Dear Saint John's, As I write to you this morning, I am in Portland, OR for an intensive training program, The Art of Hosting. With one day completed and another about to start, my head is swimming with new and creative ways for us to come together and work together to participate in God's Mission. Let me be clear-- St. John's is blessed with a wonderful and dedicated leadership team and a community of folks who are willing to step up and help when asked. We are truly blessed.
What is also clear is that people receive and process information differently than we did even 10 years ago. For God's Word to be heard more fully we need to communicate in ways that share information, spark interest, and engage the whole community in our shared endeavors.
The Art of Hosting has been, for me, an opportunity to consider what we could do better or differently. I will come back to Connecticut with information to share, experiments to try on, and aware of how blessed I am to be with all of you.
Know that you and those you love remain in my prayers while we are apart.
Blessings,
Sandra+
For those of you who can't wait to hear from me here is a bit of information about AoH:
ART OF HOSTING INTENSIVE: TRANSFORMING THE WAY WE LEAD We all desire more effective meetings and practices for working better together amidst times of rapid change and high complexity. We are seeking processes, tools and engagement strategies that bring out the best in our communities, foster deeper collaboration, and create more meaningful impact. Transforming the Way We Lead is about: * Navigating Complex Challenges * Moving Beyond Business As Usual * Facilitating Creative Conversation * Transforming Group Dynamics
Who is this for? If you engage with groups as a participant or facilitator, Art of Hosting will open up new avenues for enjoying your leadership practice and creating more effective group process. What is the Art of Hosting? The Art of Hosting is a worldwide practice, born out of the field of large group facilitation, where self-organization and "a leader in every seat" are core principles. An Art of Hosting learning event includes some of the following methodologies: Art of Hosting learning events often include some of the following: World Cafe, Open Space Technology, PeerSpirit Circle, Pro-Action Cafe, Knowledge Camp, and Collective Story Harvest In addition, participants bring their real questions and challenges and we select from a variety of additional tools and methodologies so you can develop your own hosting practice. We may explore any of the following: Applied Improvisation, Participatory Decision Making, Cynefin Framework, Appreciative Inquiry, Living Systems, Theory U, Chaordic Design, Complex Adaptive Systems, Emergence Why attend the Art of Hosting? The Art of Hosting allows us to ask and answer powerful questions, such as: * What kind of leadership is most effective in today's world? * How do we work creatively with relationships and diversity? * How can we socially innovate in the face of complex and shifting systems? * How we can we deepen our understanding and practice of listening and collaboration?
You will have the opportunity to: * Practice what you learn * Transform conflict into creative cooperation * Engage all stakeholders in meaningful conversations * Enhance your ability to see and address difficult questions * Learn to design and implement the Art of Hosting methodologies * Understand how to scale strategic conversations for small and large initiatives * Connect with other leaders and explore how you can work more powerfully together
The Rev. Sandra L. Cosman, Rector Saint John's - The Episcopal Church in Pine Meadow
Fundraising Events Dear Fellow Parishioners:
Our vestry and the fundraising committee decided to truly look outside the box, and in faith, take a leap into something new and different. One of the goals of fundraising is not simply to raise money but to also open our doors to the larger community so that we may welcome more people to our beloved and beautiful church. To that end we are putting on a set of concerts using both the church and the garden. The first concert will be a quartet from the Yale Summer Music program in Norfolk; this will be on July 14th. The second will be Chorus Angelicus in November.
We will be selling tickets for these events. However, there are some upfront costs associated with the concerts: an honorarium to the musicians and their transportation. To that end, we are looking for sponsors to help fund the concert series, any donation is welcome. If we can get sufficient sponsors then our ticket sales for the actual events will be complete profit. The total cost is $2700.
We are looking forward to these events as a way of making St John's better known in the local community; the love of music goes far beyond our own doors.
We hope to both have a wonderful set of concerts and, of course on a practical note, allow as many people as possible to participate in supporting the parish. For more detailed information on sponsorship, please contact Jeff Linton at 860-489-8506 or at jlinton1966@gmail.com
UPCOMING CALENDAR EVENTS TO NOTE:
Dates to Note
Vestry Meeting - Our vestry next meets Thursday, June 27th. Please hold us in your prayers.
Congratulations Graduates! - Join us on Sunday, June 9th as we recognize and celebrate our graduates! Please forward the names of graduates special to you to the parish office.
Godly Play - Programming year will end on June 9th.
Fathers' Day at St. John's - Please join us for Pops4Pops on June 16th.
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.
Confirmation, Reception, and Re-affirmation of Baptismal Vows Classes. Please see Mother Cosman if you are interested to discuss dates and times.
Camp Washington If you have kids or grandkids, please consider this summer activity. See Mother Cosman for scholarship information.
St. John's Little Free Pantry needs canned goods, non-perishables, personal hygiene items for men and women, cleaning supplies and toiletries. We could also use brown paper or plastic bags for carrying the items. Thank you!
Lego Christian Education - Do you or your kids love Lego blocks? See Mother Cosman about an opportunity to join building with Legos and Christian Formation.
Lay Weeders - Do you love gardening and getting your hands in the dirt? Sign up in the narthex or see Norma Pappalardo to volunteer in the Gill Memorial Garden.
Annual Northwest Region Convocation - Saturday, June 22nd at Trinity Retreat Center in Cornwall. We need deputation for this meeting. See Mother Cosman for more information.
Volunteer Opportunities - Third Saturday morning every month - Work with members of the Open Door Soup Kitchen Team to provide lunch for up to 40 members of our community who need food assistance.
Volunteer Opportunities - Thursday Mornings - Work with members of the St. John's Cleaning Crew to help keep our buildings beautiful and in good repair. See Ron Caine or Tom Chappell for more information.
Camp Washington If you have kids or grandkids, please consider this summer activity. See Mother Cosman for scholarship information
Peach Festival - August 24th - Peach Festival Committee and volunteers needed. Please contact the office for more information.
Baptism Preparation - June 9th is the next date appointed by the Episcopal Church of the Sacrament of Baptism. See Mother Cosman if you are interested in baptism for you or your child.
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
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 May 26, 2019 2019 Pledges $177,455 2019 Budget: $208,809
Pledges Received: $ 86,434 YTD Actuals:*
Pledge Goal: $ 72,852 Operating Revenue:$98,170
Difference: $ 13,582 Operating Expense:$69,863
Difference: $28,307 *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 June 9, 2019:
Please let the office know of substitutions. Thanks.
9:00 AM Chalice - Blake Hall
9:00AM Lector - Jamie Hall 9:00AM Intercessor - Blake Hall
9:00 AM Greeters - Sue Hall
Vestry Greeter - Beth Coates
Coffee Hour Hosts: Sue Hall
Altar Guild (June) - Barbara Henri & Laura Frey
Nursery Staff - Mary Healey
Counters - Norma Pappalardo & Chris Osborne
Lay Weeder (Week of June 9th): Volunteer Needed
Godly Play Storyteller: Linda Snyder Godly Play Doorkeeper: Volunteer Needed