Dear St. John's family,
As Lent approaches next week, perhaps you are contemplating something to give up during the season. I received this statement from a friend and thought Pope Francis's words were meaningful for all faiths.
Do You Want to Fast this Lent?
In the words of Pope Francis
- Fast from hurting words and say kind words
- Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude
- Fast from anger and be filled with patience
- Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope
- Fast from worries and have trust in God
- Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity
- Fast from pressures and be prayerful
- Fast from bitterness and fill your hearts with joy
- Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others
- Fast from grudges and be reconciled
- Fast from words and be silent so you can listen
Blessings to you this week and as you begin to prepare for Lent!
Beth Coates
Vestry
UPCOMING EVENTS
Cherry Brook Eucharist - The second Tuesday of each month at 3:30pm we will join with residents of Cherry Brook to celebrate the season. Communion, songs, and fellowship will be shared. Our next gathering is Tuesday, March 10th. Please join us!
Open Door Soup Kitchen
- March 21st at St. James in Winsted. (9:00am-1:00pm)
Tuesday, February 25th at 7pm the NWR7 Jazz Bands will perform their annual Mardi Gras Concert followed by an Ice Cream Social. Please join us for an evening of music, fellowship, and fun!
If you are hankering for Shove Tuesday pancakes, visit Trinity Torrington at 5:00pm and then join us for jazz at St. John's!
Ash Wednesday Services - Wednesday, February 26th at noon and 7:30pm.
St. John's Vestry will meet on Thursday, February 27th following the 6:30pm Healing Eucharist.
Lent Madness Inspired by college basketball tournaments, Lent Madness pits 32 saints against each other in a bracket, as each saint seeks to win the coveted Golden Halo. Throughout Lent, fans vote for their favorite saints at www.lentmadness.org. Brackets are available online at LentMadness.org or in the narthex.
WHITE FRAGILITY - SECOND TUESDAYS WITH TUESDAY - Join in on this new online NW Region Book Discussion held the 2nd Tuesday of each month. The Rev. Tuesday Rupp will lead our next session on March 10th from 12-1pm. Contact Dylan Mello at DMEllo@EpiscpalCT.org for more information and how to join in.
The Way of Love Lenten Calendar Pray - Worship - Learn - Go - Bless - Rest Copies are available in the narthex and parish hall.
Dwelling in the Word - Start your day exploring the Gospels together Thursdays at 10:30am at the church.
DWELLING AT NIGHT Explore the Gospels of Lent together Thursdays March 5,12,&19 at 7pm at the New Hartford Diner
Minister of Communion Training - For those interested, training will take place on March 29th between the services (9:00am). See Mother Cosman for more information.
Holy Communion Workshop - For those interested, this will take place on March 22nd. See Mother Cosman for more information.
Seder Experience with Rabbi Donna Berman Explore this beautiful Jewish Passover ritual service and ceremonial dinner April 2nd at 6:30pm in the parish hall.
Friday at the Movies - Not one, but Two Popes, tales of Narnia and popcorn! March 6th and April 3rd at 7pm.
The Way of the Cross - Ancient Christian devotion with a modern twist, including Janet McKenzie's prints. Stay tuned!
Equipping the Saints for Mission March 7, 2020 from 9am to 3pm St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Riverside.
See Mother Cosman or the poster in the parish hall for registration information.
2020 Altar Flowers - The 2020 Calendar is up in the narthex for Altar flowers sign up. There are plenty of dates available. Suggested donation is $60.
04/18 ECCT'S SPRING TRAINING at Berlin High School (139 Patterson Way, Berlin). Join hundreds of other Episcopalians in CT for a day of fellowship, learning, prayer and fun. All are welcome: people in the pews to vestry members to parish leaders & staff!! Some workshop categories include: christian formation; social justice and advocacy; communications; spiritual practices; leadership; stewardship; parish operations; worship; racial healing, justice and reconciliation. Registration opens later this month: EpiscopalCT.org/Spring-Training.
Save The Dates: June 7 - Charlie the Magician, July 12th - Norfolk/Yale Quintet and November 15th - Chorus Angelicus and Gaudemaus.
Our fund-raising committee needs your HELP! In order to meet our goals as a committee, we need additional volunteers. The vestry and our fellow parishioners have been very supportive of our fund-raising activities and concert series. There is a strong desire to expand our musical concert series in order to continue our goal of providing outreach to the local communities. Please contact Jeff Linton or Susie Horn if you wish to join this worthy and active group.
Winter Weather - Watch WFSB or visit WFSB.com for weather related announcements regarding cancellations. Please use your best judgement about traveling in inclement weather and be careful and safe!
Coffee Hour Volunteers - Show hospitality by setting up the coffee and bringing along a small carton of creamer and something sweet or savory to share, and straightening up the hall and kitchen before departing. Co-hosting with another person or family is encouraged.
Hospitality - Please be sure to check in on Facebook and wear your name tag! Help us to reach out to members of our community via social media and to remind us of the names of our members and friends.
Bell Ringers - Sign up to toll the tower bell for worship.
TREASURER'S NOTE:
Due to bad weather in January, we are behind on our 2020 pledge fulfillment. It is not too late to make a pledge. Pledge sheets are in the narthex.
Participants for February 23, 2020:
Please let the office know of substitutions. Thanks.
8:00 AM Chalice - Gordon Ross
10:00AM Chalice - Jamie Hall
8:00 AM Lector - Gordon Ross
10:00AM Lector - Guy Hayes
10:00AM Intercessor - Jamie Hall
8:00AM Greeters - Winnie Pratt & Howie Martin
10:00AM Greeters - Laura Frey & Maryelen Wielock
Vestry Greeter - Ann Atwood
Coffee Hour Hosts: Volunteer Needed
Altar Guild (Feb) - Laura Frey, Joan Peresada,
Donna Colavecchio
Nursery Staff - Audrey Coates
Counters - Betty Castonguay
Ginny Hoffmann
Godly Play Storyteller: Pretzel Sunday
Godly Play Doorkeeper: Pretzel Sunday
Blessings & Peace,
The Rev. Sandra L. Cosman
St. John's Church
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