A Season of Reflection and Generosity Fall is one of my favorite seasons of the year. Not only do all of the other members of my family celebrate their birthdays during the month of October, it's a time of tremendous change: leaves turning their vivid color, temperatures going from the mid 60's to the mid 80's, the last flowers of the year still clinging on, pumpkins and mums all around us, brilliantly blue skies and dull gray days - a season of extremes - which makes living in New England so enjoyable at this time of year. Fall is also the time of year when we begin our stewardship campaign, coming together as a community of faith here at St. John's Church to determine how we can collectively meet the financial needs of this parish. It is a time when we need to celebrate the wonderful ministries taking place - through our worship service, Godly Play, and outreach ministries such as The Open Door Soup Kitchen, Neighbor to Neighbor and The Jesse Tree to name a few. It is a time when we need to look at who we are here now, pray and reflect on what God is asking us to do in the future, and discern what we want our ministries to be. It will, and should, take thoughtful, reflective, and prayerful time. What type of stewards should we be? Our life, our families, our freedom, our talents, and whatever other measure of wealth we have attained all comes from the grace of a very generous God. With those gifts, God calls us to be a blessing to others by generously giving our gifts. Faithful stewardship involves the giving of our time, talent, and treasure in thanksgiving to God and for the mission and ministry of our St. John's Parish and the greater Episcopal Church. It is an invitation to joy, not merely as a duty or obligation. Stewardship is an expression of our love to God for blessing us with so many gifts. It is a bold commitment to the call of Christ to "build my church". It is through the generous stewardship of each of us that the Body of Christ is equipped to spread the Gospel throughout Northwest Connecticut and the world. During this most beautiful season of the year as we rejoice for all of our blessings, please prayerfully consider what you can give. If you are not currently pledging, please consider doing so. If you are a pledging member,please consider increasing your pledge by whatever amount you can so that we can build our beautiful church and expand upon the ministries God is calling us to do. Blessings and Peace, Kevin D. Case Stewardship Committee Chair
Transforming the World with God's Love Community Art Project is up and growing. Please bring in your hearts. Think about these three questions:Where have you taken God's love into the world? Where have you received God's love? Where have you seen others share God's love?
Upcoming Reminders
UPCOMING CALENDAR EVENTS TO NOTE: Dates to Note Red Door Youth - Mark your calendars - October 25th, November 29th, December 20th, January 24th, February 28th, March 28th, April 25th, and May 23rd from 4:30pm to 6pm. Middle School students and up are invited. Vestry Meeting - Our vestry next meets on Thursday, October 25th. Please hold us in your prayers. Annual Convention of the Episcopal Church in Connecticut takes place on October 19 and 20 in Mystic. St. John's will be represented by Anne Hall, Bob Osborne, and Mother Cosman. October Collection - Coats, shoes, boots, mittens and hats - Distributed to The Open Door Soup Kitchen, Winsted. Open Door Soup Kitchen - Next date: October 20th at St. James in Winsted. (9:00am-1:00pm) 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. New Hartford Volunteer Ambulance Explorer Post #379 Spaghetti Dinner - A buffet style meal including pasta, salad, bread, drinks, and dessert. Saturday, November 3rd from 5-8pm at the Pine Meadow Fire House. $10 for adults; $8 for Children and Seniors (65 & over); Under 5 yrs old free. Donations are accepted and appreciated. See Mary Healey or James-Paul Forbes for tickets. 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. STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN: WE NEED YOUR HELP! Our Campaign continues. There is still time to make a pledge for 2018! In order to make a pledge, please fill out a pledge card and mail it to 51 Church Street Pine Meadow, CT 06061 or place your pledge card in the collection plate at service. We are grateful to all those who continue to support the parish and its ministries so generously. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Open Door Soup Kitchen -Join our team for October 20th at St. James in Winsted. (9:00am-1:00pm). No Open Door in September. Bell Ringers - sign up to toll the tower bell for worship to begin our 9am worship. Coffee Hour Volunteers - Show hospitality by hosting our social time together following worship. Co-hosting with another person or family is encouraged. GARDEN SCHOLARSHIP - Accepting candidates for the 2018 St. John's Garden Scholarship as of March 15th, 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 Notes
Parish Finances YTD as of October 7, 2018 2018 Pledges $184,658 2018 Budget: $207,145
Your faithful stewardship provides for the work of God's Mission here at St. John's and in the world. Your generous donations are appreciated. Mother Cosman
Participants for October 14, 2018
Please let the office know of substitutions. Thanks. 8:00 AM Chalice - Howie Martin