Dear Friends,

As I write in the beginning of Lent, I find myself looking forward to the Liturgies of Holy Week, especially Palm Sunday and the Triduum (the great Three Days): Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and the Great Vigil of Easter.

The pattern of Holy Week worship we know developed first among Christians in Jerusalem, probably in the 4^th century. In the city where the events of the last week of Jesus' life had actually happened, the worship of Holy Week aimed to make real the experiences of those momentous days to all who participated. Palm Sunday included a procession through the city streets, and the services of the Triduum took place in churches built on the traditional sites of the Last Supper, Crucifixion and the Empty Tomb.

As pilgrims brought accounts of Holy Week worship in the Holy City home to Western Europe, the liturgies of Jerusalem were adapted to local circumstances – but always with the same purpose: that in worship, Christians might experience more deeply God's work of redemption in Jesus' Passion, Death and Resurrection.

It is no wonder, then, that Holy Week worship has always had a dramatic cast to it – for these services are a re-presentation of the holy drama of Jesus' final days. As Holy Week opens, we cry Hosanna! and wave palms as did the people of Jerusalem almost 2,000 years ago. We tell the story of the Passion not as a long reading, but a short play – with biblical characters being played by members of the congregation.

Maundy Thursday brings us to the Upper Room where we not only recall the Last Supper in the celebration of the Eucharist, but also wash feet as Jesus did in St. John's telling of the tale. An overnight Prayer Vigil recalls Gethsemane. The Good Friday Liturgy is dark and spare, as the Passion is told again and a plain wooden cross is set before the congregation to contemplate.

The Great Vigil of Easter starts in darkness, then is illumined by flame as the light of the new creation of the Resurrection shines forth. Baptism heralds the new life Christ has brought and bells ring out in joy. And through the whole week, prayers, music and action used only at this time of year tell us that we are in the midst of something different, momentous and life-changing, if we will only let ourselves be immersed in the experience.

I hope that this Holy Week, you will join me and your sisters and brothers at St. Francis in walking this holy way -- from the hills overlooking Jerusalem, to the streets of the city, to the Upper Room, the Garden, Golgotha and the Empty Tomb. Come, and let the worship of this Holy Week lead you deeper in the love of God. Come walk the way of the cross, and find it none other than the way of life. Come.

Peace,

Jack+

Happy Birthday to:

Brent O’Neill – 3/1

Jim York – 3/3

Sharon Benjamin – 3/4

Nicole King – 3/5

Natalie Toke – 3/7

Samantha Meyer – 3/7

Marisa Myers – 3/8

Francis Thomas – 3/9

Ricky Jaeger – 3/13

Don Hirsch – 3/14

Lawrence Burns – 3/15

Steve DeCandia – 3/15

Lucas Doesburgh – 3/15

James Jaeger – 3/15

Scott Torzewski – 3/15

Martin Wilson – 3/15

Adrian McConney – 3/16

Bernard Heirholzer – 3/18

Clay Horton – 3/20

Cathy Hirsch – 3/23

Ava Parmelee – 3/25

Brenna Conway – 3/27

Karen Meyer – 3/27

Anniversary of Baptism

Jim York – 3/1

Tyler Neal – 3/7

Nicholas Neal – 3/8

Melanie Rojewski – 3/9

Edith Peters – 3/22

Althea Heirholzer – 3/28

Anniversary of Confirmation

Jack Zamboni – 3/12

Barbara Dalto – 3/14

Anthony DeRogatis – 3/17

Daryl DeRogatis – 3/20

Geraldine Peters – 3/22

Wedding Anniversaries

Mark & Joanna Torzewski – 3/3

Thomas & Susan D’Alessandro – 3/21

John & Maryann Doesburgh – 3/23

Sunday, March 7^th

8 AM Lector - Amy Myzie

Chalice - Paul Sinckler

Usher - Ed Myzie

10 AM Acolytes - Ashley Beam, Evelyn McNelis, Cecil Baker

Lectors - Princess Thomas, Nancy Dunham

Chalice - Norma Tucker, Tiffany O’Sullivan

Ushers - Pam Maiolo, Waring Webb

Greeter - Leslie Oliver

Counters - Mary Pfeiffer, Audrey McConney

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

Sunday, March 14^th

8 AM Lector - A/S Benjamin

Chalice - Norma Tucker

Usher - Carroll Wilson

10 AM Acolytes - Nancy Crowther, Amanda Telesco, Arielle Baker

Lectors - Leslie Oliver, Sandy McNeilis

Chalice - Elaine Patania, Lisa Webb

Ushers - Arthur McConney, Barbara O’Neill

Greeter - Audrey Johansen

Counters - Elaine Patania, Nancy Dunham

Altar Guild - Leslie Oliver, Pam Maiolo, Cordell Trotman

Sunday, March 21^st

8 AM Lector - Carroll Wilson

Chalice - Paul Sinckler

Usher - Carroll Wilson

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

Lectors - Lisa Webb, Pam Maiolo

Chalice - Tom Jackson, Princess Thomas

Ushers - Elaine Patania, Tom Patania

Greeter - Norma Trimmer

Counters - Pam Maiolo, Leslie Oliver

Altar Guild - Geri Peters, Karen Williams, Barbara Dalto

Sunday, March 28^th – PALM SUNDAY

8 AM Lector - Amy Myzie

Chalice - Paul Sinckler

Usher - Ed Myzie

9:45 AM Acolytes - Arielle Baker, Ashley Beam, Cecil Baker, Kelsey Pelliccia

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

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MEET YOUR DEACON

To all at St. Francis:

I’ve only been with you less than a month, and already I feel “at home”. That is amazing to me, for you have all been incredibly warm and welcoming. If that is how you work evangelism, my job will certainly be an easy one! I’m looking forward to getting to know each of you better.

Fr. Jack asked that I write so you would get to know me and my story better. I hope this answers some of your questions.

I was ordained in 1998 and served at St. Martin’s for 7 years as deacon (and 1 year as an intern). Before that I was a member of St. John’s, so have had quite a bit of contact with St. Francis through the Convocation Lenten Study program that was used before Fr. Stowe retired. I also worked with The Rev. Elizabeth Geitz on evangelism projects—again for the convocation.

My prior experience is quite varied. My parents were German immigrants, so it was not surprising that I majored in German and Linguistics, studying at the University of Munich my Jr. Year, where I met my husband. After marrying, we went back for a year; he was a graduate student while I was a translator for the Dean of the Medical School at the University of Mainz. That was when I first became interested in the medical field, although I was not aware of it then. When I returned to the US, I taught German in Michigan until my first child, Rebecca (now in SC) was born. Two years later Victoria was born (now in NH and mother of my 3 grandchildren – Cameron, Brenna, and Shannon). I was a stay-at-home Mom. After moving to Connecticut, I worked part-time at Norwalk Hospital and became very involved at an Episcopal Church in Norwalk.

When we moved to Bridgewater in 1979, we transferred to St. John’s, Somerville, where we were all very involved in church life. It was while there that I first experienced a call to ordained ministry, and began working with the Director of Pastoral Care at Somerset Medical Center, trained as a lay chaplain. At the same time, I returned to school, receiving degrees in programming and business administration, eventually working for AT&T as a programmer and
database analyst. It was while at AT&T that I went through the Deacon Formation Program. Shortly after ordination, God had other plans, and I was unexpectedly given early retirement in 2000 (along with 17,000 others), freeing me for full time service.

A few months later I was accepted as a Resident at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in Clinical Pastoral Education, and spent a year there, assigned to Pediatrics and Oncology. When finished, I began working as a Chaplain at Hagedorn Psychiatric Hospital in Glen Gardner, focusing on grief ministry, and later also at Chelsea Assisted Living in Bridgewater, positions which I still hold.

My life with the Lord has been full…and full of surprises. I was ‘unchurched’ until 12 when a friend invited me to a square dance her Methodist Church was having, and I was soon baptized and active in the youth ministries of that church. I was active at the Canterbury House in college, and joined the Episcopal Church at that time. God has blessed me with invitations to be closer to Him at the most unlikely times and in the most unlikely places, so ‘invitation’ is dear to me.

I pray that I can help you all be inviters of God’s grace to others.

In Peace,

Deacon Marge

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OUTREACH

ERD - $888.00 in donations was collected for Haiti Relief; with $100.00 from Vestry Outreach, a total of $988.00 has been sent to Episcopal Relief & Development from St. Francis'. Thanks to all who donated either via mail, on line or through your donations made at St. Francis. Up to date information about the Haiti relief effort & other world wide efforts by ERD can be found at www.er-d.org

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. I wonder what our total $$ amount would be if we each put in 1(one) dollar per day in our mite box??? We might be able to send a check to ERD for more than $2000. Can we do it??

Grace's Kitchen - Next date for our support to this Plainfield soup kitchen is March 29th. Parishioners are needed to help prepare & serve lunch to those in need. We start preparations at 10am & finish serving at 1pm. Please join us. Any questions or if you need a ride to Grace Church in Plainfield - contact Pam Maiolo or Fr. Jack.

FISH - Suggested donation for March is juice - bottles, boxes or cans. Please consider cranberry juice & low sugar products. Looking ahead - April's suggestion is paper products.

Thanks to all who contributed to our hat, mitten, gloves & scarves collection. We sent more than 50 items to the FISH clothing room.

St. Jude's Childrens' Ranch - 565 Holiday cards were collected and sent to St. Jude's. The cards will be refurbished by the children & staff at St. Jude's as part of their St. Jude's Recycled Card program. "New" cards may be purchased at www.stjudesranch.org

FISH Hospitality - Thanks to all who attended the annual concert to benefit this community homeless shelter. And our own Fr. Jack donated his time to be one of the many entertainers of the afternoon. Bravo!!

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. There is a collection box in the Narthex.

Eye glasses & hearing aids- The ongoing collection of these items continues. Adult, children's, sunglasses, prescription or non-prescription are collected and giving to the Lions Club for their Joy of Sight program. They recycle & refurbish glasses for those in need around the world.

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March is National…

· Kidney Month - www.kidney.org

· Nutrition Month - www.eatright.org/NNM

· Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month - www.ccalliance.org
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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

I try to read their expressions because they are children who already know how to behave appropriately and will sit there respectfully no matter how long I ramble. I find clues in their faces which clearly mean, "Mrs. Dalto, you've talked long enough." I also see reactions typical of children like, "They chopped off his head? Cool!" But there are also indications that their imaginations are in good working order, and they understand better than we might wish the suffering of the people of Haiti, or the suffering of Christ on the cross.

These are serious and difficult times in the world and in this season of Lent. There are so many in need that we find it challenging to decide who to help next with our Sunday School donations. In church our altar becomes stark and we talk about sins and nails and suffering.

Not long ago we learned that Jesus, at his mother's urging, turned water into wine so that people could celebrate a happy occasion, providing needed respite in troubled times. So, it's not only OK to do so, but even necessary.

In Sunday School we've taken a lesson from Mary, and while we talk of serious matters, we also have fun with a rainbow and sun, and lots of animals, and a kindly old man who built a boat to preserve life for better times.

Palm Sunday

One Palm Sunday, little Joey had a sore throat and had to stay home from church with a sitter. When the rest of the family came home, they were carrying palm branches. Joey asked what they were for. His father told him that people held them over Jesus' head when he walked by.

"Wouldn't you know it!" said Joey. "The one Sunday I miss, Jesus shows up!"

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March 2010

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

28 – 2^ndSunday of Lent

8 AM – Holy Eucharist

10 AM – Choral Eucharist w/Sunday School & Nursery

Noon – Book Group

7:30 PM – A.A. Meeting

7:30 PM – Choir

6:30 PM – Light supper and Lenten Program

7:30 PM – Country Line Dancing

7– 3^rd Sunday of Lent

8 AM – Holy Eucharist

10 AM – Choral Eucharist w/Sunday School & Nursery

Noon – Book Group

7:30 PM – A.A. Meeting

7:30 PM – Choir

6:30 PM – Light supper and Lenten Program

7:30 PM – Country Line Dancing

5:30 -7:30 PM –
St. Patrick’s Day Dinner

14 – 4^th Sunday of Lent

8 AM – Holy Eucharist

10 AM – Choral Eucharist w/Sunday School & Nursery

7 PM – Vestry Meeting

Noon – Book Group

7:30 PM – A.A. Meeting

7:30 PM – Choir

6:30 PM – Light supper and Lenten Program

7:30 PM – Country Line Dancing

21 – 5^th Sunday of Lent

8 AM – Holy Eucharist

10 AM – Choral Eucharist w/Sunday School & Nursery

Noon – Book Group

7:30 PM – A.A. Meeting

7:30 PM – Choir

6:30 PM – Light supper and Lenten Program s

7:30 PM – Country Line Dancing

28 – Palm Sunday

8 AM – Holy Eucharist & Distribution of Palms

9:45 AM – Choral Eucharist & Distribution of Palms, Sunday School & Nursery

Grace’s Kitchen

Noon – Book Group

7 PM – Evening Prayer

7:30 PM – A.A. Meeting

7:30 PM – Choir

1 – Maundy Thursday

7:30 PM – Holy Eucharist & Footwashing

2 – Good Friday

Noon – Stations of the Cross, St. Francis

Noon-3 PM – Ecumenical Service, Dunellen Presbyterian Church

7:30 PM – Good Friday Liturgy

3 – Holy Saturday

9 AM – Liturgy of the Word

8:00 PM – The Great Vigil of Easter

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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

Easter Day

Holy Eucharist 8:& 10:00 AM

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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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Book Group

Do we have a pattern emerging? We'd like to think that retirement automatically means joining the group, which meets each Wednesday at noon (one PM during Lent), for about an hour in Milbank Hall, with bag lunches. Completion of a book means it's time for lunch out at a restaurant. Unlike other groups, we discuss the books in increments, 50 or so pages a time. We are informal and like to laugh as much as possible. Any and all are welcome. Gentlemen, we do not limit ourselves to "chick lit" and we'd be interested in your perspective.

We are presently reading "Have a Little Faith" by Mitch Albom, author of "Tuesdays with Morrie". This is a book about two ordinary men who live by their extraordinary faith. We will follow this with John Steinbeck's "The Winter of our Discontent", about a man who compromises his better instincts.

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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Annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner

Our annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner will be held on Saturday, March 13^th, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Dinner will include corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, soda bread, and dessert. Beverages will be available. The cost this year is $12.50 for adults, $7.00 for children under 10. Please let Amy know how many people will be attending by signing the list on the table in the Narthex.

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Stewardship

Now that our Stewardship Pledge campaign has been successfully completed with 75% of our congregation participating, it is now time to think about other ways we can help St. Francis Church continue to Grow.

We Grow Together when we:

…make possible worship services and all the ministries of the church.

…provide for the maintenance and care of God’s house.

…spread the good news of God’s love and forgiveness.

…teach the principles and love of Christ to our youth.

…share fellowship and inspiration with all who attend.

Please take a moment to consider how you might be able to contribute to the Growing of St. Francis Church with your time and talents. Look over the Annual Report booklet to see what you might join or volunteer for. Do you have any good fund raising ideas? Would you be able to be an usher, greeter or lector? Would you like to chair a committee? There are so many ways that you can help, have fun and contribute. Please let Father Zamboni or a Vestry member know what time you might be able to contribute or what talents you might have to serve God in his Church.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Col 3:23-24)

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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

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St. Patrick’s Day

Dinner

Saturday, March 13, 2010

5:30-7:30 pm

Corned Beef & Cabbage,

Potatoes, Carrots,

Dessert

Adults $12.50 Children (under 10) $7

St. Francis Episcopal Church

400 New Market Rd, Dunellen, NJ

(732) 968-6781

…ST. FRANCIS’ EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Serving the Church During March

Sunday, March 7^th

OUTREACH

Saturday, March 13, 2010

St. Francis Episcopal Church

…ST. FRANCIS’ EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Serving the Church During March

Sunday, March 7th

OUTREACH

Saturday, March 13, 2010

St. Francis Episcopal Church

Sunday, March 7^th