Saints Alive! All Saints Episcopal Church. From Our Priest-In-Charge. Welcoming the Stranger

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1 Saints Alive! All Saints Episcopal Church 121 North Main Street, Attleboro, MA June/July 2014 Mission Statement We are one with the Spirit, We are one with the Lord, We are a renewed community of Faith A nurturing family called to share the Lord s message of Love, Compassion, and Peace All Saints Leadership Co-Wardens Marian Cote & Lyn Darling Clerk Martha Lingard Treasurer Evelyn Sanford Vestry Members Judy Little Richard DeCusati Barbara Boynton Table of Contents From Our Priest-in-Charge 1 Co-Wardens Report 2 One Family Event 3 Prayer List 3 Sound System 4 June, July, August Birthdays 4 Coffee Hour Supplies 4 Random Prayers 5 Christian Education 5 Welcome to Paul Duquette 6 Parish Cookout 6 Book/Reading Group 7 Contact Information 7 Vestry Minutes 8 Honoring Bishop Tom 10 Ministry Opportunities 11 Calendars 12 1 From Our Priest-In-Charge Welcoming the Stranger For our All Saints community; that we may receive with joy and welcome those whom God brings through these doors. My Sisters and Brothers, Over the past 12 months, All Saints has participated in the Hartford Institute s workshops with various smaller parishes throughout the diocese. Our All Saints team was comprised of myself, Judy Little, and Dana Wilson (thank you, Judy and Dana, for your participation!). All Saints was in the Hospitality, Welcoming, and Public Relations working group. Over the course of 4 day-long Saturday sessions, we learned a lot about different ways of offering hospitality and welcome to our neighbors, and also how to get the word out about All Saints. While there s still much work to be done, here s some of what we accomplished in part because of our participation in the Hartford project. In the virtual world, the website redesign has been completed, our Facebook page has become much more active, we ve used Facebook as a marketing tool for our fairs, and we ve established a Shutterfly photo sharing account to which people can post all the great pictures they re taking. In the real world, we ve made much-needed improvements to our worship bulletin (it s hard for visitors who might be unfamiliar with the Episcopal liturgy to juggle so many books and pieces of paper), and we re in the process of updating our bulletin boards around the parish. Hospitality isn t only mechanical tweaks and fixes. It s also a disposition of welcome, openness, and delight in receiving new people with all our diverse human particularities. Jesus traveled all the time showing that strangers are friends, and welcoming them into God s community of love, joy, and forgiveness. In this spirit of Christian hospitality we ve begun praying for our All Saints community in the weekly prayers of the people that we may receive with joy and welcome those whom God brings through these doors. continued on page 2

2 continued from page 1 God is bringing many wonderful people into the All Saints community. Let us celebrate with joy and welcome those whom God has already brought through these beautiful red doors and those who are yet to come. In peace and all blessings for an enjoyable summer, Meghan+ Co-Wardens Report Summer beckons and though we all hope to relax a bit, there is still much to be done here at All Saints. We have just heard that we have been granted $6,200 of the $10,000 requested for the Green Grant. We are very pleased but do have some prioritizing to do before we begin our projects. We recently met with Rev. Meghan and Rev. Billie to discuss the continued program of pastoral care mission. Rev. Billie has been with us for two years as of June 30th in a variety of positions - first as our Sacramentalist and then, with the ordination of Rev. Meghan, as our Pastoral Associate. Rev. Billie s position continues to evolve and while she has helped us maintain contact with parishioners at home, the need for her presence at services has diminished. The Vestry has decided to again seek a change in Rev. Billie s role. We will extend her current contract through July 31st to cover Rev. Meghan s vacation. As of August 1st, Rev. Billie will be contracted for 8 hours per month to cover the Church s pastoral care needs. We hope that this new model will give us all the flexibility we need to provide for all our parishioners. As for our sound system, well we have all heard the snap, crackles and pops for a while, the loud boom a few weeks ago prompted a parishioner to offer a matching grant up to $1,000, which means whatever money is donated will be matched up to $1,000!! Please donate whatever you can afford change, dollars, etc. so that we can utilize this generous donation! We will gather all donations through June 22nd. Don t forget the Parish Picnic on Sunday, June 22nd immediately after church. Bring chairs if you can, towels, bathing suits, a beverage and a side dish or dessert. Hoping to see you there! Marian & Lyn Rev. Meghan is on vacation from Sunday afternoon, July 6th through Thursday, July 31st. During Rev. Meghan s time away, Rev. Billie is providing coverage. 2

3 We re excited! One Family is now a once a month event, and we re anticipating a greater need for supplies for the gift bags. You can help us keep the bags full! Below is a list of items needed for the June 28th, July 26th and August 23rd One Family mornings: Toilet paper- 4 roll packages would be great Paper Towels- 2 packs are awesome but any amount per pack works well 50 oz. Laundry detergent Bar soaps - 3 packs work well Toothpaste - 6 oz. Dish Liquid - 13/14 oz. Disinfectant wipes- or packages of baby safe wipes are a big hit Upcoming One Family Events Saturdays, June 28th, July 26th, and August 23rd 9AM 11AM in the Undercroft We hope you ll join us! Please circulate this list with family and friends, explain the need, and enlist their aid. Also, remember that we are compiling a list of things we need for the breakfast and will be asking you for help to feed our guests. Thanks so much for all you do. Ron In your prayers, please remember: Sullivan Family, Ellen & Bill, Charles, Jr. & Richard, Brian & Cathi, Cindy, Judith, Alec, Phillip, Terry, the Juaire family, Norma & Bill, Jim, Aaron, Bishop Tom, Bishop Gayle, Matthew, Pat & Tom, Amber & Mary, Peter, Jane, Phillip Lyons, Jane-Ann & Lisa, Carol, Madeline, Debbie, Billy, Ruth, Marion, Bob, Norma, Mary, Gail, Frieda, Martha & Kevin, Catherine, Nellie, the Holbert family, Robert, Deborah, Amanda, Anne, Richard, Robert, Georgette, Gail, Joshua, Beverly, Anne & her family, Tom & Diane, Carla, Leslie, Erik, Matthew, Andrew, Thomas, Natalie, Irene, Wilma, Candy, Wayne, Maura, Barbara E., and Anonymous. We also remember and pray for all our men and women in the military and for those who strive for justice and peace throughout the world. If you would like to add someone to the Prayer List, please contact the Church Office at or secretaryallsaints@gmail.com. 3

4 Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Sound System Upgrade and Matching Grant Campaign As has been noticed, sometimes our sound system behaves rather rudely. The time is now to do something about this Snap! Crackle! Pop! All Saints applied for and was fortunate to be awarded a grant from the diocesan Bristol Case Fund to make sound system improvements. But we do need a bit more funding to make the needed upgrades. A generous parishioner has offered to match up to $1,000 of donations toward this improvement effort. Please make checks payable to All Saints and in the memo line put Sound System. We will have a special ingathering of donations on June 22nd. The parish appreciates your generosity. 6/3 Audrey Kull 6/7 Ben Akers 6/8 Sylvia DeRiso 6/26 Kathy Doller 7/9 - Philip Paquin 7/19 Roberta Todd 7/25 Judy Little 7/26 Trevor Pettengill 7/28 The Rev. Dwight Fortune 7/28 Marilyn Butler 7/30 Henry Desautel 8/2 Abby Whittingham 8/2 Alex Whittingham 8/6 Christina Beeton 8/18 William Bowles 8/23 Evelyn Sanford Needed for Coffee Hour: Dunkin Donuts decaf coffee 1 gallon Ziploc bags 1 quart Ziploc bags Splenda packets Small dessert plates Contact Yvonne with questions. 4

5 RANDOM PRAYERS Incredible Creator, what a wonderful gift to find a tiny, exquisite frog swimming in the pool And experience the graceful swoop of a hungry, hunting hawk Christian Education Our Nursery will close on Father's Day for the summer. Sunday School and Nursery care resume in September. Marian Cote Sunday School Coordinator And see a big, antlered buck followed by two does stroll slowly across the road Thank you for my irises finally blooming. They are beautiful. How many years did this take? Sure would be nice to have the gift of a green thumb...see below We re made in your image. God, do you have thumbs?,,, Help us not to judge others. To recognize that people are different and that s ok Give me an adventurous spirit and let me live without fear Help me to be kind today. To give only goodness, to share love, to care, to be the person you mean me to be FUEL FUND Please contribute! There is a large plastic water bottle on the table as you enter the Sanctuary from Parish Hall. The heating season is over but we have a balance to pay on our monthly budget statement from Columbia Gas. All Saints' Episcopal Church is a community of people who strive with joy and gratitude to love and serve God and each other within the parish, the larger Attleboro community, and the world. We are a down-to-earth, spiritually-grounded, and prayer-filled community diverse in age, income, ability, family structure, sexuality, and educational and work background. God loves you. Come and see. 5

6 Tickling the Ivories Welcome to Mr. Paul Duquette We at All Saints are very pleased and fortunate to welcome Mr. Paul Duquette as our new keyboardist. Paul began with us on a trial basis during Holy Week when his musical ability, agility, and sensitivity quickly became, apparent, and he has since been hired as our regular keyboardist. Paul is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music, Boston. Currently he teaches at Bedrossian Music, Warwick, RI, plays in a wedding and nightclub band called Downcity Band, plays solo piano for cocktail and private parties, and plays the 8AM Sunday Mass at St. Paul Roman Catholic Church, Cranston, RI. He started playing piano when he was 10 years old shortly after his father died, and he is grateful that his mother gave him piano lessons to channel his energies. Paul is married to Bridgett Duquette and they have 3 children: Marissa, 17, Sarah, 15, and Paul Jr., 10. If you have not yet said hello to and welcomed Paul, please do so. Do You Need a Nametag? Please contact Robin in the Church Office at or via at secretaryallsaints@gmail.com PARISH COOKOUT & POOL PARTY!!! SUNDAY, JUNE 22ND AFTER CHURCH AT THE HOME OF LYN & BILL DARLING BRING A BEVERAGE, A SIDE DISH OR DESSERT, A CHAIR, SWIMSUIT & TOWELS 6

7 BOOK GROUP It s time to get together for another Book/Reading Group. And what better time for a good read than summer! The Artisan Soul, Crafting Your Life into a Work of Art by Erwin Raphael McManus is eye and soul-opening, but it s an easy read, perfect for hot summer days. Mr. McManus writes Creativity should be an everyday experience. but he isn t suggesting that painting, drawing, music, dance or sculpture are the only arts: God is a creator and we are works of art. We are creators, and we can make our lives and our legacies works of art. His narrative can be thought provoking, surprising, and deeply spiritual. This book has seven chapters. The final section of the book is a list of practices, organized chapter by chapter designed to guide the reader in this creative process. We ll discuss a chapter a week, beginning on Sunday, August 3rd with Chapter 1. Join us for seven Sundays - August 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st, September 7th and 14th, following Morning to discuss, explore, share and experience this intriguing look at how to find our inner artist. Rev. Meghan will facilitate most of these gatherings. If you would like to purchase this hardcover book locally, Ugly Dog Books at 75 Union Street in Attleboro will order the book for you. Please allow 3-5 days for the book to arrive. The store s owner offers a 15% discount off the retail price to book club members; be sure to tell her you are reading this book with the Book Club at All Saints Episcopal. The retail price of the book is $ The book is also available online at Barnes and Noble and Amazon for under $ It is available in Kindle and Nook editions. Wherever you shop, be sure to purchase your copy in time to read Chapter 1 for our first meeting on Sunday, August 3rd. Contact Rev. Meghan by Sunday, July 6th if you wish to request a book scholarship. IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION Priest- in-charge: The Rev. Meghan Sweeney (857) cell meghantsweeney@gmail.com Pastoral Associate: The Rev. Billie Mae Gordon (617) cell (508) home Biliegordon@verizon.net Deacon: The Rev. Ron Tibbetts (774) cell (508) home rontibbetts@yahoo.com Co-Wardens: Lyn Darling (508) l.darling@comcast.net Marian Cote (508) mar2cole@yahoo.com Secretary: Robin Miller (508) New Address! secretaryallsaints@gmail.com 7

8 All Saints Episcopal Church Vestry Meeting Minutes April 10, 2014 Present: Rev. Meghan Sweeney, Rev. Ron Tibbetts, Barbara Boynton, Marian Coté, Lyn Darling, Richard DeCusati, Judy Little, Martha Lingard, Evelyn Sanford. The meeting began at 7:00 with opening prayer led by Rev. Meghan. Minutes: Barbara moved and Evelyn 2nd to accept the minutes of the March 18, 2014 meeting. The motion carried. Financial Reports: Evelyn distributed and reviewed the Treasurer s Report, Profit and Loss statement for March, the 2014 Budget and the Monthly Review report. Evelyn pointed out that the Profit and Loss Statement has a new category to reflect income transfers in and out and the budget has a new category for nonbudgeted income. Evelyn noted that the Monthly Comparison report reflects a positive balance of $2,249 compared to a negative balance of $16,579 at the same time last year. Lyn moved to accept the Treasurer s reports as presented. Barbara 2 nd and the motion carried. Evelyn also distributed and reviewed the One Family Treasurer s Report. Lyn moved to accept the report as presented and Judy 2 nd. The motion carried. The Finance Committee presented a report of the hours Jack shoveled this past winter, noting that many of these hours were not included in his salary. Lyn moved to give Jack a bonus check in the amount of $ to recognize his conscientiousness and efficiency for keeping the property snow free. Judy 2nd the motion and it passed unanimously. Building and Facilities: The Champion Youth Program was scheduled to start on Monday but due to a staff emergency, the program will not begin until next week. Lyn will provide a key to the staff at that time. Marian did purchase and install gates at the top of the spiral staircase. Judy has been communicating with Michael Smith regarding the Scouts landscaping project. They are scheduled to begin the Monday after Easter and will be planting flowers, trimming shrubs and tidying up the property. A parishioner has brought to our attention that a large puddle forms at the top of steps at the side door each time it rains. Possible solutions will be explored. The Bristol Case Grant has provided $ towards improvements of our sound system. A parishioner has donated $ and we will try to raise the additional $ to complete the improvements, including new wiring, some new speakers and any other necessary items. Old and New Business: Evelyn reviewed the plan for the spring fair. She is working on obtaining vendors but has been unable to arrange for a children s program. In addition to the usual activities, flowers will be purchased from Fine Farms to sell. 8

9 Lyn presented a draft of the revised By-Laws written by the committee, consisting of Lyn, Evelyn & Martha. She explained that the Parish By-Laws written in 1996 were reviewed alongside the Diocesan recommended By-Laws. The vestry members were asked to review the Draft in preparation for discussion and vote at the May Vestry meeting. Following Vestry approval, the By-Laws will be presented to the parish for approval, and then to the Diocese. Marian has communicated with Kevin from the Boy Scouts regarding the parking challenge on Thursday evenings. The Scouts have agreed to park behind the lawyer s office and if this does not provide ample parking for the, they will park at the courthouse. The cookout with Boy Scouts tentatively planned for June 1 st could conflict with the Church of God, so the Scouts have offered to cook breakfast for the parish on June 1 st. They will join us in church and we will continue the celebration of the 50 th anniversary of the All Saints charter of the Scouts with cake at coffee hour. Rev. Meghan announced that the Darling s have offered to have the Parish Picnic at their home on June 22 nd. Rev. Meghan contacted Avery Piano for a recommendation for a permanent piano player for services. Names were provided and interviews will be conducted. Rev. Meghan announced that the Congregational Development Grant is due May 15 th. She suggested a trip or other activity for teens at the end of the next school year and asked for other ideas to be submitted to her by May 5 th. The Diocese has designated April 9, 2014 to June 21, 2014 as a Season of Service and Celebration for Bishop Shaw, and each parish has been asked to dedicate one event to the Bishop. Rev. Ron suggested the May One Family event as an option for the whole Deanery. This will be proposed at the next Deanery meeting. Rev. Ron announced the next One Family event is scheduled for April 26 th. One Family has been awarded a Bristol Case grant to hire an individual to assist with organization and work cohesively with the volunteers. The position will be discussed at the next One Family Board meeting on April 15th. Rev. Ron has purchased nine chairs and six 8-foot tables for One Family events. Warden s Reports: Barbara moved to recommend the parish again participate in the Green Gant improvement program and form a Creation Care team consisting of Marian, Lyn, Martha and Evelyn as treasurer. Judy 2 nd and the motion carried. Lyn distributed and reviewed the Green Grant priorities (see attachment) as our wish list exceeds the monies available. After discussion Barbara made a motion to approve the Creation Care Grant proposal, as prioritized. Rich 2 nd and the motion carried. Clergy Reports: Rev. Meghan talked about the overnight retreat with the confirmands and talked about how to keep teens coming to church. She reflected on the retreat and the sense of prayer & praise, the honesty and trust of the teens and openness to form new friendships. 9

10 She thanked the By-Law Committee, the Creation Care committee, Stewardship committee and those that went on the weekend retreat with the confirmands. Closing Prayer: Rich closed the meeting by leading us in Prayer. The next Vestry meeting will be May 27, 2014 at 7:00pm. HONORING BISHOP TOM Respectfully Submitted, Martha Lingard, Clerk Share your gratitude and memories with Bishop Tom with a note, artwork, photo or??? There are sheets of paper available in Parish Hall sized to be taped into the book to be presented to him on June 21st. Please return your submission by Sunday, June 15th. EUCHARISTIC AND PICNIC CELEBRATING BISHOP TOM S MINISTRY All in the diocesan community are invited to gather at the Pine Bank Promontory at Jamaica Pond, Boston on Saturday, June 21st at 10:30AM for a Eucharistic celebration and picnic to honor Bishop Tom s ministry. More information and R.S.V.P. are available at HEAL THE EARTH, PLANT A TREE HONORING BISHOP TOM Alleluia! Spring has sprung. God has blessed us once again. This great earth he has given us has transformed itself into a glorious palette of colors and textures. It is like the movie The Secret Garden where we enter from a world of black and white and grey into a paradise of brilliant color. As God s Stewards of this earth, there is a lot we can do to protect this precious gift: reducing waste, avoiding use of harmful chemicals, and planting trees. Our Diocese is asking us to do just that, plant trees, to honor the Episcopacy of Bishop Shaw: In this Season of Service to honor Bishop Shaw's Episcopacy and his passionate ministry and dedication to Justice, a group of Creation Care Advocates is inviting congregations and individuals to honor and help heal the Earth by planting trees. We ask that congregations plant and bless a tree (trees) in Bishop Tom's honor any Sunday in June after services - a sort of extended rogation season. We also encourage persons and families to plant a tree at home, work or school. Justice for the Earth is served when carbon emissions are absorbed by our trees and reduced by other means of conservation and clean energy. 10

11 ONGOING ALL SAINTS MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES Acolytes We are thankful for our acolytes, including crucifiers, who assist at the altar on Sunday mornings. If you have a child in 6th grade or older, he/she is eligible to serve in this ministry. For more information, contact Rev. Meghan. Nursery A safe and caring environment is provided for children through the age of 3 during the 10AM service. Attleboro Area Council of Churches Boxes of cereal, juice boxes and nonperishable food items are being collected by the Attleboro Area Council of Churches. If you can donate to this on going project, please bring the items to church and leave them on the pew in the back of the church. Ushers & Greeters Ushers and Greeters welcome parishioners and guests and perform various functions during services. Volunteers are always needed. Contact Rev. Meghan. Sunday School Would you be interested in teaching a structured Sunday School program? Please speak with Marian Cote. Fellowship Coffee Hour is held after services on Sunday mornings in the Parish Hall. Please wear your name tag or see a Vestry member if you don t have one. Volunteers are needed see Lyn Darling or Marian Cote. Lay Eucharistic Ministers Lay Eucharistic Ministers are those that help our priest lead Sunday worship services. Duties include administering the chalice during the Holy Eucharist. If interested, see Rev. Meghan. Property and Grounds The Property and Grounds committee is responsible for the care of our Church building and grounds which include, but not limited to, maintenance, minor repairs, and grounds care. Contact Marian Cote. Lectors If you don t mind reading in front of others, this ministry is for you. Lectors read the appointed lessons and prayers during the Sunday Worship Service. If interested, speak with Rev. Meghan. Altar Guild & Altar Flowers Please speak with Elaine Blackburn and Becky Dailey if you are interested in ministering through the Altar Guild. For Altar Flowers, contact Judy Little at to discuss open Sundays. A $35 memorial donation for flowers is requested. 11

12 Calendar for June 2014 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Seventh Sunday of Easter Cub Scouts Al Anon Boy Scouts Pentecost /Baptisms Cub Scouts 6:30pm One Family Planning Meeting Al-Anon Boy Scouts First Sunday after Pentecost 3pm Finance Committee 7pm Vestry Meeting Boy Scouts Cub Scouts Al Anon 22 Second Sunday after Pentecost Cub Scouts Nativity of St. John the Baptist Al-Anon Boy Scouts 27 6:30pm One Family Packing & Set Up 9-11am One Family Third Sunday after Pentecost Every Sunday 2-5PM 12

13 Calendar for July 2014 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Independence Day 7:30pm Al-Anon Fourth Sunday after Pentecost Al-Anon Fifth Sunday after Pentecost Al-Anon Sixth Sunday after Pentecost Mary Magdalene St. James, Apostle 9-11am One Family Al-Anon Seventh Sunday after Pentecost Al-Anon Every Sunday 2-5PM 13

14 Calendar for August 2014 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Eighth Sunday after Pentecost The Transfiguration Al-Anon 11:15am Book Group Ninth Sunday after Pentecost Deadline for newsletter St. Mary, the Virgin Al-Anon 11:15am Book Group 17 Tenth Sunday after Pentecost 11:15am Book Group Al-Anon am One Family Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost Al-Anon 11:15am Book Group 31 Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost Every Sunday 2-5PM 11:15am Book Group 14