…ST

So, how is your Christmas shopping coming along?

Christmas shopping? It is barely Advent yet!

This year it is not too early to be thinking about your Christmas shopping, especially regarding two specific programs. The first is our parish Christmas Outreach project: the "adoption" of a local (Piscataway) family. A Christmas tree with gift tags will be in the Narthex from Sunday, Nov. 29^th through Sunday, Dec. 13th. There will also be a donation box for monetary gifts to be used for a food basket & gift cards. Toys, games & clothing are needed to make this a merry Christmas for this family:

2yr old girl - size 3T 8yr old boy - size 10-12

10yr old girl – size 15 Jr. 12yr old girl - size 15-16 Jr.

Non-sized gifts for Mom (scarf, gloves, purse, toiletries) would also be appreciated.

If you have questions, please contact Pam Maiolo or Elaine Patania.

The other part of Christmas shopping is for your family and friends. How many toys do your children and grandchildren really need? Does dad or grandpa really need another tie? Still wondering what to get mom or grandma? Well, here are some suggestions.

Episcopal Relief and Development is offering their annual Gifts for Life program to assist people in third world countries.

Instead of more toys, why not get a mosquito net for only $12? For just $12 you can prevent the spread of malaria and possibly save the lives of three children. Can you buy anything better than that for $12?

Or for that someone very special on your shopping list, how about giving a goat for $80 or a duck or goose for $35? These gifts offer food as well as milk or eggs to eat or sell for an entire family. If you’re fond of birds, buy a share in a flock of chickens for just $25 per share.

There are also non-animal gifts: a share of a fruit tree for $35; postnatal care to safeguard against preventable illnesses is available for $50 per infant; or you can help sponsor a roving medical clinic for only $15 per person, which includes immunizations and medications that reach people wherever they live.

As we know, HIV-AIDS has devastated communities throughout Africa. For only $50 you can provide AIDS prevention education by a trained health worker to go to villages to provide life-saving information. Thousands of children have been orphaned by AIDS. For $80 you can provide education for a year for one of these children.

To further help children throughout Africa and Asia learn essential life skills, for a mere $15 per child you can provide food for young scholars. By establishing school canteens that serve two hot, nutritious meals per day, your gift ensures that children will be well fed, giving them the strength to learn and create a better future.

All of this is available from Episcopal Relief and Development, by phone at 1-800-334-7626, X 5129 or online at http://www.er-d.org/giftsforlife . Online you can shop by category or price limit. The colorful catalogue with these and other suggested gifts for Gifts for Life is on the resource table in the Narthex.

With each gift you will receive an attractive card you can personalize and send to your friends and loved ones. When ordering online, E-cards are also available to send any time. To assure delivery of your gift cards before Christmas, orders should be placed by Monday, December 7, 2009.

On Sunday, November 8^th, I preached about our baptismal call to seek freedom from our bondage to the consumer economy that so infects our lives. Giving gifts to ERD is one way we can all take a step towards that freedom – and, not incidentally, give a gift that could save a life or improve the quality of life for a child of God.

So, this Christmas I hope you will shop at ERD. Target, K-Mart, Best Buy and Home Depot will have plenty of customers without you. As a follower of Jesus, you can give something much more valuable to God – and, I suspect, to those on your Christmas list.

Blessings and happy shopping!

Jack+

(with grateful acknowledgment to the Rev. Lee Shaw who did the research on the varieties of Gifts for Life.)

P. S. Gifts to ERD are also tax deductible!

P. P. S. Because ERD works with local Anglican Communion partners throughout the world, it is one of the most cost-efficient charitable organizations around. 85% of every gift goes directly to programs; only 15% is spent on administration and fund-raising.

Happy Birthday to:

Rebeca Alcantara – 12/2

Clinton O’Sullivan – 12/2

Tyler Morris – 12/3

Leslie Oliver – 12.3

Kelsey Pelliccia – 12/6

David Dunham – 12/8

Bethany Hirsch – 12/9

Kashawn Geter – 12/9

Mae DeRogatis – 12/10

Kaitlyn Meyer – 12/10

Mark Torzewski – 12/11

Beth Rojewski – 12/13

Corilyn Dessino – 12/17

Robert Reid – 12/19

Mary Pfeiffer – 12/21

Pam Maiolo – 12/24

Dominique Sinckler – 12/24

Lauren Telesco – 12/24

Johnnie White – 12/25

Thomas Jackson – 12/26

Thomas D’Alessandro – 12/29

Timothy Tereman – 12/29

Angela Chernichowski – 12/31

Cecil Baker – 1/5

Christine Morris – 1/7

Percy Crowther – 1/12

Jason Pfeiffer – 1/12

Calvin King – 1/14

Jonathan Meyer – 1/14

Liana Boucek – 1/16

Norma Trimmer – 1/17

Anton Sinckler – 1/19

Patrick Ward – 1/26

Edith Peters – 1/27

Kaitlin Horton – 1/28

Catherine Pfeiffer – 2/1

Joanna Torzewski – 2/3

Matthew Toke – 2/5

Daryl DeRogatis – 2/9

Andrew Boucek – 2/11

Joshua Doesburgh – 2/14

Joy King – 2/16

Jack Zamboni – 2/16

Anthony DeRogatis – 2/21

Richard Trotman, Jr. – 2/21

Jarrel Cudjoe – 2/21

Tiffany Cudjoe – 2/22

Samuela Crowther – 2/26

Doris McElvery – 2/26

Anniversary of Baptism

Beth Chernichowski – 12/1

Sheila Connolly – 12/1

Maryann Doesburgh – 12/1

Brian Morris – 12/7

Nellie Reid – 12/10

Marc Manganaro – 12/16

Michael Connolly – 1/1

Francis Thomas – 1/1

Coral Brown – 1/5

Angela Chernichowski – 1/5

Susan D’Alessandro – 1/5

Briana DeCandia – 1/11

Mary Pfeiffer – 1/13

Bethany Hirsch – 1/30

Geri Peters – 2/13

Casey Torzewski – 2/13

Kashawn Geter – 2/16

Kaitlyn Meter – 2/16

Leslie Oliver – 2/??

Anniversary of Confirmation

Thomas D’Alessandro – 12/1

Richard Trotman – 12/3

Norma Tucker – 12/12

Allison York-Autin – 1/9

Nicholas Waskeil – 1/10

Mary Pfeiffer – 1/13

Kim Meyers – 2/1

Linda Ward Arico – 2/24

Althea Heirholzer – 2/27

Wedding Anniversaries

Benjamin & Lauren Avery – 1/5

Paul & Carline Sinckler – 2/2

Don & Cathy Hirsch – 2/6

Pete & Lauren Telesco – 2/16

James & Barbara Jaeger – 2/28

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Faithful People in Troubled Times

Sermon preached by the Rev. Dr. Francis H. Wade

For I am Sure Jazz Vespers

Romans 8: 31-39; Matthew 14:22-32

I am very grateful for the privilege and honor of this moment. Your bishop is a good friend of long standing and the opportunity to share personal and ministry time with him is a treat. Your diocese, believe it or not, is one of the better, brighter stories in our church. Your growing sense of well being is a healing story for the whole church as well as a story of your own healing.

It is also always a wonderful and powerful experience to be with faithful people in troubled times. I doubt that I will shock you by saying the times are difficult. Chaos has burst into our safest places. The economy is struggling, which makes competition for charitable dollars particularly difficult and often fierce. Our congregations and dioceses live or die on the results of that competition. The recent General Convention passed a budget with 12.5 million fewer dollars than the previous one. Almost every diocese in The Episcopal Church is shrinking in numbers and influence. The lack of interest in what we have to offer is spreading across our increasingly secular landscape. I know little about the details of life in your diocese but I would venture to guess that the mission numbing question of survival is creeping into the minds of vestries, councils and boards. As the singer reminds us, “The times they are a changing” and only a fool would try to say what they and we are changing into.

Yet in the midst of all, we gather to worship, the traditional exercise of the faithful. We listen to ancient words in modern settings that help us to place our modern concerns in the context of ancient truths. Together we hope, believe, trust and even rejoice because we can affirm the Easter-ness of life in the Good Friday-ness of the news. Being faithful in troubled times has been one of the consistent challenges of life and at the same time it remains one the consistent expectations of our God. Whatever else may be required of us as the current issues morph into an uncertain future, faithfulness is expected. The particular kind of faithfulness asked of us is made clearer in the lessons for this evening. Come with me and gather around these old stories and see what light and warmth they can give us.

One interesting way to gain insight into biblical texts is to use a mirror image to get a picture of what Archbishop Williams calls “the community in front of the text,” the people and circumstances for which the text was originally written. If the passage calls for people to be brave it is because they were afraid, if it calls for wisdom it is because they had decisions to make, if it assures them of protection from evil it is because they felt the threat of evil. We can see that the well known passage from Romans was written to a community of people who felt abandoned and isolated in the face of incredible pressures just as many of us do. Matthew has metaphors subbing for Paul’s particulars but it does not require a Jungian analyst to see the storms of life in the storm on the lake; to see the church in the battered boat with the wind against them.

And in each case the message is the same. “Nothing can separate us from the love of God.” Nothing. Not the insanity of psychiatrists, not unemployment in the midst of economic recovery, not cancer or divorce or even foolishness. In the midst of stormy chaos and windy chance Jesus says, “Take heart, it is I. Do not be afraid.” And in case we are not sure what to do with this assurance, Matthew tells us about Peter who would follow Jesus onto the water and into the storm. “Come” says Jesus. “Roger that” says Peter and sets out on an unthinkable journey in impossible circumstances. Note that with his eyes on Jesus he can do it. But when his attention is diverted to the fierceness of the storm and the question of survival inserts itself, he begins to sink. People seeking more clarity than that would not get it if they had Jesus on speed dial.

That about wraps it up: God is with us in this as in every storm and trouble. Except for one thing. One question. Why does God stick with us? Why would Jesus bother to come to us in the storm? A theology untroubled by either scripture or wisdom would say it is because God is love and we are lovable. Why wouldn’t a loving God stay with us? But you and I know there is more to it than that.

God is purposeful. God has a will. There are things God wants done, things God wants us to do. We trivialize the Gospel if we stop with God with us. Taking care of us is not God’s major concern. If that upsets you, I am delighted. If Christianity were a protection plan, the cross is a pretty poor logo.

God has purposes well beyond our well being.

Use the mirror image technique again. Look at what God has given us and see what it says about what God expects of us. We have this heritage, these scriptures, this Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the sacraments for strength, the Prayer Book for guidance, this diocese, the people around us and all who have gone before us for support. Why were they given to us? What might God expect of us that would satisfy God’s reasons for sticking with us? Think with me for a moment and then wonder with me.

If your diocese is like mine and every other one I know, you think of yourselves in terms of property centers. A map of your diocese shows the location of congregations. If that is what the Diocese of New Jersey is to God, a mass of properties, then the Annual Chicken Liver Festival to raise money to fix the roof is a cause for rejoicing in heaven.

· But suppose God’s map of New Jersey shows not property centers but power centers. Suppose God was behind Paul’s statement that the Kingdom of God is not about talk but power. Suppose God is expecting changed lives, spiritual discoveries and healing actions.

· Suppose God’s map of New Jersey has circled the centers of change, places where newness is being forged. We often resist change in the name of tradition, conveniently forgetting that our oldest tradition is change. Our story begins with God telling Abraham to go to a land he had never been to and leads up to the Holy Spirit’s promise to lead us into truths we have not known. Where are people being changed, where are institutions full of becoming, where are ideas reaching for lights in places that are still dark?

· Suppose God’s eye is on the risk centers in the diocese; the communities where modern disciples are stepping out into the wind on unthinkable journeys to impossible places.

· Suppose God is monitoring the deep centers where faithful people are pausing in the presence of mystery and holding the lamp of wonder up to their own and others faces.

Suppose God does not care a bit about the Diocese of New Jersey as we have it on our property centered maps but is pouring Gospel grace by the gallon on its power centers, its change centers, its risk centers and its deep centers. Suppose we must let go of the church we hold so tightly before we can feel the arms of God who is holding us even tighter. Suppose we need to get out of the battered boat before we can walk on the water. Suppose what tonight’s lessons are telling us about being faithful in troubled times is not limited to what God will do but includes what we must do.

Feeling pressure? Isolated? Wind in our face? Hear the promise “Nothing can separate us from the love of God”? Hear the voice, “Take heart. It is I. Do not be afraid”? Consider the implications. Maybe what God is promising to hold on to is not what we are trying to hold on to. Maybe taking heart means taking power and change, risk and depth so that we will not be afraid. Being faithful in troubled times is not for the faint-hearted. Maybe that is why God holds us together as a Church.

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OUTREACH

Does the person who has "everything" really need another (you fill in the blank)????? This holiday season is the perfect time to honor a loved one, relative or friend with a gift to your favorite charitable organization. One of our parishioners makes this an annual "family giving" event. Another recently gave to a local charity in honor of the care received from the staff during a hospital stay. Remember it's more blessed to give than to receive. Think of what wondrous things a donation to your favorite charity can accomplish. Less for Santa to carry - less for you to shop.

Some suggestions: • Episcopal Relief & Development "Gifts for Life" • Grace's Kitchen • Elijah's Promise • FISH Hospitality

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Christmas outreach this year will be the "adoption" of a local (Piscataway) family. A Christmas tree with gift tags will be in the Narthex from Sunday, Nov.29th through Sunday, Dec. 13th. There will also be a donation box for monetary gifts to be used for a food basket & gift cards.

Toys, games & clothing are needed to make this a merry & blessed Christmas for this family.

Non-sized gifts for Mom (scarf, gloves, purse, toiletries, etc.) would also be appreciated.

Any questions? Please contact Pam Maiolo or Elaine Patania

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FISH - new mittens, hats, gloves & scarves will be collected during the Advent season. Please place your donations in the designated box in the Narthex. Children's & adult items will help those in need during the predicted cold weather season.

· Suggested food donations - December - Your choice (please watch expiration dates); January - Pasta & sauce (jarred or canned); February - Baby food, baby cereal & diapers; March - Juice (cranberry or low sugar).

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Grace's Kitchen - Additional volunteers are needed from St. Francis to support this community "soup kitchen". We begin preparing meals at 10 am and begin serving at 11:30am. The program ends at 1pm. Volunteers are welcome all or part of the time. If you are interested and are in need of a ride to Grace's Kitchen, please contact Pam Maiolo or Fr. Jack.

Upcoming volunteer dates - Nov. 30; Dec. 28; (no Jan. or Feb) & March 29 2010.

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Eyeglasses & hearing aids - ongoing collection bucket in the Narthex. Children & Adult glasses. Prescription or not. We pass these donations onto the local Lions Club.

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Coupon Collection - in cooperation with the NJ Council of Churches, we will begin collecting coupons to be passed on to local food banks in the area. Primary needs are coupons for the following - cereal, baby items, paper goods, cleaning supplies & "miscellaneous". Coupons will be sent to the Trenton office of the NJCC twice per month. Please consider expiration dates when clipping.

Double Bracket: December is National Drunk & Drugged Driving" (3D) Prevention Month. Be safe during the holidays. Don't drink and drive. You are endangering not only yourself but others on the road and in your vehicle as well.

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Important websites

www.stfrancisdunellen.org

www.er-d.org

www.freerice.com

www.samaritanspurse.org

www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu (flu updates)

www.worldchurchservice.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

The last Sundays in November and those in December preceding Christmas are especially busy in our Sunday School. We began our "peace theme" this year incorporating words for peace in several languages in the designs on our Christmas cards for seamen, for which we received an acknowledgment from the Seamen's Church Institute.

We continued our theme as we made our donations each Sunday to be used to provide care packages for those serving in harm’s way. We talked about those in the service far away and those who police our country here at home whose most important task is to bring and keep peace.

We've talked about St. Francis’ prayer asking God to make him an instrument of peace and about ways we ourselves can be peacekeepers.

Our crafts include our peace bulletin board in Milbank Hall to which all ages have contributed, and doves to decorate our Sunday School Christmas tree, for which we have Ed Myzie to thank.
We adorn the Jesse Tree with symbols of gospel and Old Testament stories leading to the birth of Jesus and light Advent candles on our Sunday School altar.

Our young people are good listeners and make meaningful contributions to our discussions. Come and sit in or pitch in. All are welcome to visit our Sunday School rooms at any time.

For information on anything related to Sunday School, call Mary Pfeiffer (732) 926-8693 for ages 3 to 5, or Barbara Dalto (732) 563-2243 for ages 6 and up.

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Music Lessons Given

Dr. Robert Thomas, former organist & music director at St. Francis’, is taking music students for instruction in piano, music tech. (notation, sequencing, sampling, etc.), composition, ear training/sight singing, theory, and history. Information can be had at http://retmusic.com/lessons.html, and he can be reached by email at lessons@retmusic.com or by phone at 732/650-1471.

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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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Nominating Committee Seeks Nominations for Parish offices

According to St. Francis’ Bylaws, the Nominating Committee for 2010 consists of the vestry members whose terms are coming to an end. For 2010 those are Waring Webb (currently Junior Warden), Alan Benjamin, Mary Pfeiffer and Carroll Wilson. They are seeking nominees to fill parish offices for election at the Annual Parish Meeting, which will be held on Sunday, January 24^th, 2010.

Nominations are being sought for the following offices and a member of the Nominating Committee may well ask you to consider serving! A brief description of each of office follows:

1 Jr. Warden (2 year term)

Along with the Senior Warden, the Junior Warden serves as a senior lay official of the parish. The Wardens act as a council of advice to the Vicar on matters of parish life and ministry, and may call and lead Vestry meetings in the Vicar’s absence when necessary. In some Episcopal parishes, including St. Francis, the Junior Warden has traditionally been responsible for overseeing buildings and grounds issues. However, that is not a canonical requirement of the office.

3 Vestry members (3 year Term)

The Vestry, made up of 9 Vestry members, the two Wardens and the Vicar, who is the Chair, serves as the board of trustees of the congregation. The Vestry is the body that, according to state and canon law, has legal responsibility for financial and physical affairs of the parish. While the canons give final authority over some matters of parish life to the Vicar alone (for instance, worship and education), the Vestry serves an important role of shared leadership with the Vicar for the overall life and ministry of the parish. Vestry members often take responsibility for or assist in one area of the parish’s operations. Vestry members show leadership by example and participation in the worship and ongoing life of the parish, and in their stewardship of time, talent, and treasure. Communication is another important function of the Vestry.

3 Delegates and 3 Alternates to Diocesan Convention (1 year term)

Three Delegates along with clergy from each congregation attend the Annual Convention of the Diocese of New Jersey every year (Alternates replace Delegates if they are unable to attend.) At Convention, Delegates vote in elections for offices such as Diocesan Council and Standing Committee (which, between them, exercise responsibilities for the Diocese similar to those of a Vestry in a congregation); Deputies to the General Convention of the Episcopal Church; Treasurer of the Diocese, and other offices. Convention also approves the diocesan Budget and votes on resolutions about the life and ministry of our Diocese. To prepare for the business of Convention, Delegates and Alternates are encouraged to read reports made available in advance of Convention on-line, and to attend one of several pre-Convention meetings held in different regions of the Diocese.

Convention is also a time to share fellowship with others from around the Diocese of New Jersey, visit exhibit booths and to hear speakers from the wider Church. In 2010, the honored guest and keynote speaker will be the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. Convention will be held Friday-Saturday, March 5-6, 2010, in Cherry Hill.

6 Delegates to Watchung Convocation (1 year term)

The Diocese of New Jersey is sub-divided into eight geographical Convocations. St. Francis’ belongs to the Watchung Convocation, made up of congregations in southern Hunterdon County, northern Somerset County and western portions of Middlesex and Union Counties. Clergy and delegates gather for a Sunday afternoon or evening meeting once each Spring and Fall at a date and place TBA.

Convocation delegates elect a Dean for the Convocation (currently, the Dean of Watchung Convocation is the Very Rev. Ron Pollack, Rector of St. John’s, Somerville); as well as one clergy and lay member of the diocesan Nominating Committee and the Board of Missions (Norma Tucker of St. Francis’ is currently the lay representative from the Watchung Convocation to the Board of Missions). Convocation meetings are also an occasion to make connections with the wider Church of which we are part. Bishop Councell usually attends the fall meeting of each Convocation.

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Book Group

The group began Glenn Beck's "The Christmas Sweater" on December 2 and will complete it by December 16.

Upcoming books are "Olive Kitteridge" by Elizabeth Strout, "Have a Little Faith" by Mitch Albom, and "The Winter of Our Discontent" by John Steinbeck.

We meet on Wednesdays at noon for about one hour, to discuss 50 or so pages at a time. Some bring bag lunches. We don't all enjoy all we read, but we always relax, laugh, learn, and share our life experiences. We often celebrate the completion of a book with lunch out. Join us for the fellowship and fun.

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Craft Group

Our group met four times this year and accomplished much. We will begin to offer our items crafted from dishtowels and our chocolate treats on Sunday, December 6 in the narthex, and will offer them again on December 13 and 20.

We hope you purchase and enjoy the products of our fellowship and fun.

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Women’s Annual Christmas Party – Tuesday evening, Dec. 8^th, from 6:30 PM until we finish! Bring a dish to share with the rest of us – main dish, veggies, chips & dip (sign-up sheet on the Narthex table), and a voluntary gift of $15 or less to exchange with others.

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Christmas Eve Service Schedule

Family Mass 4:30 PM

Carols by Candlelight 10:30 PM

Midnight Mass 11:00 PM

ALL ARE WELCOME!!

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December 2009
Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
*29- 1^st Sunday of Advent* 8 AM – Holy Eucharist 10 AM – Choral Eucharist w/Sunday School & Nursery	30	1	2 Noon – Book Group 1 PM - Crafters 7:30 PM – A.A. Meeting 7:30 PM – Choir	3	4 7:30 PM – Country Line Dancing	5
6- 2^nd Sunday of Advent 8 AM – Holy Eucharist 10 AM – Choral Eucharist w/Sunday School & Nursery	7	8 6:30 PM - Women’s Christmas Party	9 Noon – Book Group 1 PM - Crafters 7:30 PM – A.A. Meeting 7:30 PM – Choir	10	11 7:30 PM – Country Line Dancing	12
13- 3^rd Sunday of Advent 8 AM – Holy Eucharist 10 AM – Choral Eucharist w/Sunday School & Nursery	14	15	16 Noon – Book Group 1 PM - Crafters 7:30 PM – A.A. Meeting 7:30 PM – Choir	17	18 7:30 PM – Country Line Dancing	19
20 – 4^th Sunday of Advent Greening of The Church 8 AM – Holy Eucharist 10 AM – Choral Eucharist w/Sunday School & Nursery	21	22 7 PM – Vestry Meeting	23 7:30 PM – A.A. Meeting 7:30 PM – Choir	24 – Christmas Eve 4:30 - Family Service 10:30 - Christmas Music 11:00 - Midnight Mass	25 CHRISTMAS DAY NO SERVICES HELD	26
27 8 AM – Holy Eucharist 10 AM – Choral Eucharist w/Sunday School & Nursery	28 Grace’s Kitchen	29	30 7:30 PM – A.A. Meeting	31- New Years Eve	*1 – New Years Day* *2010*	2

January 2010

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

8 AM – Holy Eucharist

10 AM – Choral Eucharist w/Sunday School & Nursery

Grace’s Kitchen

7:30 PM – A.A. Meeting

31- New Years Eve

1 – New Years Day

2010

8 AM – Holy Eucharist

10 AM – Choral Eucharist w/Sunday School & Nursery

6:30 PM - Women’s Christmas Party

Noon – Book Group

7:30 PM – A.A. Meeting

7:30 PM – Choir

7:30 PM – Country Line Dancing

8 AM – Holy Eucharist

10 AM – Choral Eucharist w/Sunday School & Nursery

ANNUAL REPORT SUBMISSION DEADLINE

7 PM – Vestry Meeting

Noon – Book Group

7:30 PM – A.A. Meeting

7:30 PM – Choir

7:30 PM – Country Line Dancing

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

4:30 - Family Service

10:30 - Christmas Music

11 - Midnight Mass

24 – Annual Meeting

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

February 2010
Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
31 8 AM – Holy Eucharist 10 AM – Choral Eucharist w/Sunday School & Nursery	1	2	3 Noon – Book Group 7:30 PM – A.A. Meeting 7:30 PM – Choir	4	5 7:30 PM – Country Line Dancing	6
7 8 AM – Holy Eucharist 10 AM – Choral Eucharist w/Sunday School & Nursery	8	9 6:30 PM - Women’s Christmas Party	10 Noon – Book Group 1 PM - Crafters 7:30 PM – A.A. Meeting 7:30 PM – Choir	11	12 7:30 PM – Country Line Dancing	13
14 8 AM – Holy Eucharist 10 AM – Choral Eucharist w/Sunday School & Nursery	15	16	17- Ash Wednesday Noon – Book Group 7:30 PM - Service	18	19 7:30 PM – Country Line Dancing	20
21 – 1^st Sunday of Lent 8 AM – Holy Eucharist 10 AM – Choral Eucharist w/Sunday School & Nursery	22	23 7 PM – Vestry Meeting	24 Noon – Book Group 7:30 PM – A.A. Meeting 7:30 PM – Choir	25 4:30 - Family Service 10:30 - Christmas Music 11 - Midnight Mass	26 7:30 PM – Country Line Dancing	27
28 – 2^nd Sunday of Lent 8 AM – Holy Eucharist 10 AM – Choral Eucharist w/Sunday School & Nursery	1	2	3 Noon – Book Group 7:30 PM – A.A. Meeting 7:30 PM – Choir	4	5 7:30 PM – Country Line Dancing	6

“Come now...

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turn aside for a while from your daily employment, escape for the moment from the tumult of thoughts... Enter into the inner chamber of your soul, shut out everything except God and that which can help you in seeking him, and when you shut the door, seek him.” - St. Anselm

Saturday, December 12, 2009 ~ 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Church of the Holy Spirit, 3 Haytown Road, Lebanon, NJ

There will be three reflections during the day with periods of discernment after each of the presentations. Opportunities for contemplative and spiritual exercises will be available between the reflections. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Great silence will be kept throughout the day with a reader provided during the luncheon to help us to maintain the silence (Reading from the book "Fingerprints of God"). The theme of the day is: "Waiting for God." The Quiet Day will begin with a Eucharist celebrated by Father Harry Mazujian, Dean of the convocation. Father John Rollins, a retired Priest of the Diocese of Newark will present the first reflection on "What are we waiting for?" The Archdeacon of Central Pennsylvania, The Venerable Canon Andrew M. France, Jr. will present a reflection on "Why do we wait?" And, the last reflection, "How do we wait?" will be presented by Jim Keller, a member of the congregation of the Church of the Holy Spirit. At the end of the Quiet Day all participants will have the opportunity of joining together to share the experience of their spiritual journey during the day. Cost (including breakfast and lunch) is $20.00. Reservations are required and should be sent to: Jim Keller, 41 Hillside Court, Clinton, New Jersey 08809, together with a check in the amount of $20.00, payable to the order of "The Church of the Holy Spirit." We look forward to sharing a time of peace and quiet with our friends in the Diocese.

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UPCOMING DIOCESAN EVENTS

DECEMBER 9 (for everyone, especially those in youth ministry)

Youth Ministry Adult Workshop: The Art of Play Speaker: Marilyn Werst, Artist and long-time youth worker, Louisville, Kentucky

Do you need new ideas for games with your youth? Do you wish that your games could be both fun and more theologically relevant? Come and discover a way of playing that brings spirituality and community to the forefront of the experience. Join us for a fun night full of lots of ideas you can bring back to your youth or student group!

When	Wednesday, December 9 from 6:30pm to 9pm
Cost	None, dinner provided
Where	Diocesan House
t	808 West State Street
t	Trenton, New Jersey 08618
t	609 394-5281
Deadline	Register by Monday, December 7
Register	Online at newjerseyyouth.org or send email to dclarke@newjersey.anglican.org. Or fax registration form to 609 394-9546, mail form, or phone the Reverend Debi Clarke, Deacon, 609 394-5281, ext. 37.
Contact	The Reverend Debi Clarke, Deacon, 609 394-5281, ext. 37 or dclarke@newjersey.anglican.org

Marilyn Werst is a seasoned and dynamic youth ministry veteran with expertise in teaching and leading both fun and purpose-filled games with teenagers.

DECEMBER 10 (for clergy)

Advent Clergy Day: The Gospels Come to Church Leader: The Reverend Dr. Gordon W. Lathrop, Professor of Liturgy Emeritus, The Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

What does the New Testament and especially its four Gospel books say about Christian liturgy? New Testament studies are looking at this question again with surprising results. And what happens when the Gospels are read in the liturgical assembly? This has long been a question of interest to liturgical studies, but it can be approached again with fresh insight. This program will consider the Gospels and Christian liturgy from both points of view. Sponsored by the Clergy Day Planning Committee.

When	Thursday, December 10, coffee at 9:30am, program 10am to 3pm
Cost	None, lunch provided
Where	Trinity Cathedral
t	801 West State Street
t	Trenton, New Jersey 08016
t	609 392-3805
Deadline	Register by Monday, November 30
Register	Online here or email calvarez@newjersey.anglican.org. Or fax registration form to 609 394-9546, mail form, or phone Cecilia Alvarez, 609 394-5281, ext. 22
Contact	The Reverend Dr. Gina Walsh-Minor, 732 471-0990 or gwalshminor@comcast.net

Gordon W. Lathrop is Professor of Liturgy Emeritus at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In the last three years, he has also been Visiting Professor of Liturgical Studies in Yale Divinity School. A pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, he is the author several books, including Holy Things: A Liturgical Theology (Fortress 1993), Holy People: A Liturgical Ecclesiology (Fortress 1999), Holy Ground: A Liturgical Cosmology (Fortress 2003), The Pastor: A Spirituality (Fortress 2006), and, with Lorraine S. Brugh, The Sunday Assembly (Augsburg Fortress 2008). He was a participant in the preparation of the North American liturgical resource, Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006). He has lectured widely and participated in the work of the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches and the Worship and Culture Study of the Lutheran World Federation. He is an Editorial Consultant of the journal Worship.

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FUNDRAISING NEWS:

Pictorial Directory - The directory is finally in print and should be here before Christmas. I apologized for getting the directory done so late, but it is finally printed, and will be here soon!

Wreaths - Wreaths have arrived, and thank you to all who placed orders.

Coupon Book - We made $250.00 on the coupon books. Thank you for your orders.

Cash for Gold Party - Our Cash for Gold Party is scheduled for Sunday, December 13th at 12pm in Milbank Hall. This is opened to the public, not just members of St. Francis.

Gold Partying.com will pay you cash for real precious metals! This includes gold, silver and platinum ONLY. For obvious reasons, we cannot accept any costume jewelry or gold-plated items. Below is a sample listing of some of the items we will accept.

Gold Partying will help you and all of your friends turn their Gold into CASH. Our business is entirely licensed, and we are both bonded and insured. We will attend your party, and exchange your old gold for the MOST CASH.