************************************************************************************************
|
June 2010 |
||||||
|
Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
|
30 8 AM – Holy Eucharist 10 AM – Choral
Eucharist, Sunday School & Nursery |
31 – Memorial Day Grace’s Kitchen |
1 |
2 Noon – Book Group 7:30 PM – A.A. 7:30 PM - Choir |
3 |
4 7:30 PM – Country Dancing |
5 |
|
6 8 AM – Holy Eucharist 10 AM – Choral Eucharist, Sunday School & Nursery Noon – Choir Meeting, Olive Garden |
7 |
8 |
9 Noon – Book Group 7:30 PM – A.A. 7:30 PM – Choir |
10 |
11 7:30 PM – FINAL Country Dancing of the season |
12 |
|
13 8 AM – Holy Eucharist 10 AM – Choral Eucharist, Sunday
School & Nursery 3 PM – Jazz Concert |
14 |
15 7 PM - Vestry |
16 Noon – Book Group 7:30 PM – A.A. 7:30 PM – Choir |
17 |
18 |
19 |
|
20 8 AM – Holy Eucharist 10 AM – Choral Eucharist, Sunday School & Nursery |
21 |
22 |
23 Noon – Book Group 7:30 PM – A.A. 7:30 PM - Choir |
24 |
25 |
26 |
|
27 8 AM – Holy Eucharist 10 AM – Choral Eucharist, Sunday School & Nursery Church Picnic! |
28 Grace’s Kitchen |
29 |
30 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
2010/2011
JULY
Peanut Butter/Jelly |
AUGUST
Juice |
SEPTEMBER
Cereal Cold/Hot |
OCTOBER
Milk Parmalat box |
NOVEMBER
Canned
Vegetables |
DECEMBER
Your choice |
JANUARY
Pasta/sauce |
FEBRUARY
baby
food/supplies |
MARCH
Rice & Beans |
APRIL
FISH Hospitality Donation (TBA) |
MAY
canned/jarred
fruit |
JUNE
Your choice |
JAZZ
CONCERT
LITTLE
BIG BAND
Sunday,
JUNE 13th, 3 P.M.
$10
includes light refreshments
ST.
FRANCIS’ EPISCOPAL CHURCH
400 New
Market Rd., Dunellen, N.J.
732-968-6781
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
LEARN CPR TODAY!
If you are interested in becoming certified in how to
save a life,
CONTACT
SENIOR WARDEN AMY MYZIE
Classes will also be offered in Adult, Child, Infant
CPR and the use of an AED
(automated external defibrillator).
====================================================================================================================================
TRINITY CATHEDRAL INVITES YOU TO:
Come
on! Let's "play ball" together!!
JOIN OTHER
MEMBERS OF THE DIOCESE OF NJ AT
BASEBALL
STADIUM
FRIDAY,
JUNE 25, 2010 @ 7:05 PM
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!
**********************************************************************************************
OUTREACH
Episcopal Campus Ministry at
Grace's Kitchen - Next date for our support to this Plainfield Area Soup
Kitchen
is May 31st, Memorial
Day. June 28th & August
30th are our scheduled summer dates.
FISH - May's suggested donation is canned or jarred fruit & June
is YOUR CHOICE. Please check expiration dates. Expired products will be
discarded. Remember hunger doesn't go on vacation in the summer. A new schedule
(2010/2011) of suggested donations can be found elsewhere in this newsletter.
FISH Hospitality - A thank you note was
received from Susan Baybutt, Exec. Dir. for laundry supplies & body washes
given for the Hospitality clients. Thanks to all who donated.
Coupon Clip- We are continuing to clip coupons for the benefit of
the NJ Council of Churches in
Eye glasses & hearing aids- The collection of these items
continues. Adult, children's,sunglasses, prescription or non prescription.
Collection bucket is in the Narthex.
*********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Mark your
calendar!!
June 13 @ 3pm - A fund raising concert will be held at St. Francis by the Lil'
Big Band. This 9-piece jazz band will entertain us with selections from the
30's, 40's & 50's. Come out & enjoy some great swing from musicians on
the NJ music circuit. Tickets are $10 including light refreshments.
==============================================================================================================
Sunday School
On Mother's
Day we used the term "mothering" as we thought of all who
might provide nurturing, teaching, care giving, etc. once thought of as
"women's work". We agreed that sometimes earthly fathers fill
the role, and certainly God the Father does his
share of "mothering".
One thoughtful child asked,
"Why isn't it called "fathering" then?" Good
question. And so we concluded that anyone who will take on the tasks and
give the loving needed can provide "parenting". (Such reasoning
could change the face of Hallmark!)
Debbie Santucci is helping to
show our St. Francis children how important they are as part of our church
family by taking the time to teach them a hymn. Fr. Jack is reinforcing
the effort by including the same hymn in the portion of the service the
children attend.
We want always to have our Sunday School doors open to all. That is why it
is important that we put together a list of volunteers ready to fill in when
Mary Pfeiffer or I must be absent. This will be even more urgent in
September when Mary will no longer be able to be with our 3 to 5 year olds
every Sunday. No one person need commit to the entire task if several
people offer to serve in this ministry once every few weeks from 10 until 10:45
AM on Sunday morning. Activities include prayers and candle lighting
together with all children in the Nellie Reid Room followed by a story, song or
craft, and time for play. Mary has ordered helpful curriculum materials
for the fall, winter and spring.
For more information or to offer your help please contact Fr.
Jack, Mary Pfeiffer, or myself.
Barbara Dalto, (732)
563-2243
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Jubilee Ministry
Jubilee Focus Group meetings will be held in early June to gather
up lay and ordained
leaders active in Jubilee Ministry in the
Diocese. These meetings are for folks doing Jubilee work - feeding the
hungry, sheltering the homeless, liberating the oppressed, visiting the
prisoner, working re-entry, supplying education to the under-resourced - whether
they are officially Jubilee ministries or not.
June 9, 4:00 p.m. Trinity Cathedral,
June 12, 3:00 p.m. Trinity Cathedral,
Jarrett
The
Rev. Jarrett Kerbel, Director
The
Crisis Ministry of Princeton and
(p) 609.396.9355 ext 13
(f) 609.396.5692
jarrettk@thecrisisministry.org
**********************************************************************************************
Book Group
The group plans to meet on June
2 and 9 to finish Sandra Brown's
"Rainwater".
On June 16 we will have a
reading of O'Henry's short story, "The Ransom of
Red Chief", and on June 23, a reading of a portion of Bill Bryson's "A Walk
In the Woods". We will decide if we want to read the entire
very funny yet informative book about two middle aged
men, not in very good shape, who attempt to hike the
On June 30 we will have our all important lunch out.
Our list of books can always use more suggested
reading. We are looking at "Barabas", by Par Lagerkvist,
"Hotel On the Corner of Bitter and
Sweet", by Jamie Ford, and "A Bend In the Road", by Nicholas Sparks, just to name a few, when we resume in
September.
We meet at noon on Wednesdays in Milbank Hall with bag
lunch. Our group is relaxed and flexible. We discuss books in
sections of 50 or 60 pages at a time and laughter is encouraged. Try us,
even without reading the book.
Barbara Dalto.
==================================================================================
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.
*
* * * *
*******
Angela Chernichowski
*******
Melinda Hammond
Phone: (732) 269-0500
Melinda
does not have a phone in her room, but one can set-up a phone appt. through the
social services office who will arrange to have
her near the phone extension at some pre-set time.