Easter Message from the Bishops "Claiming Alleluia"
April 18, 2019
Dear Companions in Christ,
Happy Easter! Blessings on this most Holy of Days! The story of the Resurrection of Jesus claims our day, and our lives! Alleluia! We claim and proclaim Alleluia!
We claim the truth of the Resurrection in the honest light of our present stories. What a week we have had. What a Holy Week! Our journey to the cross this year has included our grief at the death of our brother Jack Spaeth, faithful servant to the Episcopal Church in Connecticut for decades, while the same day we watched the historic Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris become engulfed in flames. We hold these two losses and countless others as we journey to the cross witnessing the death of our Lord on Good Friday. Our stories mingling with Christ's story, our tears a mixture of emotions for the past and for our present as well.
But our faith is an Easter faith! Jesus Christ is Risen from the dead! The tomb is empty, the hope is true! God is the God of compassion and new life and we claim that joy! We see it in the resurrection of our Lord! We know it when we think about our dear friend Jack Spaeth now embraced in the arms of the God he served so well. We know it in the reality that Notre Dame, a Cathedral that has held the prayers of countless pilgrims from around the world for centuries, faithful men and women praying to the God of resurrection, will be restored and have new life.
Claiming Alleluia is an audacious act of life in the face of death. We are to claim such life in our own lives and then share it with others. Mary at the tomb, believing in the truth of the resurrection went and told others what she had seen and heard. Our Alleluias must do the same! Proclaiming Alleluia in word and action, speaking out against injustice and binding up the broken-hearted.
The world needs our Alleluia. God is calling us to claim it and proclaim it! The tomb is empty. New life is real. How shall you claim and proclaim this glorious truth?
Alleluia! Christ is Risen! The Lord is Risen indeed!
The Rt. Rev. Ian T. Douglas The Rt. Rev. Laura J. Ahrens Bishop Diocesan Bishop Suffragan
Burial Services - Paul Pobuda & Eileen Bartram
Paul Pobuda's Burial Service will be Saturday April 27th at 11am at Pine Grove Cemetary.
Burial for Eileen Bartram will be Friday, May 3rd at 1:00PM at Bakerville Cemetary (Behind Bakerville Library). Church Celebration of her life will be Saturday at 2:00PM at St. John's Church in Pine Meadow.
UPCOMING CALENDAR EVENTS TO NOTE:
Dates to Note
Red Door Youth - Mark your calendars - April 25th, and May 23rd from 4:30pm to 6pm. Middle School students and up are invited.
Vestry Meeting - Our vestry next meets this Thursday, April 25th. Please hold us in your prayers.
Open Door Soup Kitchen -Next date: May 18th at St. James in Winsted. (9:00am-1:00pm).
Confirmation, Reception, and Re-affirmation of Baptismal Vows Classes - will begin after the Christmas. Please see Mother Cosman if you are interested to discuss dates and times.
ST. JOHN'S LITTLE FREE PANTRY -Cooler temperatures have arrived! While we continue to stock our inside Pantry with many food items, here are just a few suggestions for stocking our outside LFP during the cooler months: Hand Warmers, Chap Stick, Kleenex, Gloves, Hot Cocoa, Toothbrushes, Playing Cards (new or used), Cough Drops, Coloring Books, Vitamin C Drops, Hygiene Products.
St. John's Pet Memorial Garden - has been dedicated is available to receive the cremains for your beloved pets. You may lay your pets to rest privately or speak to Mother Cosman for help.
Save The Date - 7th Annual Spring Training & Gathering - Saturday, April 27, 2019 - 9am-4pm, Lincoln Middle School, 164 Centennial Avenue, Meriden, CT
ECW Annual Meeting - May 4th at The Aquaturf in Southington. More information is available in the parish hall. Please sign up if you would like to join us.
Safe Church Training - St. John's will be hosting a Safe Church Training Class on May 4th from 9am - 11:30AM. Registrants need to arrive at 8:30am. Please see Mother Sandra or Michelle with any questions.
Save the Date - Saturday, May 11, 2019. Come celebrate Linda Spier's legacy at Trinity Episcopal Church in Collinsville. A wonderful celebration is being planned for Linda. The event will take place from 4-7pm.
Celebration for 50th Wedding Anniversaries - Sunday, May 19; 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM, Christ Church Cathedral will host a Golden Wedding Anniversary Celebration for couples married for fifty years (or more). Liturgy will include renewal of marriage vows and presentation of commemorative certificates to all couples. A reception will follow. Bishops Douglas and Ahrens will be present to celebrate with all the couples at this joyful service. Please contact the office if you are interested.
Bishop's Visitation - The Rt. Rev. Ian Douglas, Bishop Diocesan, will be with us on Sunday, June 23, 2019. During this time the bishop will meet with the vestry and parish leaders and lead worship, including Confirmation, Reception, and Reaffirmation.
Coffee Hour at The Commons - An ECCT podcast Please subscribe to Coffee Hour at The Commons, where faith meets daily life in conversation, stories, and even some sermons. Available now on Apple Podcast, Stitcher, Google Play, or listen on the ECCT website at www.coffeehour.org.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Open Door Soup Kitchen -Join our team for May 18th at St. James in Winsted. (9:00am-1:00pm).
Volunteers Needed - Valley Thrift Shop is in need of volunteers as little as 3 hours. Please see Diane Hayes if interested.
Coffee Drinkers and Morning Snack Lovers Needed - If morning noshes are part of your way of being in the world, please consider signing up to host coffee hour!
GARDEN SCHOLARSHIP - Accepting candidates for the 2020 St. John's Garden Scholarship, see detailed info regarding the scholarship posted on the bulletin boards and call Norma Pappalardo 860-944-5541 or e-mail nbpapp@aol.com to sign-up to become eligible.
TREASURER'S NOTE: Parish Finances YTD as of April 14, 2019 2019 Pledges $177,455 2019 Budget: $208,809
Pledges Received: $ 61,008 YTD Actuals:*
Pledge Goal: $ 51,789 Operating Revenue:$75,459
Difference: $ 9,219 Operating Expense:$53,134
Difference: $22,325 *includes all prepaid pledges
Thanks to everyone for their generous giving. If you have not pledged for 2019, it is not too late. Pledge sheets are in the narthex. Thank you. Diane Hayes, Treasurer
Participants for April 28, 2019:
Please let the office know of substitutions. Thanks.
8:00 AM Chalice - Howie Martin 10:00AM Chalice - Stan Moraski
8:00AM Lector - Bob Osborne 10:00AM Lector - Donna Colavecchio 10:00AM Intercessor - Ami Hinman
8:00 AM Greeters - Rose & Bob Osborne 10:00AM Greeters: Bobbie Krohner & Larry Espinet